PugSavers does not "sell" pugs and pug mixes, we adopt them out to compatible homes for an adoption fee of $175.00. for adult dogs and $400.00 for healthy pugs under the age of one year. We do not place the pugs on a "first come, first served" basis. Instead, we try to match up the needs of the pug with the desires and lifestyle of the adopting family. Pugs and pug mixes who are adopted through us have received their shots, a heartworm test, are on heartworm preventative, and have been examined by a veterinarian. In many cases, the dog may have had other medical procedures or surgery while in our care. In all cases the pugs and pug mixes will be adopted only after having been spayed or neutered. There will be no exceptions. PugSavers will disclose any medical conditions which we know about prior to the adoption. These are rescue pugs however, and very little or nothing is known about their prior care or treatment. We cannot in any way guarantee the health of these pugs or pug mixes. If it is important to you to get a healthy pug please contact the Northern California Pug Club litter liaison, Ms. Keven Birdwell at Rottenpug@aol.com.

1.         The first step in applying to adopt a rescued pug or pug mix is to fill out the application. When you click on the highlighted text at the bottom of this page you will be taken to the application.  If you cannot get the application on this site, please send a self-addressed, stamped,  business size envelope to: PugSavers, 331 J Street, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95814 and we will mail you one. Be sure to fill out the entire application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  If there is additional information which you think might be helpful, feel free to attach additional pages.

2.         When we have a pug or pug mix which we feel might be a suitable match for you, we will give you a call. We try to have the prospective adopter meet the dog at the home of the people who have been fostering the dog. This allows you to see the dog in a familiar environment and is less stressful for the rescue dog. We encourage all of the family members of the potential adopting family to make this visit together. If all parties are in agreement that this pug or pug mix is the right match, and a home visit has been completed, (see #3) there is a 24 hour waiting period before an adoption can be completed . This is so the decision is based on more than spur-of-the-moment emotion, a decision that may later be regretted. It also allows spouses or partners to discuss the matter in private to make sure that this is an appropriate match.  Our goal is to find a "forever" home for these pugs and pug mixes; we want this to be a well considered addition of a new "family member". Please take adequate time to consider any potential adoption.

3.         At some point in the adoption process, a PugSavers volunteer will do a home check, visiting the home of the prospective adopter. This allows us to make sure that the home is "pug proofed" and otherwise compatible for the new adoptee. Depending on volunteer availability, the home visit happens either before you meet with a prospective rescue dog or soon after.

4.         The last step in the adoption process, is the signing of the adoption agreement. The PugSavers agreement requires, among other things, that the adoptive family keep the dog current on all vaccinations and medications, contact PugSavers prior to euthanizing the dog (except in cases if extreme medical emergency) and contact PugSavers if they can no longer keep the dog for any reason, returning the dog to PugSavers in that event. A PugSavers dog cannot be sold or placed with someone other than the adopting family without PugSavers prior written permission.

The time you can expect to wait until you hear from a PugSavers representative depends on many factors. PugSavers takes into consideration many things when placing a dog, and the more open you are to age, color, gender, physical condition or pug mixes, the more likely you will hear from us sooner. We cannot predict how many, or what type of pugs or pug mixes come through our rescue, and cannot therefore predict how long your wait will be. Puppies are, as a general rule, not turned into rescue, (especially not healthy puppies) and the average age of our rescues is about 5 years old or older.  Because of this, if you are adamant about getting a young (under the age of 2), healthy pug, the wait may be several months to several years.

We are an all-volunteer organization. Our first priority is to get abandoned and relinquished dogs safely into our program and in a foster home as quickly as possible. In addition to the actual hands-on rescuing and placing of dogs, there are a myriad of other duties, such as outreach, fundraising, and administrative tasks that need to be done on a daily basis. Our volunteers also have jobs, families and pets of their own that they need to tend to. There are only a small handful of people in PugSavers who are responsible for all of these tasks (as well as many unexpected ones), so we ask for your patience and understanding in having to wait to be contacted. We assure you, the wait will be worth it. When you decide to open up your heart and home to a rescued pug or pug mix, it’s a decision that will bring you much joy.

While you are waiting for a rescue pug, we strongly suggest you research the pug breed so you are well acquainted with the daily care associated with a pug or pug mix. We also suggest that you research diseases common to the breed so you are well prepared to make the commitment for a lifetime of love and friendship.

If you purchase a pug or adopt a pug from another source or are otherwise no longer interested in adopting from PugSavers, please send us a courtesy note or email so we may take you off of our list.

P.S. If you are interested in helping out with the many duties that go into rescuing pugs and pug mixes, ask about becoming a volunteer yourself! There are many areas that help is needed, and it is a wonderful opportunity to help the many pugs and pug mixes in need.

PugSavers only adopts to people residing in California and Nevada