SCAD is a Member Society of
Adoption FAQs
- Why should I adopt a dog from Thailand?
- How much is the adoption fee and what does it include?
- How do I get the dog from Thailand?
- Which countries can SCAD send dogs to?
- What cities in the USA does SCAD send dogs to?
- Is there quarantine for dogs entering the USA or Canada?
- Are there any import or customs charges?
- Who pays for neutering/spaying or other medical procedures?
- Where are the dogs vaccinated?
- What is your policy about homes with small children?
- Does SCAD guarantee the health of the dogs in the adoption programme?
- Is Rabies a problem in Thailand?
- How do I apply for a dog that I would like to adopt?
- Where can I find an adoption application?
- Where can I see photos of available dogs?
- Can I visit the dogs?
- How long does the adoption process take?
- Is it possible to put a dog on hold?
- Is it possible to adopt a dog on a trial basis?
- How do I make payment for an adoption?
- What are the payment terms?
- How many dogs have been adopted through the SCAD adoption programme?
- Can you provide references from other families who have adopted dogs in Thailand or overseas?
- Where is your rescue located?
- Who do I contact about volunteer opportunities?
- How do I contact SCAD?
- Do you have an office in the USA?
- Is there a phone number where SCAD volunteers can be reached?
- How can I make a donation to SCAD?
- Do you have any sponsorship programmes?
- How do I know your adoption programme isn't a money scam?
1. Why should I adopt a dog from Thailand?
The stray dogs living on the streets in Bangkok have very little chance of a typical, happy doggy life with shelter, food, companionship and most of all love. In addition, there aren’t any laws to protect animal rights in Thailand and the dogs often suffer abuse and neglect. SCAD gives a lucky few a chance for a forever home and a better life.
2. How much is
the adoption fee and what does it include?
The adoption fee for a dog varies due to factors such as the destination, the size and weight of the dog, the airline used and the method of air transport. The fee is whatever it costs us to get the dog to you – we add no margin.
This fee includes airfare, airline-approved travel crate and crate accessories, Thai Government Export Permit and Veterinary Health Certificate, and land transport and handling fees here in Thailand. Costs can be reduced by returning the crate to a SCAD volunteer in the USA or Thailand.
The cost does not include any customs clearance costs charged by the authorities at the arrival destination.
3. How do I get the dog from Thailand?
Method A: SCAD sends the dog unaccompanied with KLM Cargo. This is a more expensive option, but KLM is very experienced in the transport of live cargo. They have excellent transit facilities in Amsterdam where the dogs get to stretch their legs, have a meal and go to the toilet.
Method B: SCAD sends the dog as “excess baggage” with a volunteer traveler (escort). This is the cheaper option; however, it takes longer to organize as we need to identify a travel with a suitable itinerary. We can’t guarantee that we can find a traveler for every nominated destination.
4. Which countries can SCAD send dogs to?
SCAD normally sends dogs to the USA and Canada and occasionally to other countries, depending on animal import requirements.
5. What cities in the USA does
SCAD send dogs to?
For Method A (cargo) SCAD is able to send dogs to any US city that KLM flies direct from Amsterdam (Boston Logan, New York LaGuardia, Newark, LAX, etc.).
For Method B (with traveler) we try to source volunteers heading to major international airports throughout the USA, although we can’t guarantee the availability of a suitable itinerary.
6. Is there quarantine for dogs entering the USA
or Canada?
No, at the time of writing there is no quarantine for dogs entering the USA or Canada as long as they have the proper health certificate and vaccination documentation to clear customs. SCAD arranges for the health certificate and related documentation prior to the dog’s departure. (Note: there are additional requirements and possible quarantine restrictions for dogs imported into Hawaii and Guam. For more information see the Centers for Disease Control information).
7. Are there any import or customs
charges?
Some airports have customs clearance charges that must be paid in cash when picking up the arriving dog. This is approximately US$30 and may vary by airport.
8.
Who pays for neutering/spaying or other medical procedures?
All dogs are neutered or spayed prior to adoption at SCAD’s cost. In addition, they receive age appropriate vaccinations. Many need minor and in some cases more serious medical treatment for skin irritations, broken bones, wounds, etc. They will receive treatment at our center or at a local veterinary clinic all at SCAD’s cost. All of our funding to support medical treatment is through donations. If you would like to support SCAD’s work please make a donation or sponsor a cat or dog through our Three Muttketeers Programme. SCAD and our furry friends thank you!
9. Where
are the dogs vaccinated?
All dogs receive age appropriate vaccinations in Bangkok before they are cleared to fly: Rabies, Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Bordetella and Parainfluenza.
10. What is your policy about homes with small children?
SCAD policy does not allow adoption of dogs to homes with children less than five years of age.
11. Does SCAD guarantee the health of the dogs in the adoption
programme?
All dogs in the adoption program are checked by a veterinarian, blood tested, sterilized and vaccinated. SCAD cannot guarantee the future health of any of the dogs in our adoption program because the dogs we take in from the streets come from unknown origins and may have medical conditions that are not readily apparent. We provide you with copies of the dog’s medical records.
12.
Is Rabies a problem in Thailand?
We have not encountered an animal suspected of having Rabies. Thailand does, however, have isolated cases of Rabies each year, similar to the USA. All dogs are vaccinated against Rabies prior to being sent to the USA. The Rabies vaccination is required by Thai law prior to export and the USA requires proof of Rabies vaccinations for all imported dogs.
13.
How do I apply for a dog that I would like to adopt?
All potential adopters must complete an adoption application form. This application is then reviewed by SCAD volunteers.
14.
Where can I find an adoption application?
You can fill in the applicable adoption application online or download it in Word document format by clicking on Application Forms.
15. Where can I see photos of available dogs?
Available dogs can be found on the Adoptable Dogs page of our website or by searching Petfinder under SCAD Bangkok in Haydenville, MA.
16. Can I visit the dogs?
SCAD welcomes all visitors to our Rehoming Center in Bangkok, Thailand. If you are in the Bangkok area or plan to be, just let us know in advance and we can coordinate a visit for you.
17. How long does the adoption process
take?
Once an adoption application is approved by SCAD and the dog is cleared as medically fit to fly, it takes around 14 days to complete the export procedures and confirm the cargo flight. Arrangements using volunteer travelers can take longer. (Please note that Thai Government regulations state that animals must have their rabies vaccination at least 30 days prior to departure.)
18. Is it possible to
put a dog on hold?
Once an adoption is approved by SCAD and the adoptive family, a 50% non-refundable deposit is payable to hold the dog and start the export process.
19. Is it possible to adopt a dog on a trial basis?
Unfortunately, SCAD is unable to support trial adoptions for a number of reasons, including the cost of sending dogs overseas. In addition, SCAD does not currently have a network set up overseas or in the USA to handle a trial adoption process.
20. How do I make payment for an adoption?
We accept credit card payments via the donate page. Please include a comment letting us know whether the payment is a 50% deposit or final payment for the adoption of "dog's name".
21.
What are the payment terms?
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to hold the dog and to start the export process, including booking the flights. The balance is due when the dog arrives at the agreed destination.
22.
How many dogs have been adopted through the SCAD adoption programme?
View our Adoption Achievements on our website.
23. Can you provide references from other
families who have adopted dogs in Thailand or overseas?
Yes, upon request SCAD will provide references of families who have adopted dogs and you are welcome to contact them directly.
24.
Where is your rescue located?
SCAD is based in Bangkok, Thailand. SCAD does not operate as a rescue.
Our primary focus is on humane animal birth control methods and pet care education programs, and local and overseas adoptions.
25.
Who do I contact about volunteer opportunities?
Please contact us using the online contact form.
26.
How do I contact SCAD?
Send us a message using the online contact form or visit the contact us page for applicable phone numbers and addresses.
27.
Do you have an office in the USA?
No, SCAD does not have an office in the USA. We have a network of volunteers who support us with various activities.
28. Is there a phone number where SCAD volunteers can be reached?
Due to the time difference and cost of international calls, SCAD volunteers cannot make or receive overseas telephone calls. Please contact us using the online contact form.
29. How can I
make a donation to SCAD?
The easiest way to donate from outside Thailand is through our SiamPay Merchant Account.
30.
Do you have any sponsorship programmes?
Yes! We have a sponsorship programme called “The Three Muttketeers”.You can also make a monthly subscription.
31. How do I know your adoption
programme isn't a money scam?
SCAD has been operating our adoption program since 2002 and since this time we have helped almost 600 animals find forever homes. The adoption scams run via the internet focus on pure breed dogs and the scam operators are requiring payment in full prior to proceeding with the adoption. The SCAD programme only requires a 50% deposit prior to shipping the dog and the balance is payable once the dog has been received. We take great pride in our reputation and we are always happy to provide references to any potential adopter. For more information regarding adoption programme scams please refer to the information provided by Centers for Disease Control.