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ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION

Adoption Fees:
We accept cash, check, debit card, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover

Special Adoption Incentive Programs

Project Purrfect: $50 discount off the adoption fee for cats between 1-7 years old which have been available for adoption for 30 days or longer. Cannot be combined with any other adoption discount programs.

Senior Citizen Discount: $20 discount off the adoption fee for a dog or cat between 1 and 7 years old for qualified adopters over 65 years of age.  Cannot be combined with any other adoption discount programs.

Choosing a pet:

Thank you for making shelter adoption your first option. By adopting a pet you are making a difference in two lives, the life of the pet you take home, and the life of the pet waiting for space to open in the Society.

Your new pet is counting on you for care and love for their entire life; for many animals this can be 15 years or longer. Please give careful consideration to the financial, emotional and time commitments necessary to keep your new pet happy and healthy. We may request that you take a 24-your period to ponder the decision you are about to make as it will have a lasting effect on you, your family and your lifestyle.

Adoption Counseling:

We promote the concept of pets living inside the home with their families. All pets need a loving, secure home with proper food, water, shelter, exercise, medical care, companionship and supervision.

Our staff is trained to assist you in selecting the right pet and is happy to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding your companion in the future. We encourage you to contact us for any assistance that you may need.

Placing animals into new homes is a responsibility that we take very seriously for the benefit of the pets in our care and the prospective families. All people interested in adopting a pet from the Connecticut Humane Society will be asked to complete an adoption application and legal adoption agreement. Please take the time to thoroughly read, understand and complete these forms.

In the interest of the animal you wish to adopt, please allow approximately one hour to complete an adoption. This will include meeting the animal, participating in an adoption interview and filling out appropriate paperwork.

Adoption Requirements:

1. Complete an adoption questionnaire and a legal adoption agreement.
2. Participate in an adoption interview.
3. Present a valid driver’s license or government issued photo ID with your current address.
4. Be over the age of 18.
5. If adopting a pet that commonly faces restrictions in the community, you may be asked to provide landlord approval or proof of homeownership. Avoid inconvenience and bring this paperwork along to the adoption.
6. Adopting a pet is a family decision.  You will be asked to assist us with the following as they apply to your situation: a) bring any children living in the home (that are under 18) in to meet the pet. b) bring any other family members living in the home to meet the pet. c) bring your existing family dog in to meet the pet.
7. We do not authorize giving pets as gifts.  The person who will be the owner of the new pet must be present and complete the adoption process. Gift Certificates are available for purchase if you want to gift someone with the cost of adoption.

Your adoption benefits package includes the following items:

• Consultation with an adoption counselor to help you select the best companion for your lifestyle
• Spay/neuter surgery prior to adoption or certificate for a discount at a local veterinary office
• Flea/tick treatment and deworming
• Basic vaccinations including rabies vaccination for dogs/cats over 3 months old)
• Temporary ID tags
• Pet care information
• Medical evaluation and treatment of illnesses/injuries during the pet’s stay in our shelters
• When necessary, pets receive extensive medical treatment
• Microchip implant, registration, and tag
• Cat and dog adopters are eligible for a FREE 30-day pet insurance policy.  Some restrictions apply.  MORE INFORMATION. 

Dog adoptions also include:
• Bordetella vaccination
• Heartworm testing (if 6 months or older)
• Collar and leash
• Temperament evaluation for adoption suitability (if 6 months or older)
• Behavioral support for canines and their new families
• Discounted rate on obedience classes offered at the Connecticut Humane Society 

Cat adoptions also include:
• Testing for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline AIDS (FIV)
• Stretch collar
• Cardboard carrier

After You Adopt:

Animals are easily confused by drastic changes to their lifestyle. Please plan to allow your new pet a minimum of 30 days to adjust to your home. You will both need time to get to know each other.

We provide medical evaluations and veterinary care for treatable conditions that are diagnosed while the pets are residing within the Society. Our organization believes that it is important to the ongoing health of your pet to maintain a proactive relationship with your family veterinarian. We encourage all adopters to schedule an appointment for their new pet within 14 days of adoption. We ask adopters to remember that as the legal owner of your new pet, it is your responsibility to handle any and all medical needs and expenses that may occur after the adoption has been finalized.

We believe that one of the most important things that we can all do to prevent pet overpopulation and needless euthanasia is to make sure our pets are spayed or neutered. This service is included in the price of an adoption (for dogs and cats) and in many cases has already been performed on your new pet. In the event that your new pet has not been altered yet, you will receive a certificate for spay/neuter. The certificate is good for a free spay/neuter surgery at Fox Memorial Clinic or for a discounted surgery at a local veterinary practice. You should schedule this surgery to take place within 30 days of adoption or when the pet reaches 6 months of age.