Adoption Information
How to Adopt
Adopting a pet from the Animal Shelter is a two step process:
- You will need to come to the shelter and select an animal appropriate to your lifestyle.
- You will need to fill out an Adoption Application and meet with one of our knowledgeable adoption counselors. After your application is approved, your application stays on file for one year.
Our goal to make lifelong matches! After you have completed these steps, it is simply a matter of paying the adoption fee, and then taking your new family member home.
Adoption Fees
Dog Adoptions:
- $120 dogs under 6 yrs
- $60 dogs 6 yrs and older
- $60 dogs on adoption floor for more than 30 days
Cat Adoptions:
- $100 kittens under 6 months of age ($50 for a 2nd kitten under 6 months)
- $50 cats 6 months to 6 years of age
- $25 cats over 6 years of age
The fee to adopt a dog or cat includes the following services:
- Spay or neuter surgery
- Rabies vaccination
- First set of shots
- Health exam at the shelter
- Health exam at a vet clinic
- Microchip
- Pet License
- Felv/Fiv Test on cat adoptions
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In order to assist you with your selection of a pet from our animal shelter, we would like you to consider the following information.
Expenses
The ownership of a pet comes with some built-in expenses. Consider the following expenses and how they could affect your household budget. Expenses may include: Food, toys, pet bed, crate, grooming, vet visits (yearly shots, check-ups, unforeseen illness or emergencies), training classes, annual license fees, collar, leash, tags, scratching posts, litter box/ litter, dog house, etc. Start-up costs for new pets generally run from $200-300.
Commitment
When selecting a pet, please realize that life expectancies for dogs and cats generally range from 10 to 18 years. Are you and your family prepared to make this lengthy commitment to the animal you would like to adopt? Pet ownership also includes responsibilities for training, vet care and other things necessary for the pet to lead a comfortable, happy life. Many of the animals in our shelter have previous life histories that are unknown to us. Therefore, undesirable behaviors could show up after you have the animal at home. Please be prepared for the possible necessity to deal with chewing, clawing, barking or house soiling during the time the animal is adjusting to your home. All of these behaviors are easily correctable but a commitment is required on the part of the adopter to teach the pet. Adoption staff can advise you in this area.
Lifestyle
It is important for you to select an animal whose personality and care/exercise needs fit your family. Some dogs require lots of exercise; some pets are better with children; and some age groups of puppies and kittens are better suited to young kids. If you have questions about which animal would make the best pet for you, please consult with our adoption staff.
Health
Animals in our shelter may have been exposed to a variety of health issues while at large or here in our shelter. While we make every effort to adopt a healthy pet to you, please be prepared for the possibility that the pet could become ill and if so, you will be required to pay for needed vet care. However, MCAS will provide treatment for upper respiratory infections and other common diseases up to 14 days after adoption. Also, some animals may have known health problems that can be managed. Our animal health staff can advise you in this area.