About Cavalier Connection
Are you a registered nonprofit organization?
Yes – Cavalier Connection is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the name Cavalier Connection. Our EIN is 99-2153272.
What is your mission?
Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home Cavaliers in need, providing loving foster homes, quality veterinary care, and adoption support so that each dog has the best chance at a happy forever family.
Where do your Cavaliers come from?
Our dogs come from owner surrenders, municipal/animal shelters, strays, and sometimes from partner rescues in other regions. Each dog entering our care is evaluated for health and behavior.
Do you operate a shelter or rely on foster homes?
We are a foster-based rescue. All our dogs live in volunteer foster homes where they receive daily care, socialization and support until adoption.
How is your organization funded and how are funds used?
We are funded primarily through adoption fees and donations. All funds go toward veterinary care, and support services for our dogs.
Adoption Process
What are the requirements to adopt a dog?
- Have permission from your landlord or HOA (if required).
- Live in a safe and appropriate environment for a dog.
- Complete an adoption application, interview, reference checks and a home check.
- We then match you with the dog we feel best fits your home, lifestyle and expectations.
What is the adoption fee and what does it cover?
Our adoption fees vary depending on the dog’s age and health status. The fee covers spay/neuter surgery (if applicable), age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, basic veterinary check and a behavior/temperament assessment conducted by our volunteers.
How are dogs evaluated before being placed for adoption?
Each dog receives:
- A full veterinary exam.
- Necessary vaccines and medical procedures.
- A behavior/temperament assessment during foster care.
We provide adopters with as much information as possible about the dog’s personality, history and needs — including, when applicable, any known health or behavior issues.
What is the adoption process step-by-step?
- Submit an adoption application.
- Participate in a phone/video interview or in-person meeting.
- Home check or home visit.
- Meet & greet the dog (and any current household pets, if appropriate).
- Finalize adoption paperwork, pay the fee.
- Bring your new dog home and begin the transition period — we will provide guidance to help you and the dog settle.
What if the adoption doesn’t work out?
We believe in lifelong support for both adopters and dogs. If for any reason the adopted dog cannot remain in your home, please contact us immediately. We will work with you to return the dog to us. No judgment — our priority is the dog’s welfare and a safe outcome.
Foster & Volunteer Opportunities
How can I become a foster? What are the requirements?
Fostering is a crucial part of our rescue work. Requirements include having a safe home environment, committing to the dog’s care (feeding, exercise, vet visits), and participating in our orientation/training program. We provide support to foster families — supplies, vet coordination and ongoing guidance.
What volunteer opportunities do you have?
Volunteers can help with transportation, home visits, fundraising, website/social media, and more. We do not require a strict minimum hour commitment — just let us know your availability and interests.
Dog Intake, Care & Policies
What happens when a dog comes into your care?
Upon intake, the dog receives:
- A full veterinary exam and health screening.
- Up-to-date vaccinations.
- Spay/neuter surgery (if not already done and age/health permit).
- Any required treatments.
- Placement into a foster home where we assess behavior, provide socialization and begin training/rehabilitation as needed.
Do you guarantee a dog’s health or behavior?
While we make every effort to vet and assess each dog, rescue dogs often come with unknown pasts and may require time and support to adjust. We cannot guarantee perfection. Instead, we commit to providing accurate information, setting realistic expectations, and offering post-adoption support.
Do you transport dogs from other states/regions?
Yes — we arrange transport of dogs from across the country via our volunteer network and partners, then place them with the closest available foster family. After adoption, travel from the foster region to an adopter’s location becomes a responsibility of the adopter. We comply with all interstate transport, health certificate and quarantine regulations.
What is your policy on owner surrenders and stray intakes?
We accept owner surrenders for strays, we hold for an appropriate owner‐reclaim period. If no owner is found, we proceed with intake, vetting and placement into foster care.
What about breed, age or health restrictions?
We specialize in Cavaliers — of all ages, from pups to seniors, including those with special needs. We evaluate each dog individually and match them thoughtfully with homes that can meet their needs, rather than adopting out to the first available home.
Post-Adoption Support
What support do you provide after adoption?
We offer ongoing adopters support including: behavior/training referrals, resource lists (veterinarians, trainers, local services), and check-in guidance. We encourage adopters to contact us with any questions or concerns.
What if I’m having issues with my adopted dog (behavior, health, etc.)?
Please reach out immediately. We are here to help — whether connecting you with a trainer/behaviorist, providing advice, or coordinating a return if necessary. Our goal is success for both the dog and the adopter.
Do adopters need to check in or provide updates?
While not mandatory, we may ask for a short update/photo a few weeks after adoption to ensure the transition is going smoothly — and we love seeing happy dogs in their new homes!
If I cannot keep the dog any longer, what happens?
We ask that you contact us immediately. We will work with you to bring the dog back as soon as possible. Please do not re-home the dog on your own without notifying us — it’s about ensuring the dog’s welfare and vetting the next home.
Logistics & Practical Info
What support do you provide after adoption?
We are based in Arizona and serve nationwide. We consider adopters across the U.S., but the adopter is responsible for travel or transport arrangements to meet the dog. We also bring dogs into our rescue from anywhere in the country when a suitable volunteer transport exists.
What should I bring when meeting a dog or picking up my adopted dog?
Please bring:
- Your signed adoption agreement (or capacity to sign at pick-up).
- The adoption fee payment.
- Any existing pet vet records (if you have other pets).
- If you already have a dog, bring them along (unless we advise otherwise) for the meet-and-greet.
When you take your new family member home, we’ll go over transition tips for success.
What makes Cavalier Connection different / what can adopters expect?
As a breed-specific rescue focused on Cavaliers, we provide in-depth knowledge of the breed, tailored care, and strong foster-to-adopter support. We emphasize ethical sourcing, careful matching, full transparency and lifelong support for our dogs and adopters.
How can I verify your nonprofit status and review your policies?
We are happy to provide you with our 501(c)(3) determination letter upon request.