Adoption
How to Adopt a Cane Corso
A Cane Corso is 100 pounds of loyalty, drive and opinion. Our process is thorough on purpose — it is how we keep dogs from being returned.
The process
1. Submit an application
Tell us about your home, your experience, your schedule and what you are looking for. Be honest — we are matching, not selling.
2. Phone screen
A 20-minute conversation with a member of our team. We will ask about training plans, exercise, vet references and what you would do if things got hard.
3. Home check
In person for Phoenix metro adopters, virtual for the rest of Arizona. We look at fencing, containment and where the dog will actually live.
4. Meet-and-greet
You meet the dog at their foster home, with any resident dogs and every member of your household present.
5. Adoption day
Contract signed, fee paid, microchip transferred. The dog leaves with their medical records, current food and a starter kit.
6. Lifetime support
We stay reachable for training questions forever, and our contract requires the dog return to us if the placement ever fails.
What we look for
We are not looking for perfect people. We are looking for realistic ones. The adopters who succeed with this breed have three things in common: a secure home, a genuine training plan, and the humility to ask for help early.
- Securely fenced yard, six feet or taller, or a concrete containment plan
- Landlord approval in writing if you rent
- A vet reference, or a chosen vet if this is your first dog in Arizona
- Willingness to do at least one structured obedience course
- An honest read on your household — children, other dogs, guests, work hours
Arizona adds one more requirement: a heat plan. Corsos are brachycephalic enough that summer walks happen before sunrise or after dark, and no Corso of ours lives outdoors.
Start your application
Adoption FAQ
How much does it cost to adopt a Cane Corso from a rescue?
Our adoption fee is $450 for dogs under six years and $250 for seniors. The fee covers spay or neuter, all core vaccines, microchip with registration, deworming, heartworm testing and any medical treatment the dog received in our care. It rarely covers what we actually spend.
How long does the adoption process take?
Timing varies for each dog and home. After you apply, we review your application, schedule a phone screen, complete a virtual or in-person home check, and set up one or more meet-and-greets before the dog goes home.
Do you adopt outside Arizona?
We prioritize Arizona homes so we can do a proper home check and stay available for post-adoption support. Out-of-state applicants in neighboring states are considered case by case, and transport is the adopter's responsibility.
Why would an application be denied?
The most common reasons are no fenced yard, a rental with breed restrictions, small children in the home for a dog that needs an adult-only household, and no experience with large working breeds paired with an unwillingness to train.
Keep reading
Not ready to adopt?
Fostering costs you nothing but time — we cover food and all medical care.