Ready to Adopt?

So, you are finally ready to adopt a pet – great! What should you expect from the adoption process? Your new pet will most likely be a part of your life for many years. Ask yourself the following questions to ensure you are prepared.

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Are you ready to make that commitment?

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Can you afford the costs of your new pet, medical care and emergencies, boarding costs if you travel, food, toys, grooming?

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Is where you live appropriate for the type of pet you’ve chosen?

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If you need to move, will you take your pet with you?

Please visit: find pet friendly housing before you plan your move.

 

Is the breed and/or age of the pet you’re interested in a good fit for your lifestyle?

Be honest! If you’re a couch potato at heart, your good intentions of going to the park every day with a young, active dog might not come to pass.

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How much time do you have available for your pet, in comparison to the needs of the pet you’ve chosen? For example, a puppy is not a good choice for someone who works long hours. Bored dogs tend to find things to do, such as chew things, dig holes, etc.

 

What to Expect...

When you bring your new pet home, please realize this is all a big change for him or her! Even a young puppy or kitten has had several situations to adjust to before coming home with you. An adult dog or cat may have had many more. Somehow or another, though no fault of her own, your new dog or cat may have found herself homeless and then bounced around through any number of changes, and it may take her some time to settle into her new home. Try to be reasonable in your expectations. Accidents may occur. Set rules for your dog to follow and make sure everyone else in the family is prepared to follow through on those rules as well. Sometimes it can take many weeks until your pet becomes completely comfortable. Please commit to giving them that time!

 

If you’re adopting a cat, he might hide when he first gets home. He might forget some of his litter box habits or bringing a new pet home might cause your previous cats to not use one. Give him time! Some encouragement, a lot of love and even more PATIENCE and he’ll be a wonderful companion.

 

If you’re adopting a dog, he might already have negative opinions of people. He might flinch when you move quickly, or raise your voice. Approach him with confidence and he will learn to be confident too. He may forget his manners, if he knew them at all, and need you to show him the rules again, consistently and fairly. It might take some time and again lots of PATIENCE but soon he will become your dog and it will all be worthwhile.

 

Are you still with us? Good! Not all dogs or cats will come with this much baggage but it’s best to be prepared! When you consider how many hundreds of unwanted dogs and cats come through our shelter every year, you’ll understand why it’s so important to us to try to assure the best possible adoptions, so you and your pet have many enjoyable years together.

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Things to Know Before Adopting

• Adopters must be eighteen (18) years of age, and we would love to meet all family members or room mates prior to adoption. This allows family members and room mates to ask questions and participate in the adoption as well. We will also need a copy of your photo ID to process your survey and questionnaire.

• If you rent an apartment, house, live in a trailer park, or are under a land contract, we strongly encourage you to have a conversation about wanting to adopt a pet with your landlord first, so they are aware, and can grant permission if they have pet restrictions, and so you are aware of any fees that are associated in bringing home your new pet.

• If you have room mates, we strongly encourage you to involve them in the process so everyone is excited and welcoming of your new friend!

• We cannot guarantee breed, estimated size of puppies when full grown, or any other statements made on the website, at visits, or at our adoption events about our animals.

• All of our pets have been spayed or neutered, receive core vaccines appropriate to their age, tested for heart worm and current on prevention in dogs, tested for FIV/FeLV in cats, received an initial de-worming and flea prevention, and a free physical exam to local participating veterinary offices.

• All of our pets are also microchipped prior to adoption.

• If you are adopting a cat, please bring a carrier to safely transport your new friend home, and if you are adopting a dog, please bring a collar and a leash. Carriers, collars, and leashes are available for purchase at our shelter.

• “Free” pets from your friends and neighbors, are not always “Free”. In fact, if the animal doesn’t have any medical history, to get the animal spayed or neutered, and current on all age appropriate vaccinations could cost you a minimum of $200. This doesn’t include all of the other “extra’s” we do for our animals prior to adoption.

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