We welcome applications to adopt an Airedale or Airedale mix from residents of Virginia and West Virginia.

If you live outside our area, our national affiliate provides a list of regional Airedale rescues in the US and Canada.

Steps to Adopt an Airedale or Airedale Mix

A young boy sitting at a table grooming a large, fluffy dog with a small tool.

Our adoption process aims to make the best match for both our dogs and adopters.

Our volunteers foster dogs in their homes in order to get to know our rescues.

And we want to understand the circumstances and expectations of adopters in order to make a good, successful placement.

A hiker and her dog on a mountain summit, with blue sky and scattered clouds in the background.
A young boy is holding a large, fluffy, tan-colored dog with a red bandana around its neck inside a house with wooden flooring, a dining table, and a sliding glass door with purple curtains in the background.
A smiling woman with white hair, wearing a pink sweatshirt, sitting on the floor and hugging a tan and black dog with a scruffy coat indoors.
Smiling man, woman, and a happy dog inside a car.

Dogs are adopted under a legal contract between the new owner and ATRVA.

Please take a moment to review our Conditions for Adoption, which also includes our fee structure. Then, please fill out an application form.

A newlywed couple, a man in a blue suit and a woman in a wedding dress, kneeling outdoors with a dog on a cobblestone street. The man is smiling and the woman is petting the dog, which has its tongue out.
Adoption application form

Within two weeks, you will receive an email with more about the adoption process and an invitation to call us at your convenience.

A family of four standing outdoors on a sunny day in a park or backyard, with trees in the background. The mother is holding a small brown and black puppy, and a young girl is hugging the puppy. The father is standing to the left, and an older daughter is standing behind the mother, wearing a pink hooded jacket.

If you decide to continue with an application, one of our volunteers will follow up with a home visit. It’s a chance to meet a lively Airedale, if you are not familiar with the breed!

There may not be a suitable dog in rescue when you apply, but we maintain a waiting list of vetted applicants and will notify you as soon as a dog becomes available.

A man smiling with closed eyes while holding a curly-haired dog close to his face.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Airedale Terrier Rescue Community