Adopt a Shiba.
Start with your home.
Tell us about your home and what you are looking for in a dog. We will talk through whether a Shiba is a good fit.
By submitting this application you certify the information is true and complete, you authorize us to contact your references, and you understand that every adult in your household will need to sign a Household Acknowledgment before the application moves forward. Read the full adoption process.
Start the conversation.
Tell us about your home. We will review your inquiry and contact you about the next step.
A Shiba is not for everyone.
Shibas are stubborn, independent and prey-driven. They can escape through an open door or an unsecured fence. They need daily exercise, secure containment, patient training and a household prepared for the breed.
We will talk honestly about your routine and the kind of dog that could fit it. Deciding a Shiba is not right for you is a useful outcome too.
Your adoption path.
A practical overview. Read the full adoption process for screening, paperwork and transfer requirements.
Shiba Match Form
Tell us about your household, home, experience with dogs and daily routine.
A conversation about fit
Discuss the breed, ask questions and talk through what would make a suitable match.
Screening and the Priority Waitlist
Review the application requirements. If approved, discuss waitlist and deposit terms before deciding to join.
Meet a potential match
Learn the known history, health and behavior of the dog. Ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.
Written terms and handover
Review the adoption agreement, payment policy, records and care instructions before transfer.
Settling in and followup
Ask what support is included, share questions about settling in and discuss separate behavior services if needed.
A home ready for a Shiba.
We are looking for honest, prepared and committed. A useful application describes the home you actually have.
A household that agrees.
Everyone living with the dog needs to be part of the decision. Discuss expectations, responsibilities and other pets before applying.
A realistic daily routine.
Make room for walks, training, mental work and family time. Tell us about work schedules and how the dog will be cared for.
An indoor family companion.
Plan for your Shiba to live indoors as part of the household, with secure doors, gates and outdoor access.
Patience and ongoing care.
Be prepared for an independent dog, a settling-in period and the continuing cost of food, veterinary care and support when needed.
Care, costs and commitment.
Ask us for the current adoption fee, what it covers and the applicable payment and refund terms before committing.
Sponsorship helps cover care costs so adoption stays affordable. It does not guarantee a specific fee reduction.
See how sponsorship works- Veterinary care
- Exams, vaccinations, parasite care and other veterinary needs, depending on the dog.
- Day-to-day care
- Food, foster supplies and the practical cost of caring for a dog before placement.
- Transport
- Getting a Shiba to care, appointments and the next stage of placement.
- Preparation and matching
- Behavior support where needed, household conversations and placement coordination.
Know the dog you are considering.
Ask for a clear picture of what is known and what remains uncertain. A dog is an individual, not a promise about future health or behavior.
Read the adoption process- Known history and routine. Where the dog has lived, what daily life looks like and what may help with settling in.
- Veterinary records. Discuss examinations, vaccinations, microchip information, medications and any known health conditions.
- Behavior and compatibility. Ask about other pets, children, handling, resource guarding, separation and escape behavior.
- Written terms and followup. Review the agreement, payment and refund terms, return obligations and what support is included.
Need to rehome your Shiba?
Tell us about your Shiba, your situation and your timing. Read the dedicated rehoming page for care arrangements and the applicable process.
Rehome your ShibaA conversation first.
A match when it fits.
Joining the list is a later adoption step. Begin with the same Shiba Match Form.
- 01 · Introduce your home
Start with the form.
Tell us about your household and talk through whether a Shiba could fit.
- 02 · Review the terms
Discuss the waitlist.
If approved, the waitlist deposit is $200. It is fully refundable if we never find you a match and fully credited toward your adoption fee if we do. Read the payment terms before joining. Payment arrangements remain contact-first.
- 03 · Consider the dog
Wait for a suitable fit.
A place on the list does not guarantee a particular dog or placement date. A match depends on the dog and your household.
Before you apply.
Questions are welcome. You do not need every answer before the first conversation. Email us.
Does applying reserve a dog?
No. An application starts the review process. Approval and a waitlist place do not guarantee a particular dog or placement date.
How long will I wait?
The answer depends on the dogs entering care and the fit with your household. Discuss expectations with us rather than planning around a promised date.
What if the fee is difficult for my family?
Tell us before committing. Sponsorship helps cover care costs, but it does not guarantee a particular reduction or sponsored price.
What happens after adoption?
Review the followup and return terms before signing. Contact us about settling in, and ask which support is included and which services are separate.
Explore behavior support