How many dogs do you have?

At any given time we have approximately 20-25 dogs with disabilities in our shelter, which is in our home. About 16 of these dogs are expected to live permanently with us for whatever remaining time they have, due to the severity of their medical conditions. The balance are all wonderful, adoptable dogs with disabilities.

Where do your dogs come from?

Our dogs with disabilities come to us from all over the U.S. Some are owner-surrendered, some are released to us by animal shelters, and some come to us from partner rescues that are not equipped or trained to handle a specific dog’s requirements.

How long do your dogs live?

Each dog is different. Some of our dogs who are blind or deaf live long, happy lives when they are provided with a caring, loving home, regular veterinary care, and the right environment. Our dogs with healed injuries can also live similarly long lives, and it's very possible for a paralyzed or partially paralyzed dog to continue to live a full, happy life. And while there is no treatment for Cerebellar Hypoplasia, symptoms typically do not worsen and affected dogs have normal lifespans. Other dogs with severe medical conditions like Megaesophagus frequently have shorter expected lifespans.

What is involved with fostering a dog with disability?

Fostering a dog is the greatest gift to both the dogs and to our rescue! When you foster, you’re not only providing a safe, loving home for a very special dog — you’re also making room at our shelter for another dog requiring critical support. Fosters provide daily care, including:

• love, Love, and more LOVE!

• clean water at all times

• meals according to each dog’s dietary requirements

• administration of any medicines

• regular potty trips to help them stay clean

• walks and exercise to the dog’s ability

• grooming and bathing as required

• training

• clean, soft bedding

• a safe place to sleep near you

In addition, fosters are in regular contact (weekly, at a minimum) with me to provide updates and progress reports.

Do you cover the costs for foster dogs?

Once a dog with disability is released into foster care, the foster family covers the costs of food, treats, training, day care, and grooming. We continue to cover the costs of medical care and veterinary visits until the dog is adopted into a forever home.

How long do dogs stay in foster homes, on average?

It could range anywhere from two weeks to six months. If at any time a foster family is unable to continue caring for the dog, we will immediately take the dog back to our shelter.

If I am fostering a dog and we fall in love, can I adopt him/her?

Yes! You will need to fill out an Adoption Application as a formality so that we have all the correct and complete information on file. Give me a call and let’s get the ball rolling!

Do your dogs get along with cats?

It depends on the dog. Some dogs with disabilities will need to be placed in a home with no cats. We are fully transparent about the specific requirements of all of our dogs and do our best to find the right fit for each dog and each family.

Do your dogs get along with other dogs?

Most of our dogs with disabilities get along well with other dogs. If you check out our daily Facebook updates, you’ll frequently see videos of our dogs having a blast playing together. That said, it is not uncommon for a dog with disability to come into our care that does not get along well with other dogs. Sometimes a medical condition causing pain or discomfort can be a factor. We are fully transparent about the specific requirements of all of our dogs and do our best to find the right fit for each dog and each family.

Do your dogs get along with children?

It depends on the dog. Some dogs with disabilities are good with all children. Some are only good with older children (12+). And some dogs with disabilities will need to be placed in a home with no kids at all, for everyone’s safety. We are fully transparent about the specific requirements of all of our dogs and do our best to find the right fit for each dog and each family.

Do your dogs need to be the only dog in a household?

It depends on the dog. Some dogs with disabilities are great with other dogs and would love nothing better than to have another dog buddy to play with. And some will only thrive if they can be placed in a home where they are the only dog. We are fully transparent about the specific requirements of all of our dogs and do our best to find the right fit for each dog and each family.

What can I expect from owning a dog with disability?

You can expect a roller coaster. Seriously. And, it just may turn out to be the best ride of your life! There will be tough moments, and tough days, to be sure. But these dogs have so much love, and bring so much joyfulness into our lives…for us, every happy tear makes every heartbreak worthwhile a million times over. I truly can’t imagine my life any other way.

How can I adopt one of your dogs with disabilties?

We’re very excited that you’ve fallen in love with our beautiful pups! Please fill out an Adoption Application and we will review your information and respond as quickly as we can. Thank you for your interest, from the bottom of my heart!

What is your adoption fee?

$375.

Do you spay/neuter all your dogs with disabilities?

Yes. All dogs in our care are spayed/neutered. Many dogs with disabilities that come to us have birth defects caused by bad breeding, and we are committed to preventing future suffering.

Will my dog be microchipped?

Yes. All dogs with disabilities leave our shelter with a registered microchip in place.

Can I adopt if I don’t live close to you?

Yes. Reach out and let me know where you are located, and let’s start a conversation about whether this would be a good fit for you. It will also depend on the specific dog’s medical circumstances and predicted future needs.

How much will it cost me to care for a dog with disabilities?

Every dog is different. For some dogs with disabilities, like blind and deaf dogs, the cost is no different from having a healthy, able-bodied dog. Other dogs may require equipment such as a help ‘em up harness, wheelie cart, or megaesophagus chair, and if the dog is young these may need to be updated as they grow. If a dog requires surgery or other medical treatment while in our care, we will schedule and pay for these expenses prior to releasing them for adoption. We are always fully transparent about each dog’s known medical history and expected future requirements. That said, any animal, just like any person, can have unexpected medical events happen at any point in their future, and there is no way that Perfect Imperfections could predict this in advance.

If I adopt a dog with disabilities and it doesn’t work out, do you take them back?

Yes, absolutely. You will never be “stuck with” one of our dogs. We love them too much to see them suffer in any way, and a bad fit is no good for anyone involved. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

Do you ever have to euthanize a dog?

Sadly, yes. When a dog is in too much pain or discomfort that cannot be controlled by medication or surgery and they are suffering, the kindest and most merciful thing we can do is to help them transition and be free from their pain. Sometimes this happens with advanced cancer, sometimes with a severe injury or deformity that cannot be repaired, and sometimes with seizures or neurological issues. It is the most heartbreaking part of our work, and, it is an honor to be there for them — to hold them in our arms on a soft, comfy bed; to give them goodbye kisses; to love them until their last breath; and to provide them with the gentlest and most peaceful passing that we can.

How do I surrender a dog?

If you have a dog with disability that you need to surrender, please use our contact form and we will respond as quickly as we can. Please know that we are extremely limited in the number of dogs we can physically house at one time, and by the limited resources we have to care for them. We are a very small nonprofit, with no employees other than the founder. For these reasons, it is not uncommon for us to have to turn away 1-3 dogs a day.

Can you come speak to our school/church/community organization?

Yes, I am available to speak to organizations within a 120 mile radius of Watertown, Connecticut. I can present with or without one of our dogs. For age-appropriate groups, I can also read from my book, My Dog Keifer. You can reach out to us through the Contact page for more information and to make arrangements. For organizations that have the means, in lieu of a speaker fee we ask for a modest donation to Perfect Imperfections.  

Have another question?

Reach out! We’re very grateful for your interest, and we’re happy to provide the best answers we can to all of your questions. Fostering and adopting a dog with disability is a lifetime commitment, and we want you to be as well prepared as possible.