The DOGS in our rescue are our top priority and therefore we will not make exceptions to our policies lightly or easily. We reserve the right to refuse an applicant.

Adoption Procedure

The Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, Inc. adopts to the following states only: NY, NJ, South Central & Eastern PA,  DE, MD, WASH DC., VA, WV, NC, UPSTATE SC. If you live in an area outside our adoption area and are interested in adoption you can find additional rescues groups at the Great Dane Club of America. Because of our home check requirement, we do not adopt out of the areas mentioned above. Please contact your area coordinator if you are interested in adopting.

Adoption Fee

Our adoption fee is $325 for dogs under 1 year of age, $300 for dogs over 1 year of age, and $200 for dogs over the age of 6.

Adoption Procedure

1. Phone Interview
2. Written Application - We will e-mail or mail this to you after the phone interview has been completed.
3. Reference Checks - All references will be checked prior to home visit. We will contact your current vet, if you have one, for a reference.
4. Home Visit - A volunteer will come to your home to visit with you and discuss care of Great Danes. Also, the volunteer will look for any potential problems and check to be sure that your fencing is secure. Your home visit does not mean you have been approved.
5. Approval - After the above steps have been completed all your information will be reviewed and a decision will be made about adoption. If at this point you are approved to adopt, your area coordinator will help guide you to the appropriate dog for your family.
6. Contract - For the protection of the Great Danes we place, everyone that adopts a Great Dane from MAGDRL will be required to sign an adoption contract. If you would like additional information on our adoption contract you can e-mail your area coordinator and a copy of our contract will be sent to you electronically.

Fencing Policy

Over 27 years of experience in adoption of Great Danes has helped us to establish this policy. Our fencing requirement is intended to ensure that a Dane has a safely confined area for relief and exercise.

Fencing requirements apply whether an applicant resides in a city, suburb or on a multiple acre farm. If an adoption applicant is unable to provide a satisfactory fenced area for a Great Dane, in most cases MAGDRL cannot proceed with the application.

Fencing Exceptions:
MAGDRL will not compromise on its obligation to ensure a safe environment for the Great Danes we place. However, you can petition for a rare exception to the fencing requirement if you believe you are an exemplary pet owner and have extenuating circumstances.

These circumstances are for example, fencing not allowed in your community, live in a condominium with no yard. We will not make exceptions to families that just do not wish to fence. We do not place dogs into homes where they will be placed on a runner, chained, tied, or staked out in ANYWAY. We do not consider an electronic underground pet containment system to be adequate fencing to protect a pet and require a solid barrier fencing such as wood, chain link, etc. Why isn't an electronic underground pet containment system acceptable?

If this is the case, your application must include a detailed letter describing your circumstances, lifestyle, previous dog ownership and how you plan on safely exercising and managing your Great Dane without chaining or allowing off lead. In addition, a letter of recommendation from your veterinarian regarding the care and well-being of your current or previously owned pet(s) must accompany your adoption application. Without these two letters your exception request cannot be considered.

This petition process requires additional processing time. If your request is accepted for consideration, it will be forwarded to your MAGDRL adoption coordinator and a home visit will be conducted. After the home visit is complete, you will be notified of the status of your adoption application.

Note to Child Care Providers

Applicants who operate a childcare business should review their insurance coverage to determine whether Great Danes are excluded. If other breeds are listed under exclusions, you are encouraged to contact your provider to confirm that Great Danes are covered. Proof of coverage for your childcare business must be included with your adoption application.

If you have any questions about adoption in New York State or the New England area, please send an e-mail to magdrlny@nycap.rr.com for more information.