Safe Haven Pet Rescue is a non-profit, totally volunteer organization that rescues lost, abandoned, and unwanted dogs and cats and places unclaimed pets into new adoptive homes. Adopting a pet is a responsibility and commitment to that animal for the remainder of its life. It is important to ask yourself the questions below before making a decision to adopt a pet. The pre-adoption Questionnaire that you will be asked to fill out is designed to help find the right pet for the right home and the right home for the right pet.
The following information and policies are general guidelines used by our organization.
- All pets are examined by a veterinarian prior to being placed up for adoption. Cats/kittens are tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus after the age of 9 weeks. All pets receive distemper and Rabies vaccinations appropriate for their ages. They are also checked for parasites and treated if neccessary.
- There is an adoption fee of $50.00 for unaltered pets and $75.00 for pets that have been neutered or spayed. This fee allows us to provide the basic veterinary care for another cat or dog that needs to be rescued.
- You will be required to complete the Adoption Questionnaire and an Adoption Contract when you adopt a pet. If you rent or live in a mobile home park or condominium, you will be asked to provide the name and telephone number of your apartment or park manager to verify that you may have a pet where you live.
- Individuals wishing to adopt a pet must be 18 years of age or older in order to sign the adoption contract. A recognized form of identification is required.
- Pets may not be adopted as a gift to be given to another party not in your immediate household. Gift certificates are available to be given so a person may select their own companion pet.
- Unaltered animals adopted from Safe Haven Pet Rescue must be neutered or spayed within the time period specified on the Adoption Contract.
- All declawed cats will be adopted only as strictly indoor pets.
- Safe Haven Pet Rescue cannot guarantee the health and temperament of any animal in a new home situation, even though it has been examined and evaluated by a veterinarian prior to adoption. If a pet is not working out, notify Safe Haven and arrangements will be made for the animal to be returned. Within the first month after adoption, the adoption fee will be refunded upon request.
If you have any questions regarding these policies, please ask to talk to a Safe Haven Pet Rescue representative.
Please read the document below before you make a final decision with regard to adopting a pet...
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Adopting a Pet
1. Have you considered that this cute, playful puppy or kitten will hopefully be with you for the next 15 to 20 years and require care over its entire lifetime?
(If you may not be able to care for a pet for 15-20+ years, remember that you will need to have another means to provide for the animal's care and well-being.)
2. Do you have the time now and in the foreseeable future and are you willing to spend the time it takes to acclimate, train, and exercise your new pet?
(If not, please reconsider if a pet is the right choice for you.)
3. There can be "inconveniences" associated with having a pet. For example, are you prepared for fur on your sofa and carpet, scratch marks on your floors or furniture, and that your house may no longer be "immaculate" when you return home at the end of the day?
(Even short-haired animals shed, and expecting an animal to know to stay off the furniture in your house doesn't mean they always will. Furthermore, puppies chew on furniture, kittens walk across countertops, and animals do not arrive on the earth "housetrained".)
4. Do you know of anyone in your household or frequent visitors to your household who have allergies to pets, and if so, are you prepared to deal with it?
(If you anticipate a problem with allergies, a cat or dog may not be the right choice for your household at this time.)
5. Has everyone in your household consented to the addition of a new pet?
(If even one member of the household is not thrilled with the idea of a pet, the matter needs to be resolved before you bring an animal home.)
6. Have you made preparations for bringing your new pet home, and do you have the time over the next few days to be home with your new pet while it becomes adjusted?
(Do you have a leash, food, a place to contain the animal while it becomes acclimated and/or while you are away from your house, toys, a brush, treats, etc?)
7. Do you have relatives, friends, or neighbors who will take care of your pet while you are on vacation? If not, are you prepared financially to make suitable boarding/pet-sitting arrangements?
(Boarding for animals can cost between $8 and $50+ a day, depending on where you board and who is caring for your animal. Boarding facilities should always be clean, well run, and run with a focus on your pet's happiness and health while you are away.)
8. Are you able and willing to make the financial commitment to provide your new pet with the food and routine medical care it needs each year, as well as any unexpected health problems or injuries that may arise?
(In addition, most communities require that your pet be licensed, which can cost quite a bit depending on where you live.)
9. If you anticipate any changes in your lifestyle that may affect your ability to keep your pet (ie. change of residence, change of work hours, new additions to your family or current family members who may leave your household, etc) in the foreseeable future, will you be prepared to deal with them?
(Remember, if you decide to move, many landlords do not allow pets or require a damage deposit.)
If you can gladly answer yes to all of these questions, you will be rewarded with many years of companionship with your new pet.
Printable Adoption Application
