What is CCDAL?
CCDAL is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, dependent on charitable contributions to save the lives of adoptable purebred Dalmatians through an adoption program that addresses pet ownership responsibility and education.

Where are you located?
We have no shelters or offices, just a web site, an email address, and a number of willing volunteers working out of their homes for the prevention of cruelty to and abandonment of Dalmatians, the relief of their suffering, and the extension/expansion of humane education. Our volunteers are located in Northern Virginia, the Tidewater and Richmond areas of Virginia, and in Maryland.

Where do you get your dogs?
CCDAL has a working relationship with a number of local humane societies, SPCAs and animal shelters. When they have a Dalmatian that they feel is adoptable but the dog has not received any applications and its time has run out, they contact us. If CCDAL or another rescue organization is unable to take the Dal, it will be euthanized.

What is the purpose of CCDAL?
CCDAL was established to rescue and re-home abandoned, abused, or neglected Dalmatians out of shelters before they are euthanized. Our goal is to place each adoptable Dalmatian into a permanent, loving home where the dog can safely spend the remainder of its natural life.

Will you take my unwanted Dalmatian off my hands?
We do not normally accept unwanted dogs from owners, but we will assist the owner with placing their own dog in an appropriate home if they will continue to care for and support the dog until an appropriate home is found.

What is the process for adopting from CCDAL?
CCDAL requires prospective adopters to complete an application. After review of the application, veterinary history will be checked and a home visit will be conducted. If the CCDAL adoption committee agrees that the adoption should be approved, then a contract will be completed, adoption fee accepted, and the dog will be turned over to its Forever Home.

What costs are involved?
CCDAL requests a tax-deductible contribution of $250.00 upon adoption of our dogs. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we have no paid employees, and all adoption fees and contributions go directly to the care and support of our rescued Dalmatians. The adoption fee includes the insertion of a microchip in your adopted dog. Registration passes to you once the adoption is final.

How far away will you transport a dog for adoption?
Because our procedures require a home visit and our contract requires the return of the dog if the adopter is unable or unwilling to keep it for any reason, we generally restrict our adoptions to within 100 miles of our nearest volunteer. Since our volunteer base is fairly wide-spread, CCDAL can cover most of Maryland and Virginia as well as Washington DC and parts of extreme Southern Pennsylvania. If you are outside of that range, we will attempt to put you in touch with a Dalmatian rescue group closer to where you live.

What will be the physical condition of the dog?
All of our dogs are spayed or neutered and up to date on all recommended vaccines before adoption. The dog will be heartworm, Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Erlichia negative; on monthly heartworm and flea and tick preventative; and current on Rabies, DHLPP, Bordetella, and Lyme vaccines. If we know of any health problems, they will be fully disclosed to you up front. You will receive copies of the applicable vet records at the time of adoption.

How old are the dogs?
Our dogs range from puppies to senior citizens; however, the majority of them are between one and six years old. Most owners do not give up their young dogs, they wait until the dog is full grown. Additionally, shelters are usually successful in adopting out younger dogs, with the more mature dogs likely to be euthanized if a rescue group will not take them.

What are the advantages of adopting a rescue dog from CCDAL?
CCDAL does not have a shelter. Our dogs live in the homes of our volunteers where they are treated like a member of the family. Because of this close relationship, our fostered dogs are socialized, given some basic obedience training, and closely observed. We know the individual strengths and weaknesses of our dogs, which allows us to select the most appropriate home for each dog. By taking the time to get to know the dogs as well as the adopters, we have a higher rate of successful, permanent placements.

I can't have a dog where I live. Is there some other way I can help?
Yes!! In addition to appropriate foster homes, CCDAL has plenty of "behind the scenes" jobs that need to be done. Help with a fundraising effort. Help with the web page. Help update our Petfinders site. Help man a table at a community event. Help with transporting dogs from place to place. If you have any special talents or interests, just let one of our board members know. See Contacts for who to call and how to reach them. Check out our Wish List for things we need. Or "sponsor" a Special Needs Dalmatian.