How to Adopt a Collie from Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue (MWCR)

To adopt from MWCR, start by reviewing the Available Collies listings on mwcr.org, then submit the adoption application linked from the site's Adopt section. MWCR is a volunteer, 501(c)3 nonprofit that rescues rough and smooth Collies (and sometimes Collie mixes on a space-available basis), places them in foster homes, provides medical care, assesses each dog's traits and personality, and matches dogs to adoptive homes. Expect the process to run through the rescue's foster network rather than a shelter building, and expect the timeline to depend on volunteer availability and on finding a dog that fits your home.

Before you apply

• Know what MWCR takes in. The rescue accepts rough and smooth Collies and may accept Collie mixes on a space-available basis. If you are set on a specific coat type or a purebred, say so in your application so the match is realistic.
• Understand the geography. Volunteers and foster homes are located in Minnesota and Wisconsin and several other states. MWCR has placed Collies from New York to Texas to California to Canada as well as in its home region, so ask about transport and distance early rather than assuming a local pickup.
• Check the cost side yourself. The site does not publish adoption fees or payment details in the material available, so confirm fees, what they cover, and any deposit or contract terms directly with MWCR before committing.

Step-by-step adoption process

1. Browse the Available Collies

The site lists adoptable dogs with basic profiles. Current examples include:

Use these listings to see what is actually available at the moment, including age, coat, and color. Listings change as dogs are adopted, so check back rather than treating any single dog as guaranteed.

2. Submit the adoption application

Go to the Adopt section of mwcr.org and complete the adoption application. This is the formal start of the process; browsing alone does not put you in line for a dog. Fill it out completely and honestly, especially about your household, other pets, and experience with herding breeds, because the rescue uses this information for matching.

3. Expect a personality-based match

MWCR's stated purpose is to assess each Collie's traits and personality and find the best possible adoptive match. That means the rescue, not the adopter alone, drives the pairing. You may be steered toward a dog whose temperament fits your situation rather than the one you first noticed. Treat the listed profiles as a starting point and be open to the rescue's recommendation.

4. Work through the foster stage

Dogs live in foster homes where they receive medical care and are evaluated before adoption. Foster and adoption work together: the foster home's observations feed the matching decision. Ask what the foster home has learned about the dog's behavior with kids, cats, other dogs, and leash manners, since that is the information the rescue is basing its match on.

5. Complete the adoption and stay connected

Once matched, finalize the adoption with MWCR according to its contract and fee terms. After adoption, the site offers ways to stay involved, including membership, volunteering, and donations, and MWCR maintains an Adopted Collies section and a Rainbow Bridge memorial page.

Verify before you commit

• Confirm the dog's current availability directly with MWCR, since listings can lag behind placements.
• Confirm fees, contract terms, and any spay/neuter or medical requirements in writing.
• Confirm transport or pickup logistics if you live outside Minnesota or Wisconsin.
• Confirm the dog's known health and behavior history from the foster home.

Common sticking points

• Applying for one specific dog. The rescue matches on temperament, so a single-dog application can stall. Apply broadly and let the match happen.
• Assuming local pickup. With foster homes across several states and placements as far as Canada, ask about distance and transport up front.
• Skipping the mix question. If you are open to a Collie mix, say so; availability depends on space.
• Expecting a fast turnaround. This is an all-volunteer organization, so response times and placement timing vary.

Other ways to help if adoption isn't the right fit

MWCR lists fostering, donating, volunteering, and membership (new and renewal) as ways to support the mission. Fostering is also the pipeline that makes adoptions possible, so it is a reasonable first step if your home isn't ready for a permanent dog. Donations are tax deductible, and MWCR is a 501(c)3 organization (WI dog license #268673-DS). The site also promotes its 2026 Annual Dinner and Fundraiser on Saturday, October 24, at the Radisson Hotel on Harborview Plaza in La Crosse, WI, from 4–8 pm, with guest speaker Barbara O'Brien, and 2027 Collie Calendars available for purchase.