Begin online
Browse & apply
Meet the pets currently available, then submit one complete online application. You may include more than one pet by name or describe the kind of companion you hope to find.
Lap Dog RescueOF NEW MEXICODonateOur adoption process
A thoughtful path
to home.
We take the time to find a lasting match—for the pet and for you. Our secure adoption system keeps the application process organized while our fosters provide the human touch.
Foster-ledBest-fit matching
What to expect
Four steps to
a new beginning
Our website explains what to expect. Our adoption system handles current pet profiles and the application itself, so information stays in one reliable place.
A foster-led process
Application review
Applications are considered for the best fit—not in the order received. The foster who knows the pet best reviews promising applications and may contact references or ask follow-up questions.
Getting acquainted
Meet the pet
Selected applicants have the opportunity to meet the pet and talk with the foster about personality, routines, health, training, and what will help the pet thrive.
The final step
Home visit & adoption
Finalists complete a home visit. When the foster, applicant, and dog all feel like the right match, the adoption paperwork and fee are completed and a new chapter begins.
Good to know
Care comes before speed
We know waiting can be difficult. These guidelines help protect the pets in our care and give every adoption the strongest possible start.
Best fit comes first
Applications are not first come, first served. Our responsibility is to find the home that best matches each pet’s individual needs.
An application is a starting point
Submitting an application does not guarantee adoption, and applicants are never obligated to adopt the pet named on their form.
Pets are not adopted as gifts
The person who will be responsible for the pet must participate in the application and adoption process.
Transitions take patience
Even a well-mannered foster pet may need time to adjust to a new home, routine, people, pets, and house-training expectations.
Please be patient with our team. LDRNM is volunteer-powered, and response times may vary. Check your spam folder and add us to your contacts so you don't miss a message.
Adoption fees
A fee that helps the next dog, too.
Adoption fees help support rescue, preparation, and care. They do not cover every medical expense, which is why donor support remains so important.
Pay a fee or help fund medical care →Adult dogs$225
Puppies$275
Cats$150
Senior dogs$100
Special-needs dogsNo extra charge
We rely on donations to help meet their additional medical needs.
The first few weeks
Give your new pet time to settle in.
A move can be exciting and unsettling—even for a dog who seemed fully comfortable in foster care. New surroundings may temporarily affect sleep, appetite, behavior, or house training.
Consistency, patience, and calm routines make a real difference. Your foster can share what has worked well and help you understand your new pet's signals and needs.
Please review your Adoption Agreement for the current transition and return terms.
Ready when you are
Meet your possible new best friend.
Browse our current pets, read their full profiles, and apply from the pet's page when you find a possible match.
One application can include more than one pet.