Adoption Information

All potential adopters complete an application and the shelter will arrange a home visit or obtain a vet reference to approve the adoption. You may apply for pre-approval in person or by faxing your application to (386) 445-5843. Adoption fee includes: spay/neuter, vaccines, worming, Heartworm test for dogs, FeLV/FIV test for cats,  local vet exam, and 10 lb. bag Science Diet. Male Dog or Cat $80, Female Dog or Cat $90.

Can’t adopt at this time? You can increase a pet’s chance for a permanent home by fostering or sponsoring a spay/neuter or medical treatment.

Pet ownership can be a wonderful experience. It also involves responsibility, time, and expense, and should be viewed as a lifetime commitment. This includes making arrangements for your pet’s care should you no longer be able to provide it.

Like people, they can develop health issues. Behavioral problems can also occur, though most of the behaviors we deem “problems” are merely expressions of an animals natural instincts…such as scratching, biting or soiling. They are only undesirable to us because they are inconvenient or incompatible with our domestic environment. Shelters are filled with animals who are homeless because their owners were not prepared for the realities of pet ownership. Please consider the following before adopting a pet:

Lifestyle
This issue is key when determining if your everyday routine will be compatible with pet ownership. Ask yourself the following:

How much time and energy will I have to give? A puppy may require more for proper socialization and training; active adults will need sufficient exercise to prevent boredom; some breeds require regular grooming., etc.

Will I be moving soon? If so, are pets permitted and under what conditions? Is there adequate space? Is the condition of my home property (furniture, etc) a major concern?

Obedience training
It is fairly apparent that we perceive our environment differently than animals do. Why then do we find it so frustrating and confusing when our beloved pets seem to ignore or even defy our wishes? We cannot expect our pets to follow our direction unless we learn to relate to them in a way they can understand. Obedience training is about communicating with your pet so you can successfully redirect unwanted behavior to an acceptable outlet. The process is usually fun and rewarding for both pet and owner. Please ask our staff for referral information.

Multiple Pet Households
Consider how your other pet will adjust to a new arrival and vice versa. It is easy to assume your older pet who has been alone all these years needs a new pup or kitten to “perk him up”. Or, perhaps you simply wish to open your heart and home to another animal for whatever reason. Often, this can work out nicely, but be prepared for what can sometimes be a lengthy adjustment period. Animals are creatures of habit – any significant change in their home can feel uncomfortable or even threatening. Expressions of jealousy and territorial behavior are not uncommon reactions early on, though in time, most will co-exist harmoniously. When presenting any new pet, it is important to focus equal attention on the original animal and to monitor the initial stages of the introduction process until both pets demonstrate tolerance for each other.

Children
Many children are naturally drawn to animals unless they have been conditioned otherwise. We all love the endearing sight of a child playing or cuddling with the family pet. Ultimately, your child learns how to treat animals by watching how you treat the family pet. They will study you providing daily care. They will also pay close attention to how you react when when the pet scratches furniture, barks excessively, or soils in the house. Frustrating as these problems can be, getting rid of the pet can send the wrong message about commitment and responsibility. Often shelter staff, a vet or a dog trainer can help you resolve issues and keep the family together.

Children and pets can be a great combination and the chance for success can be improved by considering these factors:

How old are they? Though you are the best judge of your child’s overall maturity, at the very least, your child should exhibit self-control and understand the word “no”. It may a good idea to first observe your child around a friend’s or relative’s pet. Some animals are less tolerant, so the individual disposition of the prospective animal is important.

How old is the pet? Younger pets can be easy to train and more adaptable. However, puppies and kittens require extra time and are more prone to play biting and scratching. Therefore, adopting a friendly, calm adult pet with a history of doing well with children may be a good option. The best pets for kids are those who have received socialization, training and attention.

Does the child understand the reality of pet ownership? Perhaps your older child has promised to “take care of” the pet in exchange for its acquisition, but this can be an unrealistic expectation. Children need to be taught what is involved in the daily routine maintenance of even a healthy, well-behaved animal. Children can participate in pet care tasks that are appropriate for their age. This is a great opportunity to teach responsibility, but best addressed in advance, rather than negotiated at the shelter where impulse and wagging tails may influence the decision to adopt.

Can the child be supervised around the new pet? Younger children need to be taught that even a docile pet needs space, especially when eating or resting. They need to become familiar with “warning signs” (such as hissing or growling), that indicate their pet wants to be left alone. Even certain games are safer than others – for example, fetch is preferable to tug-of-war, which may prompt dominant behavior in some animals.

Pet ownership should be viewed as a lifetime commitment.
Of course, even with the best of intentions and preparation, unforeseen circumstances can sometimes make permanent ownership difficult or even impossible. Although a shelter is not an ideal environment, it is more stressful to an animal to be repeatedly shifted from one home to another. So, in all fairness to the animal, please be responsible in your decision to adopt. Our shelter has free material available on new pet introductions to children and other animals, housetraining, and many other related topics.

Have your heart set on a particular breed?
Purebred animals end up in shelters more often than you may think, so check shelters first! You can also consider adopting from a “breed rescue” group. These are regional or national groups of coordinators, transporters and foster homes committed to the rescue and placement of homeless purebred animals (some groups have mixed breeds as well). These people are volunteers, and most work full time jobs, so please allow some time for them to respond to your inquiry. For more information, please visit our Useful Links page.