Adoption Process
You are about to make a very important decision. Owning a pet means providing essentials such as a balanced diet, litter, licensing, socialization and vaccinations. Remember, providing a home and care for a pet is a lifetime commitment.
If interested, take a look at our online list of animals ready for adoption or come and visit us at 11 River Street. Both will give you an idea of the types of animals that are available for adoption daily.
The Five Steps To Adoption:
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Fill out an application
When you come into the shelter please complete an application form. Forms for both dogs, cats and small domestics are located on the table in the front lobby. Take your time, answering each question completely and honestly. If you do not understand a question, please ask one of our adoption staff for assistance. Keep your completed form with you - you will need it for your adoption interview. Bring your form to a staff member at the front desk to be approved and allowed into the adoption rooms. (you will be asked for a piece of photo id we can photocopy for security reasons).
- Choose a pet:
Take your time choosing your new pet. The animal's gender, age and type can be found on the sheets attached to the clipboard outside the cage. Please do not touch the animals! We know it's hard to stop yourself from petting them, but by keeping your hands away from the cages, you reduce the potential for spreading disease from animal to animal. Speak softly to the animals and avoid sudden movements. Our animals are already under a lot of stress and you want to see them at their best.
- Speak to Staff:
When you have selected the pet you want to adopt please speak to one of our staff. You may have to wait. Please be patient. An interview must be thorough to determine if a potential adopter will provide a good home for the particular animal he or she has chosen.
- The Interview:
Your personal interview with an adoption staff member will determine if the animal you have chosen is the right one for you, and that you are the right owner for him or her. When your number is called, show the adoption interviewer the animal you would like to adopt. You will then be asked to enter one of our 'interview rooms' located in front of Room G. Please have identification ready to present to adoption staff. Specifically we need two (2) pieces of ID which provide proof of your address (ie: mail, copy of lease or bank statement) as well as photo ID.
PLEASE ANSWER EACH QUESTION HONESTLY. If you do not understand a question, please ask your interviewer to explain.
If Your Application is Accepted: Congratulations! Your pet will be microchipped, where a microchip (about the size of a grain of rice) is implanted under the pet's skin to provide permanent pet identification. The implant is safe and painless.
If Your Application is Declined: The reason will be stated. Our interviewers are trained specifically to determine what lifestyle is most suitable for the animal in question. You may appeal the interviewer's decision. Please ask to speak to the supervisor on duty. If you are not fully satisfied with his/her response, please ask to have your case reviewed by the Adoption Review Committee.
- Payment:
We do not charge any money for our animals, but ask for your donation to sustain our good work.
Please Note: Applications should allow a minimum of an hour for the adoption process.
Basic Requirements:
- You must bring proper photo identification with 2 pieces of proof of current address (ie. mail, copy of lease or bank statement).
- All individuals who will reside with—or be in frequent contact with—the adopted animal should be present at the adoption interview (only applies to dogs).
- If you currently have dogs in your home, we encourage you to bring them to the adoption interview so we can conduct a "meet and greet". This process ensures your new pet will adapt successfully in your home. Please note that this is for dogs only. Cats are not to be brought into the shelter for a 'meet and greet'.
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 New Shelter adoption hours are:
Now Open for Adoptions, Seven Days a Week, 12pm to 6 pm
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