FAQs
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We work with dedicated rescuers in Puerto Rico and coordinate with volunteer flight angels to get our pups safely to the DMV. A flight angel is a traveler returning from Puerto Rico who volunteers to bring a sato back stateside in cabin. It is an easy, inexpensive way to transport pups under 20 lbs back to the DMV and it costs the traveler/flight angel nothing! Please fill out our Flight Angel form if your travels are taking you to PR: https://form.jotform.com/211454240654146
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Because we are a small rescue and like to provide consistent follow-up for our adopters, we do not adopt further than 75 miles from TRHQ. We do occasionally make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
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We do not do a foster-to-adopt but we do have a seven-day, no questions asked return policy. If for some reason , it is not a perfect fit, then we will refund the adoption fee or apply to the next pup you adopt.
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A flight angel is a traveler returning from Puerto Rico who volunteers to bring a sato back stateside in cabin. It is an easy, inexpensive way to transport pups under 20 lbs back to the DMV, and it costs the traveler/flight angel nothing!
HOW IT WORKS: If a traveler knows the dates they will be returning from Puerto Rico, they can contact us and we will email them a flight angel form. Once the form is completed with all travel details, we can purchase a ticket for an adoption-ready pup. Normally, we try to book the ticket no more than 10 days before travel to ensure that plans have not changed. Note: While Toby’s Rescue will pay for the cost of the dog’s transport, please be advised that some airlines require passengers to pay upon check-in. If this is the case, we will send the money directly to the flight angel via PayPal. Otherwise, we will pay for the dog’s ticket through the airline’s website.
Many people wonder how they will get connected to the sato. On the day before transport, flight angels are connected via text to a Toby’s Rescue volunteer team member based in Puerto Rico so as to coordinate handing off of the sato, both in Puerto Rico and upon arrival to the U.S. airport. The volunteer in Puerto Rico will meet the flight angel at SJU and provide the flight angel with the sato (who will be in an approved airline carrier bag), along with any medical records (including travel certificate and a rabies certificate if applicable) and a pee pad.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FLIGHT ANGEL: Flight angels are asked to check-in, usually three hours ahead of the flight. They will go through security (the pup will need to be taken out of the carrier and walked or carried through security), board the plane, and place the dog in its carrier under the seat in front of theirs. Most pups travel wonderfully and just take a long nap, lulled by the vibration of the plane.
As the flight angel is on their journey home, we ask them to keep us up to date with photos and updates about delays and changes.
Once stateside, we will have a volunteer waiting for the flight angel at the airport for the handoff. Again, both the flight angel and the volunteer will have been connected via text to make the handoff easy. Generally, the volunteer will be waiting outside baggage check-in in their car.
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We accept Zelle, check, cash, PayPal and Venmo - If paying with cash apps, please send to Toby@tobysrescue.com. If writing a check, make it out to Toby’s Rescue.
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We make the best match for sato and family. That means we don’t take first come but assess all factors in order to make a perfect fit. If everything is equal between two potential adopters, we will select the first applicant.
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We prefer for our fosters to be within 10 miles of TRHQ. This allows for the foster parent to be able to pick-up and drop-off the foster or when necessary, have a team member make a visit.
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We love foster fails! That is when the foster parent falls in love with their foster and wishes to adopt them. We hate to lose a foster but love to know the sato will have a wonderful life.
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Toby’s Rescue takes great pride in adding family to our team. We don’t leave you without support. If you have questions, days, weeks or months after adopting your sato, we can help! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support, guidance, trainers and suggestions. We are hear to help as you complete the 3/3/3!
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The 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Months Rule
3 days to decompress
3 weeks to know your routine
3 months to feel at home and to be the pup you will have for the long term.
Ask us for the handoff for more info about this.
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Please fill out this form to be a flight angel and save another sato:
