For recent adopters
Adopted in the last six months? The first visit is on us.
A 45-minute in-home assessment, normally $125, free for anyone who adopted a dog from a shelter or rescue in the last six months. No strings. Just proof of the adoption date.
"We are advocates of the misunderstood and mistreated pets in our communities. They need us but we simply don't deserve them."
Four steps
How to claim it.
Nothing to apply for. Book the call, send the paperwork, meet Phillip.
- 1
Book the free call.
Tell Phillip where the dog came from and when. He'll ask about the first weeks: sleep, food, house training, how the dog is with the leash and with visitors.
- 2
Fill in the intake form and upload your adoption paperwork.
Adoption contract, shelter receipt or rescue agreement showing a date within the last six months. Vet and vaccination records go on the same form. It takes about five minutes.
- 3
The 45-minute assessment visit. $0.
Phillip comes to your home, meets the dog on the dog's terms, watches what you're worried about, and leaves you with a plan for the next few weeks. Same visit everyone else pays $125 for.
- 4
Decide what happens next, if anything.
Some adopters need nothing more. Some book a couple of private lessons at the normal $175. Everyone is invited to Community Outings, which are free. There's no catch and no upsell script.
The first month
What usually goes wrong, and when.
Most adopted dogs are quiet for the first few days. Then they start to feel safe enough to show you who they are: the barking at the window, the growl over the food bowl, the panic when you leave, the lunge at the dog next door. That's not the dog "turning". It's the dog arriving.
A visit in that window does two things. It tells you which of those behaviors are normal decompression and which need work, and it gives you a routine that makes the next month calmer for everybody. People who get that early rarely end up on the phone to the rescue asking about returns.
Phillip's guide to the first 30 daysLocal shelters and rescues
If you adopted from one of these, you probably qualify.
- Iredell County Animal ServicesStatesvilleWebsite
- Lake Norman HumaneMooresvilleWebsite
- Cornelius Animal ShelterCorneliusWebsite
- Humane Society of CharlotteCharlotte, adoption center in HuntersvilleWebsite
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & ControlCharlotteWebsite
- American Pit Bull FoundationCharlotte, foster-basedWebsite
Adopted somewhere not listed? Still counts. Any shelter, rescue or foster organization is fine.
Straight answers
Adopter questions
Who qualifies for the free assessment?
Anyone who adopted a dog from a shelter, rescue or foster organization within the last six months and lives in the area Phillip covers (Mooresville, Statesville, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville and nearby). You'll need a document showing the adoption date. Fosters with a dog in their care can ask too.
What counts as proof of adoption?
An adoption contract, a shelter receipt, a rescue agreement or an email from the organization with the dog's name and the date. Upload it through the intake form, or bring it to the visit. If you're not sure what you have, send Phillip a photo of it.
Does 'free' mean a shorter or different visit?
No. It's the same 45-minute Initial Assessment Visit, in your home, with the same written plan afterward. The only difference is the invoice.
Why give this away?
Because the first weeks are when adopted dogs get returned. A dog that's growling at the cat, won't go in the crate, or lunged at the neighbor's dog is easier to help at week two than month six, and the person who's about to give up needs the help to cost nothing. Phillip has spent years around rescues. This is the part of the business he cares about most.
Can a shelter or rescue refer people directly?
Yes, please. Email Phillip and he'll send something you can hand to adopters at pickup. He's also happy to talk about outings, volunteer days or a short session for your foster team.
Next step
Bring the paperwork. The visit is free.
Book the free call, tell Phillip where the dog came from, and he'll send you the intake link for the adoption proof and vet records.
Adopted in the last 6 months? Your assessment visit is free. How it works.
