Mid-America Bully Breed Rescue
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Adoption Process

Your New Best Friend Is Waiting!

If you’re ready to open your heart and home to a bully breed, it’s time to begin the adoption process.

Rednose pit bull in living room

When you’ve found the dog (or dogs) you’re interested in, the first step is to fill out our adoption application. Once we receive it, one of our adoption specialists will reach out within about 72 hours — sometimes a little longer during busy periods.

Because MABBR doesn’t have a physical shelter, our dogs aren’t available for public viewing — but once we’ve reviewed your application and believe you’re a great match, we’ll set up a private meet-and-greet. This approach helps us protect our dogs and respect the privacy of their foster families.

You can also meet many of our dogs in person at public events, which we post regularly on our Facebook page — we’d love to see you there!

Adoption Application

How it Works

Step 1: Phone Interview

Once we’ve reviewed your application, one of our adoption specialists will contact you to schedule a casual phone interview.
We’ll chat about your home, lifestyle, and the dog you’re interested in to make sure it’s a good potential match.

During this step, we’ll also:

  • Verify your references
  • Contact your veterinarian
  • Confirm that your area is safe for bully breeds

Step 2: Home Visit

If everything looks like a good fit, we’ll schedule a home visit. This visit helps us get to know you better and gives you a chance to meet the dog you’ve applied for. It’s also the perfect time to see how your potential new family member interacts with everyone in your household. Your adoption specialist will:
  • Offer breed-specific education and safety tips
  • Point out any areas that might need attention to keep your dog secure
  • Answer your questions about welcoming your new friend

Step 3: Trial Adoption

If it feels like a match, we’ll begin a two-week trial adoption. This gives both you and your new dog time to adjust, build trust, and make sure it truly feels like home. At the end of the trial, your adoption specialist will check in to see how things are going. If it’s a great fit, we’ll finalize the adoption and officially welcome you to the MABBR family.

We know it may seem like a lot of steps, but every part of the process is designed to make sure each dog finds a forever home where they’ll be loved and safe.

After Adoption

We know it may seem like a lot of steps, but every part of the process is designed to make sure each dog finds a forever home where they’ll be loved and safe.

Once the adoption is complete (and after a few happy tears from our volunteers!), we stay in touch. We’re always here to answer questions, offer support, or celebrate milestones with you.

Each adoption doesn’t just change one dog’s life — it saves two. Your new best friend gets a loving home, and you make room for another bully in need to be rescued.

While getting a dog from a breeder might seem easier, adopting a rescue helps reduce overpopulation and gives a second chance to a deserving pup. We believe dogs are family — and we place them as such.

A blue pit bull in a fenced yard

Adoption Fees

We work hard to keep our adoption fees affordable while still providing excellent care for every dog in our program.

Minimum adoption fee: $225

Adoption Application

Our adoption fee helps cover vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchipping, and medical care.

You are of course welcome to donate any amount above $225! Every dollar helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome more amazing dogs — and all additional donations are tax-deductible.

Adoption FAQs

Our adoption fee is $225. Anything over $225 is considered a donation and is tax deductible.
MABBR is run by volunteers and most of our dogs are being fostered in homes throughout Kansas and Missouri. We frequently have events where the dogs are present for the public to meet them.
The length of the process depends upon several factors. One of MABBR’s adoption specialists will try to respond to you within 72 hours of completing your application to set up a day and time to speak with you on the phone. Then we check your vet and personal references. Once those tasks are complete, we will arrange to do a home check on a date that accommodates everyone involved. Since most of our volunteers have full-time jobs, families and animals of their own, it may take some time to schedule a mutually convenient day and time to do a home visit. However, we do our best to make the process as smooth and quick as possible.
MABBR volunteers do all we can to work with all applicants regardless of where you live, provided the city you live in does not have restrictions or a ban on pit bulls. However, we must be able to complete a home visit. If we have a volunteer or contact in your area that can assist with this, we will do our best to try to facilitate long-distance adoptions. Out-of-state adoptions do require more effort from the prospective adoptive family and MABBR does require long-distance adopters to travel to Kansas City to meet their potential new family member.
You do not have to be a homeowner to adopt a dog from us. However, we will verify with your landlord / housing authority that your lease or rental agreement allows you to adopt a dog and that there are no restrictions against having a pit bull. If you decide to relocate, trying to find a place to rent that allows pit bulls can be difficult and expensive. Many rental companies charge hefty deposit fees and additional monthly fees to have a dog.

Adoption Tips

Adopting a Pit Bull is an exciting, life-changing decision. Bringing a new companion into your home is a commitment for their entire life, so it’s important to spend time thinking about and researching the breed.

Make sure the breed fits your lifestyle

When choosing a dog, make sure the breed fits your lifestyle. Pit Bulls are strong, active dogs that need regular exercise. Do you have the time and space to provide daily walks or playtime? Is your home and neighborhood safe and suitable for your new companion?

Consider the long-term

Life changes happen — new jobs, moves, growing families — but adopting a dog means committing to keep them through all stages of life. The average life expectancy of a Pit Bull is 14–16 years, so think ahead to ensure your dog will fit into your plans.

Check Your Homeowner's Insurance

Check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to make sure your pet is covered. If necessary, are you willing to find a policy that works with your new dog?

Do you have time for training?

Pit Bulls are incredibly rewarding companions. They are eager to please, smart, and quick learners. With proper training, socialization, and leadership, they can thrive in almost any home. Adopting a Pit Bull means dedicating time and energy to helping them become a well-mannered, happy family member.

Adoption Restrictions

At MABBR, we prioritize quality placements over quantity. We will keep dogs in our program as long as it takes — typically 6 months to a year — to ensure they find the perfect “forever” home.

We reserve the right to decline any application if we determine a home is not the best match for a MABBR dog, even if it may otherwise be excellent.

All placements require a completed application, home visit, and signed adoption contract. Additionally, all MABBR dogs are spayed or neutered prior to adoption — no exceptions.