Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we are a licensed 501c3 non profit organization.

Our adoption fees vary. Typically, anywhere between $300-600.  All adoption donations are tax deductible.  

Dogs in our care receive a complete wellness check upon intake. Their medical costs may be as low as $400, but we've had dogs that needed care exceeding $8,000.  And many dogs in the middle who needed $3k-$5k in surgeries. 

We do not receive any type of financial government funding. We rely 100% on (adoption) donations to help vet the next dog in need that comes into our rescue.  

Every dog that that comes into our rescue is seen by a vet for a complete check.  They are spayed/neutered, microchipped, dental if needed, receive age -appropriate vaccinations and/or boosters, heartworm test (if older than 6mo), heartworm preventative, and a fecal test to check for any parasites or worms.  They will also receive any additional testing or treatments that are needed.  

We are a foster based only rescue.  All of our dogs are placed in a foster approved home the day they arrive in rescue.  A meet & greet is scheduled with an applicant after their adoption application has been approved.

The first step is for the applicant to read the biography of each adoptable dog in our care. If you feel like your family meets the requirements, please send us an email expressing your interest. Be prepared to submit a completed application, of which we will review and we WILL CONTACT your present (or past) veterinarian. 

After your application has been received, & references checked, we will contact you to set up a phone interview. 

If that goes well & both parties feel comfortable moving forward, we will coordinate schedules for a meet & greet with the dog. At the M&G, you will receive a copy of the adoption contract & have the option of completing the adoption at that time. 

• You must meet the individual requirements for the dog you apply for
• You must submit a completed application
• You must be able to travel to the area the dog is being fostered in & have acceptable return travel planned should you complete the adoption
• You must have verification proving you are UTD on required vaccines for your current (or most recent) pets- rabies, distemper, & parvo
• You must have verification that you use & are current on heartworm prevention

This list is not all inclusive. Again, individual dogs require tailored needs for adoption. Every dog will have different requirements for adoption, so it is vital that applicants read each biography in its entirety. We understand that many dogs/pets have health issues, so some leniency will apply to those who require it. 

No, that is too stressful on the dogs in our rescue. The most successful adoptions come from scheduled meet & greets so our dogs can interact where they are comfortable. 

Our greatest need from volunteers is approved foster families. You could be a temporary foster or a long-term (until adoption) foster. 

Due to the type of dogs we have, the majority of our fosters must have a secure physically fenced yard. Typically, common area yards will not suffice (apartments, etc). For safety & health reasons, we need our dogs to be able to learn their new surroundings in a controlled secure environment. 

Our families may need to take their foster dogs to one or two vet appointments in the Maryville, IL area. 

Most importantly, we have to be able to match our dogs to your family based on their needs. This could include, but not be limited to, rehabilitation, socialization, & minor medical care.

You can find our volunteer form on this website. 

Our approved foster families have submitted applications to volunteer with our rescue. We check their references, complete a home visit, & ensure they are willing to follow our protocols for safety & health. 

Yes. You will need a few personal references, landlord approval (if applicable), and you will need a veterinary reference. Please notify your current (or past) vet office when you apply. This will allow us to move more quickly. If we have to wait for approval or a call back, that could potentially delay the process. 

Our Venmo & Paypal accounts are linked on our home page.  

Or you can mail a check to Gateway 4 Paws/ PO Box 414/ Maryville, IL 62062

Every donation made to us is tax-deductible.

100% of every donation goes to the dogs in our care.