The adoption process is simple.  We ask that you forward to us the name and phone # of your veterinarian that you use for your present animals, along with your animal's names or if you do not presently own an animal, the vet that you used in the past and your past animal's name.  If you are a first time animal owner, we accept a personal reference as well as the name and phone number of the vet that you plan to use for the new dog or cat you are adopting.  A personal reference is the name and phone number of your employer or clergyman or policeman or other civic leader who we can contact to verify that you will be a responsible pet owner.

After we verify your reference, we will contact you to discuss the adoption and set an appointment for you to meet the animal you are interested in.  Appointments are necessary because we are a rescue not a shelter, and the animals are located at many different foster homes as well as at the vet clinic where we are based.  At the time you meet with the animal, if you decide to adopt, you will be asked to fill out and sign an adoption contract.

The standard adoption fee for Dogs and Puppies is $100.  The standard fee for Cats and Kittens is $50.  Other animals such as birds will have their adoption fee set on a case by case basis and this will be indicated in their write-up.  Sometimes cats or dogs may have a different adoption fee than the standard fee.  Such exceptions will be noted in the animal's description.

The animal usually can be taken home immediately, or can be picked up in several days if you need time to prepare for them.  They are brought up to date on their vaccination before adoption and that is included in the adoption fee at no extra cost.

At PAWS, we try to keep the adoption process as easy as possible.  Some rescues have a long involved process to adopt to verify you are the perfect home for their animal, which often exclude perfectly good homes for lack of a fenced yard etc.  We consider each case individually, based on the animal and the adopter.   Here at PAWS, we just want to make sure that the adopted animal will have a permanent loving home where it will get proper care for the rest of it's natural life.

Some animals listed on out pet list are indicated to be Adopt From Owner in their description.  These animals  have been listed at their owner's request to assist them in finding a new home for their pet.  In these instances where it is indicated that the pet is adopt from owner, you must contact that owner directly at the number or E-mail address listed in the pet's write-up.  PAWS does not become involved in the process of adopting out any pet listed as adopt from owner. All information that we have on adopt from owner animals is listed in that animal's description.  In these cases there is no adoption fee.  Please do not contact us for more information about adopt from owner animals - you must contact the person listed in the animal's write-up.

If you have any additional questions about adoptions please feel free to E-mail them to us and we will be happy to answer them.