Dogs/Cats

Speak! For The Unspoken

Grove City, OH 43123

About

SPEAK! for the Unspoken is a registered 501(c)(3) pet rescue located in the Columbus, Ohio area. We are a 100% foster-based rescue, devoted to special needs animal rescue and education. We focus our rescue efforts on special needs dogs and cats, double merle dogs born with vision and/or hearing deficits due to poor breeding practices. We believe special needs dogs can live happy and healthy lives, and until the careless breeding stops, we will continue to find these special dogs the homes they deserve. We see possibilities, not disabilities. We adopted our motto “special needs and good deeds” to incorporate all the animals outside of the ‘special needs’ category that we are able to help. We are a foster based rescue so all of the animals in our program are living and cared for in a loving home. SPEAK! is committed to proving that special needs' dogs are just as capable as “normal” dogs. Some special needs dogs, such as double merle Australian Shepherds, are the result of irresponsible merle to merle breeding. Many other breeds also contain this dominant gene and when bred improperly, can result in blindness, deafness, or both. These impairments have a twenty-five percent (25%) chance of happening to every puppy born through this irresponsible breeding practice. Dogs born into the world with these impairments hold a special place in our heart! They still are active and loving companions and we work hard to educate the public on how these dogs can be a perfect family member. We are so grateful for all our fosters and volunteers because they take on these special needs dogs and show many of them love and patience for the first time. Our fosters and volunteers truly make a difference in this world with taking on this commitment and we foster and rescue the special needs dogs to make sure they can live a happy life regardless of their impairments.

Pets available

Dogs Cats

Adoption process

1. We require that all applicants be at least 25 years old when applying to adopt one of our dogs. 2. All of our dogs and/or puppies are in foster homes. We do not schedule private “Meet and Greets” without an approved application. Our Adoption Fee starts at $300 per dog. 3. We can adopt an animal ‘out of state’, but you must be willing to travel to where the pet is being fostered, and transport the animal yourself after the adoption. 4. We cannot place a hold on a dog for you. If you are not ready to adopt, please do not complete an application until you are ready to do so. 5. If you have other animals (dogs/cats) in your home, they must be up-to-date on vaccinations, heartworm testing and preventions (dogs), and spayed/neutered. We will verify this with your veterinarian. If your animals are not up to date, your application will be denied. 6. If you do not own the property you live in, you must provide the owner/landlord’s name and phone number. We will contact them to verify that you are permitted to have the pet you are applying for. 7. If you are getting ready to move or are in the process of moving, please do not complete an application until after you are settled in your new home. Please be advised that we reserve the right to conduct a Home Visit if we feel it is necessary before placing an animal with you. 8. Please make sure to fully complete your application; leaving questions blank or not including all requested information will delay your application. 9. Once your online application is submitted, it can take our volunteers 5 to 7 business days to process it. If we have questions about your application, we will email you. Please make sure to add our email, adopt@speakfortheunspoken.com to your email so our messages do not end up in your spam folder! 10. Once your application is approved by the processors, it is sent to the person fostering the dog you have applied for. They will make the decision on whether the animal that you applied for is the right fit for you and your home. They may also choose to initially contact you via email or phone. If you do not respond promptly to their email or phone call, they will move on to the next applicant. 11. Once you have met the dog and the adoption is approved, we have an option of a 24 hour minimum before the adoption is finalized. 12. Once your new pet is home with you, we recommend taking them to a veterinarian of your choice within 10-14 days of adoption for a general check-up, especially for dogs or puppies that have been recently spayed or neutered. 13. If you are interested in multiple dogs, please indicate it appropriately on your application. Once your application is approved your information will be sent to one foster parent at a time to avoid any confusion with multiple people reaching out to you. 14. Your application will be saved on file for 1 year and will be used for all dogs you would be interested in that time-frame. No need to keep filling out applications! Adoption application approval means you are approved to adopt an animal from us, it does not mean you are necessarily approved for the animal you applied for. There may be specific circumstances in your home that do not make it a good fit for one animal, but it may be a fine fit for another.