Frequently Asked Questions

Where do your rescues come from?

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• Cavaliers come into rescue for many of the same reasons as other dogs. Families may need to rehome their pets due to financial changes, health concerns, or shifts in their schedules that make it difficult to provide the care their dog needs. Some Cavaliers come from situations where they were not receiving proper care or are found as strays. Others are retired from breeding programs and need help transitioning into life as a beloved family pet. 

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How do I adopt a Cavalier? 

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• Please visit the Adoption section of our website to learn about our process.

• Due to the high level of interest in adopting, we often receive more applications than we have dogs available.

• We thoughtfully consider each application.  Not every applicant will be matched with a GCCR Cavalier.

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Where do I fill out an application to adopt?

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• You may complete this Adoption Application to share your general dog preferences with us.

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What does GCCR consider a "special needs" Cavalier?

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• We consider a Cavalier to have special needs when they require ongoing or more involved care. This can include a range of medical or behavioral conditions. Some common examples include mitral valve disease, syringomyelia (Chiari-like malformation), patellar luxation, primary secretory otitis media (PSOM), and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), though this is not a complete list.

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What are your adoption fees?

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• Each available dog has an adoption donation listed.

• Fees are based on the age of the Cavalier.

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Do you have a physical location where I can see the Cavaliers?

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• No. All rescued Cavaliers are placed in foster homes for evaluation and training.

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Why don’t you place Cavaliers in more areas?

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• At this time, we are only able to adopt to families within the greater Chicago area.  This is because our entire support system – veterinarians, volunteers, fosters, and transporters – is based locally.

• Our priority is making sure every dog and adopter has the support they need, and unfortunately we wouldn’t be able to provide that level of care outside our region.   

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Are there other Cavalier rescues that I can contact if I don’t live within the areas you serve?

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• Cavalier Rescue USA - This is a national organization.  An adoption application will be routed to the local coordinator.

• Lucky Star Cavalier Rescue - Adoptable Cavaliers are located throughout the country, so check for your area

• Cavalier Alliance - Focus is on rescuing and placing seniors and special needs Cavaliers

• Cavalier Rescue Trust - Rescue organization for the AKC breed club

• Heartland Cavalier Connection

• Cavalier Rescue of Florida

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How do I become a GCCR volunteer?

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• You may complete this Volunteer Application to share your preferences and availability with us.

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