First, nothing is really FREE!  Look at the VET cost chart below and see what your average initial cost will be for that Free dog. Also there can be Obedience Training (at $60 for a basic class) and liability insurance (incase he bites the delivery man)  If you are not going to care enough about your new dog to assure it is healthy and trustworthy, then you should not have a dog. Period! 

(1) They will work to ensure the adopter knows everything about the dog/puppy, including breed characteristics.  They evaluate for friendliness with other dogs, cats, other animals where appropriate, with men, women and children, and any issues the dog may have like: food aggression, chases cars, digs up the yard, frightened of thunder, etc. 

(2)They have complete vet testing done to assure a healthy dog or at least be able to make potential adopters aware of problems that are present.  If the problem is treatable, the rescue will spend as much resources as necessary to get the dog as healthy as possible.

(3)They take applications and take the information provided very seriously.  Not any dog will 'fit' in any home.  Rescues want to make the very best 'match' so that the home is 'forever' "until death (by old age) do you part".  (So don't be offended because someone wants to come to your home and meet you or call your vet).

(4) Often many applicants are rejected.  Sometimes it is a lack of willingness to understand the breed characteristics. Sometimes it is just the attitude of the applicants about "owning" a dog. Often times it is because the 'match' is not good. (The dog does not like cats and they have 3 or they want a 130 pound barking dog and they live in an apartment complex.)  Sometimes several applicants will be great, but they all want the same dog.  Consideration for the dog always comes first.

Bottom line: most Rescues take a personal interest in EVERY dog.  Most rescues guarantee the dogs they adopt out. They can tell you everything about the dog that is humanly possible to learn in a few weeks or months. They always (even years later) require the dog be returned if for any reason you cannot keep the dog.  Rescues don't stop caring once the dog is out the door!  Ozark Dogs requires weekly updates for the first 2 months and then a monthly update thereafter.  (Do remember, though, dogs behave differently in different environments and under different rules so please, should a problem arise, immediately contact the rescue, talk to the dogs previous foster mom or whom ever knew the dog best.  Also check out "A New Fur Kid in the Home" for many common sense answers to common 'new dog in the home' problems.

Example of a typical VET bill on a healthy dog to assure it is a healthy dog:  (Ozarkdogs does what is indicated as necessary for the age of the dog and it's history.)  costs in purple are always done
 

My cost- Puppy

CBC  Pre-surgery blood work