SCAD is a Member Society of
Adoption FAQs
- Why Should I adopt a dog from Thailand?
- Which countries can SCAD send dogs to?
- What is the cost of adopting a dog from Thailand?
- What does the $495 USA adoption cost cover?
- Who pays for neutering/spaying or other medical procedures?
- How long does the adoption process take?
- How are the dogs sent to the USA?
- What cities in the USA does SCAD send dogs to?
- Where is your Rescue located?
- Who do I contact about volunteer opportunities?
- Where are the dogs vaccinated?
- Is there quarantine for dogs entering the USA?
- Are there any additional costs?
- Are there any import or customs charges?
- How do I apply for a dog that I would like to adopt?
- Where can I find an adoption application?
- How do I contact SCAD?
- How do I make payment for an adoption?
- What are the payment terms?
- Is it possible to put a dog on hold?
- Can I visit the dogs?
- Does SCAD guarantee the health of the dogs in the adoption programme?
- Is Rabies a problem in Thailand?
- Do you have an office in the USA?
- Is there a phone number where SCAD volunteers can be reached?
- Can you provide references from other families who have adopted dogs?
- Where can I see photos of available dogs?
- How many dogs have been adopted through the SCAD adoption programme?
- How can I make a donation to SCAD?
- Is SCAD a rescue organisation?
- Is it possible to adopt a dog on a trial basis?
- Do you havea ny 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. Which countries can SCAD send dogs to?
SCAD normally sends dogs to the USA and occasionally to other countries, depending on animal import requirements.
3. What is the cost of adopting a dog from Thailand?
The adoption cost for a dog going to the USA is $495. Costs for adopted dogs sent to other countries vary depending on transport costs and animal import requirements.
4. What does the $495 USA adoption cost cover?
This covers transportation costs (airfare), land transport & staff costs in Thailand, veterinary health checks, the Veterinary Health Certificate (carried out by the Government’s quarantine/livestock department) and the export license required by Thailand customs.
The cost does not include the airline approved travel carrier the dog must travel in or the customs clearance cost often charged by the US airport customs office.
5. 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!
6. How long does the adoption process take?
Once an adoption is agreed by SCAD and the dog is cleared to fly (at least 30 days after receiving the rabies vaccination) it takes a minimum of 10 – 14 days to complete the export procedures and confirm the cargo flight.
7. How are the dogs sent to the USA?
SCAD normally uses KLM cargo to send the dogs to the USA. The dogs are flown from Bangkok via Amsterdam to the USA. In Amsterdam they have a brief stopover at the KLM “doggy hotel.” Here they are given some food, water and a much needed chance to stretch their legs before continuing their journey. KLM has a very good reputation for their treatment of live cargo.
8. What cities in the USA does SCAD send dogs to?
SCAD is able to send dogs to any US city that KLM flies direct from Amsterdam (Boston Logan, New York LaGuardia, Newark, LAX, etc.)
9. Where is your rescue located?
SCAD does not operate as a rescue. Our primary focus is on animal birth control and pet care education programs, the local and overseas adoptions related programs, but on a small scale. Our health center is located on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand.
10. Who do I contact about volunteer opportunities?
Please contact us using the online contact form.
11. Where are the dogs vaccinated?
All dogs receive age appropriate vaccinations before they are cleared to fly. These vaccinations include rabies, parvo, distemper, etc.
12. Is there quarantine for dogs entering the USA?
No, there is no quarantine for dogs entering the USA 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.
13. Are there any additional costs?
The $495 adoption cost does not include the airline approved animal carrier that the dogs must travel in. These can be purchased from SCAD at cost or returned to one of our local volunteers in the USA. The cost of the carrier is $85 - $120, depending on the size of the dog. In addition, some airports have a customs clearance charge that must be paid in cash when picking up the arriving dog, this is approximately $30.
14. 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 $30 and may vary by airport.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. How do I make payment for an adoption?
We accept credit card and PayPal 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".
19. 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.
20. Is it possible to put a dog on hold?
Once an adoption is agreed on by both SCAD and the adoptive family, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to hold the dog and start the export process.
21. Can I visit the dogs?
SCAD welcomes all visitors to our health 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.
22. Does SCAD guarantee the health of the dogs in the adoption programme?
All dogs in the adoption program are checked by a staff veterinarian and are treated for any medical conditions as necessary. They also receive age appropriate vaccinations. SCAD cannot guarantee the 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.
23. Is Rabies a problem in Thailand?
Thailand does have isolated cases of rabies each year, similar to the US. All dogs are vaccinated against rabies prior to being sent to the US. The rabies vaccination is required by Thai law prior to export and the US requires proof of rabies vaccinations for all imported dogs.
24. Do you have an office in the USA?
No, SCAD does not have an office in the US. We have a network of volunteers who support us with various activities.
25. 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.
26. Can you provide references from other families who have adopted dogs?
Yes, upon request SCAD will provide references of families who have adopted dogs.
27. 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 Haydenville, MA.
28. How many dogs have been adopted through the SCAD adoption programme?
View our Adoption Achievements on our website.
29. How can I make a donation to SCAD?
The easiest way to donate from outside Thailand is through PayPal.
30. Is SCAD a rescue organisation?
No, SCAD is not a rescue shelter. Our primary focus is on animal birth control and neighborhood education regarding responsible pet care. SCAD’s goal is to implement sustainable animal birth control programs that will eventually stop the needless suffering of the thousands of cats and dogs that are currently being born each year on the streets of Bangkok. Current estimates are that there are over 300,000 stray dogs living in Bangkok. For each female dog that SCAD can spay, approximately 67,000 dogs are eliminated from the cycle over her lifetime. (This statistic is based on an assumption of high litter survival rates in good living conditions and is most likely lower for dogs living on the street in Bangkok)
31. 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.
32. Do you have any sponsorship programmes?
Yes! We recently launched a sponsorship programme called “The Three Muttketeers”. Learn more...
33. 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 350 animals find forever homes. The adoption scams currently being 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% down payment 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.