Adoption Process &Fees
Our writing team is hard at work researching this shelter's adoption process and fees, so this page will be updated soon!
In the meantime, here's some nice-to-know info that applies to nearly every animal shelter, humane society, and rescue.
Why Rescue A Shelter Dog?
Because shelter dogs are full of love!
Is it because they know you saved them and love you harder for it?
Ican't say for certain, but yes.
Jokes aside, there are three things all shelter dogs need to thrive in their new home:
- Love
- Patient
- Training
Older shelter dogs, generally 1+ years old, may have experienced a lot of trauma, which often results in one of 8 common behavioral issues:
- Anxiety
- Aggression toward people & pets
- Resource guarding
- Destructive behavior
- Housetraining regression
- Poor social skills
- Leash reactivity & barrier-related aggression
- Constant whining
These issues are correctable! Your dog isn't broken, they're just damaged. You can fix them with enough love, patience, and a good training plan.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, finding good dog trainers can be hard. Like everything else, dog training is moving only. but there are great online dog trainers that are proven to work and can help get your new pup on the right path.
Animal Shelter vs Humane Society vs Rescue:What's the Difference?
You can learn a lot about an animal welfare organization just by looking at their name.
Animal Shelters
- Most Animal Shelters are city or county-run organizations, often operated by the local Animal Control department, that manage strays and handle owner surrenders.
- They usually have kennel facilities you can visit to adopt animals, and they usually have less stringent adoption requirements, lower adoption fees, and same-day adoptions (because their goal is to get animals out of the shelter).
- Unfortunately, they usually know very little about each animal, including their true personalities and any behavioral problems.
Humane Societies
- Most Humane Societies are non-profit organizations, many of which are no-kill shelters.
- Some (but not all) are affiliated with The Humane Society of the United States.
- They exist to improve animal welfare in the local community and often partner with city or county-run Animal Shelters that often euthanize animals due to capacity restraints.
- They usually have kennel facilities, sometimes at multiple locations, and usually offer other services to the community such as low-cost spay/neuter clinics, community education programs, and more.
- They may also have some animals in foster care.
- There's a lot of variation in process and fees among Humane Societies, but they usually have really good websites that detail everything for you.
Rescues
- Most Rescues are foster-based organizations that don't have physical facilities.
- They usually have websites and contact emails, but not all of them have phone numbers.
- Because they don't have a physical facility, you need to view animals in their foster network online, usually on their website but sometimes on their member pages on either PetFinder or Adopt-a-Pet.
- If you see an animal you'd like to meet, contact the rescue using the process listed on their website or via email. They'll help you through the application process and set up a time for you to meet the animal at the foster's home.
- Adopting from a rescue generally is the most expensive option here and takes the longest, but you get an animal that's been cared for in a loving home environment and their foster can tell you a lot about their personality.
6 Tips to Improve Your Adoption Experience
Adoption processes vary drastically from organization to organization, but here are some general tips that apply in most instances. Note that we'll use the term "shelters" here for simplicity but it includes all types of rescue organizations.
- See an animal online that you'd like to meet?Call the shelter before your visit to make sure the animal is still available. This especially applies for puppies, which are adopted out quickly.
- Usually, you'll need to get some paperwork in order: a photo ID, vaccination/medical records for any pets you currently have, possibly your vet's contact info and a couple of personal references, and (for renters) proof you're allowed to have a pet (copy of your lease or your landlord's contact info).
- If you need to provide contact info for your vet, let your vet know ahead of time. Otherwise, they may not release your information.
- Many shelters require your current dogs to meet adoptive dogs. Your current dogs need to be up-to-date on vaccinations.
- Some shelters require you to schedule a home visit to ensure a suitable living environment for the new animal.
- Adoption fees may seem excessive, but they're actually amazing values. Truthfully, caring for a pet is expensive. Most adoption fees include required medical care to get the animal ready for their new home including (but not limited to) spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, general vet exams, flea/tick treatment, deworming, heartworm testing/treatment for dogs, and feline leukemia and feline AIDS testing/treatment for cats. In general, your adoption fee is less than the cost of this care, so you're saving money in addition to your new animal's life!
If you have any questions about adopting an animal (what you'll need, what to expect, etc.) feel free to contact the PetLists team!
For more information about what's included in your adoption fee, or any other questions about the adoption process, reach out to
Parma Animal Shelter
in
Cleveland
,
Ohio
directly using the contact info above.
FAQs
You'll save money.
Many pets in the shelter system are already spayed or neutered and if not, shelters often receive a discount from their participating veterinarian and passes the savings on to the adoptive family. Also, adoption fees are much less expensive than buying from a breeder or pet store.
Why is it better to adopt a pet from a shelter than buy? ›
The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. When you adopt, you save a loving animal by making them part of your family and open up shelter space for another animal who might desperately need it.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog in Canada? ›
Step 3 – Meet and Greet – Finalizing Adoption
| TYPE | PRICING |
|---|
| Adult Dogs (local) | $350 |
| Adult Dogs (transfer) | $450 |
| Puppies (local and transfer) | $500 |
| Cats | $200 |
2 more rowsAdoption FAQ
| Adoption Fees for Dogs | |
|---|
| Puppies (6 months & under) | $300 |
| Small Adult Dogs (less than 30lbs) | $300 |
| Medium & Large Adult Dogs (30lbs or more) | $85 |
| Small Senior Dogs (7 years & older) | $200 |
5 more rowsBe prepared, some of these may be shocking.
- Limited Options. First, I must address the limited options there are in rescue pets. ...
- Not an Easy Search. ...
- Outrageous Price. ...
- Good Luck Trying to Train Them. ...
- You Get Labeled. ...
- Gruesome Side Effects.
Generally, adopting is much cheaper than buying – averaging up to 90% cheaper from a shelter when compared to a breeder! Shelter to shelter, the cost will vary, but prices to adopt a cat range from $30 to $300, while dogs are more in the $100-$700 range.
How many shelter animals are euthanized each year? ›
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates more than 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized each year, whereas the Best Friends Animal Society, which works toward no-kill policies, estimated the number was closer to 378,000 dogs and cats in 2022.
What do puppy mills mean? ›
What are puppy mills? Inhumane high-volume dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies for profit, ignoring the needs of the pups and their mothers. They commonly sell through internet sales, online classified ads, flea markets and pet stores.
Why shelters are better than breeders? ›
On the contrary, many shelters provide medical care before adoption. In most cases, an adopted dog would be vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and given antiparasitics. A few could go the extra mile and provide identification (like microchipping) and other services, like tracking, at no additional cost.
Where is the best place to get a dog? ›
Your local animal shelter or rescue organization can help you find the right match for your family. There are also breed-specific rescue groups for every breed of dog, including "designer" or "hybrids" like labradoodles and puggles.
According to our survey of more than 1,000 dog owners, most spent an average of $40 to $290 per month on their dogs — or an average of $480 to $3,470 annually.
What is the average yearly vet bill for a dog? ›
The average national cost for a dog's routine check-up is $50 to $250. Overall vet costs including wellness check-ups, dental care, lab tests and vaccines can total between $700 and $1,500 per year.
Will a puppy miss his mother? ›
That's how a new puppy feels when you bring him home for the first time. Most responsible breeders and experts advise that a puppy should not be separated from his mother until he's at least eight weeks old. In the early weeks of his life, he's completely dependent on his mother.
Why are dogs so expensive to adopt? ›
Adoption fees help cover the medical care of the animal while he or she waits for a new home, as well as food and transportation costs. These fees help to provide care for the other animals in the shelter or rescue group who may have medical bills that are much higher than any possible adoption fee.
How old do you have to be to adopt a dog from a shelter in Florida? ›
If the pet is already sterilized he or she can go home the same day, otherwise the surgery is normally scheduled the next day and the pet can go home the day after surgery. Please note adopters must be 18 years or older and present a valid photo ID, and no adoptions are processed 30 minutes prior to closing.
Why is it so hard and expensive to adopt? ›
While the adoption journey is an emotional one for prospective birth mothers and adoptive families, the adoption process is a legal function. Adoptions completed by fully licensed agencies are held to high ethical standards, which can mean more paperwork and higher costs.
What's the difference between adopting and buying? ›
Adopted animals are just as benevolent as animals from a breeder. 99 percent of dogs in animal rescues are healthy and ready to adopt! Buying a pet from a breeder can cost more than $1000. Adoption from a shelter costs between $50 and $250 and they will also spay, neuter, and vaccinate.
Are pet adoptions really skyrocketing? ›
Pet adoptions skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly 1 in 5 households adopted a pet during the pandemic, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Even President Biden adopted a dog, Commander, and a cat, Willow.
How does adopting a pet save lives? ›
Every day, dogs and cats are killed in America's shelters simply because they don't have safe places to call home. That means when you adopt an animal, you are gaining a loving companion and saving a life at the same time.
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