How the Adoption Process Works at Lhasa Happy Homes

Updated

Lhasa Happy Homes (LHH) is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 rescue and foster-care organization based in Santa Monica, CA, founded in April 2001. It specializes in Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, and Maltese, but also rescues other small, mixed-breed dogs under 20 lbs. To adopt, you must submit an adoption application, and a home visit may be required. The rescue has no public viewing facility, so meet-and-greets happen at its bi-monthly adoption events in Santa Monica.

Who can adopt

LHH describes its mission as matching families with their ideal pets and giving rescued dogs a second chance. Since 2001, it reports having saved over 3,000 dogs, focusing on those that are sick, broken, displaced, or most at risk.

There is no published list of income, housing, or residency requirements on the page. The application itself is the mechanism the rescue uses to evaluate fit, so expect those details to come up there rather than as a posted checklist.

Step-by-step adoption process

  1. Submit an adoption application. The site lists "Adoption Application" as the entry point and links it under "Adopt a Dog – APPLY NOW!" This is required before anything else.
  2. Complete a home visit if needed. If LHH has not yet done a home visit, bring pictures or video of your home and yard to the adoption event — the rescue states this is preferred.
  3. Attend an adoption event. LHH holds events on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, 11am–2:30pm, at 2116 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Check the calendar first, since events can change or be cancelled due to holidays or weather.
  4. Bring your current dog(s). If you already have dogs, bring them. The rescue notes they "make the final decision," meaning a meet-and-greet between your dog and the adoptable dog is part of the process.
  5. Meet available dogs. The site features adoptable dogs such as Apollo, Bronco, Chantilly, and Dawson, with a link to see all available dogs.

What to expect at an adoption event

Detail Information
Frequency 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month
Time 11am – 2:30pm
Location 2116 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Parking Metered street parking
Bring Photos/video of home and yard (if no home visit yet); your current dog(s)
Viewing facility None — events are the public meeting point

Because there is no public viewing facility, the bi-monthly events are effectively the only in-person way to meet the dogs. Plan around the schedule rather than expecting to drop in.

Common questions

Do I need to apply before attending? The application is listed as required, and the site's primary call to action is "Adopt a Dog – APPLY NOW!" Submitting it first is the safest order of operations.

What if I can't make an event? The page does not describe an alternative meeting arrangement. The events are the stated public option, so check the calendar and plan for the 2nd or 4th Sunday.

Can I adopt if I already have a dog? Yes, but bring your dog — the rescue treats the existing dog's reaction as part of the decision.

Is there a fee? The page does not state adoption fees or payment methods. Do not assume adoption is free; ask during the application or at an event.

Other ways to get involved

If adoption isn't the right fit, LHH also lists foster and volunteer paths, each with its own application (Foster Application, Volunteer Application). It accepts donations and runs urgent fundraisers, Ralph's Program, and Amazon Smile as support channels. The site also publishes breed and care resources, including "Lhasa Learnin'," "New Dog Rules," "Housetraining 101," "Aggression vs. Dominance," and "Why Spay/Neuter?" — useful reading before you bring a dog home.

For the current list of adoptable dogs and any schedule changes, start at the rescue's own site and calendar rather than relying on third-party listings.