Adoption Process

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Adopting a pet into your home should be considered a lifetime commitment. Pets have arrived in our shelter because their former owners were unable, or unwilling, to continue with that commitment. When deciding about adopting a pet, please take your time with this decision. Carefully consider your family's ability to provide the food, medical care, exercise, shelter - and love - that this companion animal will need for its lifetime.

When visiting one of our two shelters, you will have a variety of pets from which to choose.

Here are the steps that are part of the adoption process:

1. Identify a pet you would like to consider for adoption.
   
   
2. Review the card that is attached to the pet's cage or kennel.
   
   
3. Remove the kennel card and ask a staff member or volunteer to help you spend up-close-and-personal time with the pet.
   
   a. We recommend that you spend at least 20-30 minutes with that pet outside of its cage/kennel.
   
   b. We also recommend that you have as many family members as possible with you during that visit.
   
   (i) Depending on the needs and history of the pet, the adoption counselor may require that certain family members be present to interact with the pet before the adoption can be completed. Please understand, while this may be an inconvenience, it is in the best interest of the pet and the prospective new family.
   
   
4. Ask the staff member if there is any other information on the pet in our files.
   
   
5. Complete the Adoption Questionnaire and meet with an Adoption Counselor when your name is called.
   
   a. In your conversation, be as detailed as you can with the Counselor. Remember our mutual goal is to place the right pet into the permanent home that is best for it AND the family.
   

Here are some other important things to keep in mind during this process:

1. Pets are adopted on a first-come-first served basis. Pets will not be "held" for potential adopters.
   
   
2. Please allow enough time for all the adoption steps. Once you have identified a pet you want to get to know better, you can anticipate it will take at least another hour or more to complete the process.
   
   
3. The shelters close at 5:00 PM, Monday through Saturday and at 4:00 PM on Sunday. a. No more applications will be accepted after 4:30 PM, Monday through Saturday and after 3:30 PM on Sunday.
   
   
4. If you are renting your apartment or home, be sure your landlord will allow you to have a pet of any kind as well as what the restrictions might be on size, breed, etc.
   
   a. It is important for you to do this BEFORE you come to the SPCA.
   b. The same rule applies if you are living with your parents.
   c. Also be sure to ask your landlord about any pet deposits that may be required of you.
   d. If it is determined to be in the best interest of the pet, the adoption counselor may require prior approval from the landlord before the adoption can be completed.
   
   
5. Be sure to bring a picture ID with you, ideally your driver's license.
   
   
6. Once the adoption has been approved, you may take the pet home with you on the same day ONLY if the pet has already been spayed/neutered.
   
   a. If the pet has not yet had its surgery, the staff will place the pet on the surgery schedule on the next available day, and you will be given information on the afternoon to come to the shelter to take your pet home with you.
   
   
7. When leaving the shelter, ALL cats must be placed in a secure container and ALL dogs must be on a secure leash.
   
   a. If needed, you may purchase these items at the shelter.

Based on the needs of the pet, the SPCA reserves the right to set specific criteria for the adoption, refuse an adoption or to require a house-check. Remember, our mutual goal is to place the right pet into the permanent home that is best for it AND the family.

The adoption fee for all dogs and cats, regardless of age, breed, or size is $75. The price includes spay/neuter surgery, dewormer, nationally registered microchip, heartworm test for a dog, feline leukemia/feline AIDS test for a cat and preliminary vaccinations, .

You may pay by cash, check, debit card, MasterCard, Discover Card, or Visa. We do not accept American Express.

 

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