Q1: Why does the adoption process take so long?

      Why can’t I take the dog/cat home today?

      Why is it so hard to adopt?

      Why do you need so much personal information?

Q2: If I am approved to adopt, can I adopt ANY pet?

Q3: What happens if I can’t keep an animal I adopted from IVAR?

Q4: Must we live within a certain distance of the shelter to adopt?

A1: Our number one concern is the long-term success of our adoptions. All too often, our animals’ previous lives were less than ideal:

• They may have dealt with the extreme discomfort of chronic flea and parasite infestations.
• They may have contracted heartworm and endured a lengthy and uncomfortable treatment process.
• The dogs may have been outside-only dogs, that did not receive the attention they deserved and needed as pack animals.
• The cats may have been abandoned, left to fend for themselves and possibly their litters of kittens for unknown amounts of time.

Some of the animals may have suffered through neglect and abuse.

We try to do everything in our power to ensure that our animals are never put back into these, or similar situations

The length of time it takes to adopt an animal and the questions we ask during the adoption process help us ensure that our animals will be places in appropriate, loving, and permanent homes.  It is never our intention to offend anyone who is trying to adopt an animal from us.

As a rule, we generally do not allow same-day or surprise/gift adoptions.  We believe it is best for potential adopters to go home and seriously think about the responsibilities that accompany becoming a pet owner.  Impulse adoptions often fail and the animal suffers as a result.

Our volunteers work with these animals on a daily basis and form bonds with them  We want each and every pet to go into a great home where they are seen as valued family members.

By prolonging the adoption process for a few days, we are working to ensure the life-long happiness and security of our animals.  Those animals that are adopted and returned to the shelter can have a difficult time adjusting.

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A2: It is possible, but unlikely.

Our goal is to place our animals into permanent homes. Part of the adoption process is ensuring that you and the animal are an appropriate match.  In most cases, there will be many appropriate animals for you to choose from, but there will always be a few animals that are better suited for other adopters.  Everyone would most likely agree that a six-month-old border collie would not be a good pet for an elderly person.  Nor would a longhaired Persian be ideal for someone who is looking for a low-maintenance cat.

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A3: We do adopt animals to people outside of our local area.  However, because we do not have same-day adoptions, you must be willing to make at least two trips to our adoption center.  For dog adoptions we require all family members and current dogs to meet the new dog before completing the adoption process.  We cannot approve adoption applications until after an initial meeting.

We are always here for you.  We are dedicated to these animals for their entire life.  The adoption contract, which is signed by all new pet owners, states that the animal must be returned to IVAR if the adopter is unable/unwilling to keep the animal for any reason.  This is to ensure the safety of the animal.

As hard as we try to place our animals into permanent homes, sometimes animals need to be re-homed after adoption.  People are often afraid or hesitant to return an animal to us because they don’t want to bring it back to a shelter.  We promise you that this is the absolute safest option for the animal.  We have been placing animals for years and although we are not perfect, we have more resources at our disposal than a typical pet owner.  Returning an animal to IVAR is much safer than giving the dog away for free or giving it to a friend of a friend.  Please leave the responsibility and stress of re-homing an animal to us.  It’s what we do!

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A4: We do adopt animals to people outside of our local area.  However, because we do not have same-day adoptions, you must be willing to make at least two trips to our adoption center.  For dog adoptions we require all family members and current dogs to meet the new dog before completing the adoption process.  We cannot approve adoption applications until after an initial meeting.

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