Instructions
Prove you are capable of humanely caring for a retired military dog. Since military dogs require special care, you may need to show that you have cared for similar types of dogs, such as retired police dogs or search-and-rescue dogs. You must meet all the criteria on a suitability checklist.
Contact the National K-9 Enforcement Rescue Organization (NERO), an agency that focuses solely on the adoption of retired military dogs (see Resources below).
Prepare yourself to deal with a potentially belligerent dog. Specialized training may leave some dogs with an aggressive nature. You frequently may need to engage the dog in play to let out its aggression. Adopting a retired military dog requires you to spend a lot of time working with the dog.
Agree not to hold the government liable for any injuries or damages resulting from owning a retired military dog. For instance, if the dog bites a family member, you can't seek legal action against the government due to this agreement.
Complete the necessary adoption paperwork.
How to Adopt a Retired Military Dog
In 2000, a law was passed that made retired military dogs eligible for adoption. There are special requirements, but if you meet the criteria, you can open your home to a retired military dog. Here's how.