But what if I'm not sure if I want to adopt the dog? The application is a contract, right?

The application is a tool we use to get to know more about you and your suitability as a potential adopter. We have policies regarding who is approved to adopt and who is not. The application is reviewed by several members of our group and vet references are checked. Until the application is approved and signed by both our representative and the potential adopter, it is not a contract. By filling one out, you are not obligated to adopt the dog. While we're happy to answer any questions about the dog you may have via email or by phone (512-527-9923), we do not set up meetings outside of our scheduled events for people who have not filled out an application.