Worth the Wait List

We know that rescuing a puppy can sometimes be a confusing experience.

We have heard from our adopters that not knowing when to apply for a puppy, when the puppy will be available, or if the puppy has already found their forever home can be frustrating. The Worth the Wait List was created to make the puppy placement process more transparent and fair. 

This queue is for adopters already approved to adopt with OTAT PDX who are interested in adopting a puppy, which means a dog under one year old.

There is a one time, non-refundable $50 administrative fee to be added to the list.

Worth the Waitlist Program Steps

Fill out our Adoption Survey. If you have previously been approved to adopt with OTAT PDX, please fill out this update form to apply for a different dog. You do not need a unique ID to fill out the adoption survey if you have never applied to volunteer, foster, or adopt with us before. If you have applied to adopt, foster or volunteer and do not know your unique ID, please email ID@otatpdx.org.

  1. Apply to adopt by filling out our general adoption survey. You will receive an email from otatpdx.org/adopt volunteer Adoption Counselor with your approval status. In some cases, the Adoption Counselor will ask follow-up questions for clarification before approving.

  2. Join Worth the Waitlist Log into your approved adopter record using your unique ID and sign-up for the Worth the Wait List.
    OTAT PDX reserves the right to remove potential adopters from the list and refund the fee if their home is determined not to be a good fit for a puppy.

  3. Wait (it’s worth it!) When a puppy is available for adoption, OTAT PDX will send a SMS (text) message notification to WTWL participants with details about the puppy. If you are interested in the puppy, log into your approved adopter record using your unique ID and indicate your interest in that puppy. If you’re the next person on the list to be interested in that particular puppy, you will be offered an introduction and chance to adopt. Quarterly, we will email everyone on the list to see if they would like to stay on the list. Applicants on the list for more than a year will be removed automatically.

  4. Adoption You will be contacted by an Adoption Counselor if you are the next person on the list interested in that particular puppy. From there, you will follow the normal adoption procedure as outline at otatpdx.org/adoption-process.

Worth the Wait List Program FAQ

  • Please read through our “Are you ready to adopt a puppy?” document before joining the Worth the Wait List.

    Are you ready for a puppy?

  • No, you do not need to join the program in order to adopt a puppy with OTAT PDX, but people in the program will take priority because we know they’ve been waiting patiently.

    After a puppies WTWL interest list has been exhausted, we will move on to our non WTWL adopters.

  • Once you have joined the queue, you will be sent a text message when a puppy is available. If you are interested in the puppy, you will update your record to indicate your interest. If you’re the next person on the list to be interested in that particular puppy, you will be offered an introduction and chance to adopt the puppy.

    We can’t guarantee a particular timeframe for placement. The more specific your parameters for size, gender, breed mix and/or other qualifiers, the longer it will likely take to find a puppy that matches those parameters. Still, we know you can find all types of puppies needing rescue.

  • You can join the WTWL at any time. Please only express interest in specific puppies when you’re ready to adopt.

  • All OTAT PDX dogs are adopted only after their spay/neuter surgery is complete or the appointment with our vet partner has been scheduled. The date of the surgery is non-negotiable.

  • We cannot guarantee the adult size or breed of a puppy. All full grown sizes and breeds are estimates provided by our veterinary and shelter partners.

  • We cannot guarantee the adult energy level of a puppy. Puppies require a lot of training and attention, especially during potty training. If you’re looking for a chill, mellow dog, consider adopting a senior, they have plenty of joy to give.

  • There is a one time, non-refundable $50 administrative fee to be added to the list.