Frequently Asked Questions

Murrieta, California.

No. The ranch is a private residence and is not open to the public.

No. Most of our dogs are in private foster homes. The Misfit Ranch is not a shelter.

Visit our Adoptable Pets page to browse current listings and check back often as fosters and availability change.

Start by browsing adoptable dogs on our website, then submit the free adoption application. If approved, we'll contact you to schedule a meet-and-greet.

Every dog is different. Some settle in quickly, but most need time, patience, and consistency. The 3-3-3 Rule is a helpful guide: 3 days to decompress (may not eat much, may hide, potty regression is common), 3 weeks to start learning your routine, and ~3 months to truly feel at home. Some behavioral regression can happen during the first 3 months—don't give up. You're always welcome to reach out for support and tips.

The first step is to submit a free adoption application. If approved, we'll contact you to schedule a meet-and-greet.

Once approved, we will contact you to schedule a meet-and-greet. Most meet-and-greets happen in Menifee or Murrieta and are scheduled with the foster family and a Misfit Ranch adoption counselor. To respect our volunteers' time, we offer one meet-and-greet.

If you decide to proceed, you must be able to take the dog home directly from the meet-and-greet unless arrangements are made with us BEFORE the meet-and-greet. We do not “hold” dogs—until an adoption is finalized, they may be available to other adopters.

If you would like to proceed with the adoption at the meet-and-greet, payment of adoption fees will be due. We accept Cash, PayPal, Venmo, Check, and Zelle. Please do not submit payment until after meeting the dog.

Typical adoption fees are: $350 for puppies under 6 months, $250 for adolescents and adults (6 months up to 7 years old), and $150 for seniors (8 years and older). Fees may be higher for some dogs (usually depending on medical expenses). Please verify the fee for a specific dog prior to the meet-and-greet. Adoption fees are non-refundable.

No. Adoption fees rarely cover what we have already spent on a dog’s medical care, food, and supplies, and they are what funds the next rescue — one dog’s fee helps offset their care so those funds are free again for the next dog who needs us. Waiving a fee does not make a dog free; it shifts the cost onto the dogs still waiting. Read the full explanation on our blog.

Spay/neuter (or arrangements with an approved vet if a puppy is not old enough yet), current vaccines (and a plan for remaining vaccines if needed), rabies vaccine, microchip, and a martingale collar + leash. The martingale helps prevent slipping out of the collar; we recommend leaving the collar and tag on, and leaving the leash on for the first week to help keep your new dog safe.

We primarily serve the Inland Empire region including Temecula, Menifee, Hemet, Winchester, Murrieta, and Wildomar. However, we may consider adoptions to nearby areas on a case-by-case basis.

We want every adoption to be successful. But once a Misfit, always a Misfit: we take back any Misfit Ranch dog if they are ever returned, so they will never end up in a shelter. If for any reason the adoption doesn't work out, please contact us. Why this promise makes us selective.

Go slowly: walks, dog-friendly places, and short car rides build confidence over time. Get your dog comfortable with a collar, leash, and properly fitted harness before you need them, and correct unwanted behavior consistently. Skip the dog park as a first outing — it can be overwhelming for a new or recently adopted dog. Read our full guide to socializing a new dog.

Yes! The Misfit Ranch is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 39-3327714). All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You will receive a receipt for your records.

Donations directly support our rescue dogs through veterinary care, food, shelter improvements, rehabilitation, and daily care. Every dollar helps us save more lives and provide the best possible care for our animals.

Absolutely! Monthly donors are the backbone of our rescue. Recurring donations help us plan for ongoing care and ensure we can continue our mission. You can set up monthly giving through our donation page.

Yes, we gratefully accept dog food, blankets, toys, cleaning supplies, and other items. Please contact us before dropping off donations so we can let you know our current needs.

A registered 501(c)(3) that saves animals in need, provides foster care while they heal and decompress, covers their food/vet/spay-neuter costs, and relies entirely on donations to do it — no one on our team draws a paycheck. Read what a nonprofit rescue actually does, day to day.

We welcome volunteers for various tasks including dog walking, socialization, event support, foster care, and administrative help. Contact us through our website to learn about current volunteer opportunities.

No prior experience is necessary! We provide training and guidance for all volunteer positions. A love for animals and a willingness to help is all you need to get started.

Fill out the foster application on our website. Foster homes must be in Riverside or San Diego County and willing to transport to Temecula / Murrieta / Menifee as needed for meet-and-greets and coordination.

More than a place to sleep: care and security, structure and training, a safe decompression period, and regular photos and updates so we can learn who each dog really is and find them the right forever home. Read what fostering really looks like.

We rescue dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes. Many of our dogs are "misfits"—those overlooked in shelters due to age, medical needs, or simply being misunderstood. Every dog deserves a chance at a loving home.

Yes, all dogs available for adoption are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations, microchipped, and have received a veterinary health check before going to their forever homes.

We are 100% foster-based. If we do not have an open foster home, we cannot take a dog in. We wish we could help them all. Please contact us and we will do our best to share resources and referrals.