Adoption Process

Adopters must be at least 18 years old, have a government-issued ID, and have a way to transport the animal home.

Yes, you can. However, it’s very important to get approval from your landlord BEFORE adopting.

Our adoption fees help us partially cover the costs of caring for the animals. Below is a breakdown of the fees.

Cats

• Kittens (0-6 months): $120 (or 2 for $160)
• Cats: $80 (or 2 for $120)
• Senior Cats (10+ years) or Barn/Feral Cats: $40

Dogs

• Puppies (0-6 months): $200
• Dogs: $150
• Senior Dogs (10+ years): $75

The adoption process is usually very quick. If you call ahead and schedule a meeting with one of our staff about the right pet for you, you can often take your new pet home the same day. To learn more about our process, visit our Adoption Process page.

Bring along some treats, your family members, and a pair of comfortable shoes if you plan on going for a walk.

We do, if we see the need.

No, we do not hold pets for people.

No, we don’t do trial adoptions, but we’ll always take an animal back.

You can get a full refund if you return a pet within 30 days. After 30 days, we’ll return half the adoption fees.

We understand that sometimes things don’t work out, and we do our best to make sure it’s a good match from the start.

If you’re having issues, please give us a call so we can see if there’s something we can do to help. If it still doesn’t work out, we’ll take the pet back and help you find another dog or cat that might be a better fit.

All dogs and cats will be spayed/neutered and up to date on all basic vaccines and treatments.

When a pet joins our facility, they typically receive a comprehensive examination, including necessary vaccinations such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, in accordance with veterinary guidelines. If the pet is too young or hasn’t reached the required weight, certain vaccinations and treatments may be postponed.

In such cases, we will arrange for these to be completed at the time of adoption or by the state’s specified deadline. Our commitment is to ensure every pet receives appropriate and timely medical care tailored to their individual needs.

If you’re having any issues, please contact us, and we’ll connect you to the right person.

The HS/SPCA of Nelson County is a community with a vast array of experience among our staff, volunteers, and supporters. We’re here to help you and your new pet.

Yes, but it is important to take your time introducing a new pet to a home.

It’s important not to leave them alone and together without supervision until you are absolutely sure they all get along. For more information, check out these handy guides:

• How to introduce a dog and cat
• How to successfully introduce two dogs
• Adding a second cat to your household

Bringing a new dog into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. To ensure a smooth transition and set your new furry friend up for success, it’s important to take a few preparatory steps. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Spend Time Together

Make sure you can spend plenty of time with your new dog during the first three days. This time is crucial for bonding and learning each other’s expectations before you leave them alone for extended periods.

Puppy Proof Your Home

Ensure your home is “puppy proof.” If there are items you really don’t want chewed, put them somewhere your dog can’t reach. While it seems obvious to us what is a dog toy versus an appliance or keepsake, a new dog won’t know the difference. So, pick up items and be patient. They’ll figure it out eventually.

Find a Vet

Make sure you have a veterinarian for regular check-ups and any emergencies that may arise.

Exercise Plan

Have a plan to exercise your dog. In general, this means taking them for three walks a day. Regular exercise is essential for their health and well-being.

The rule of thumb is 3 hours, 3 days, 3 weeks.

Dogs

For the first three hours, the dog will be really excited, sometimes to the point of anxiety. They may pant a bit and get nervous to the point of exhaustion. This is completely normal. The best thing to do is make sure they get plenty of exercise to burn off energy and try to confine yourselves to a single room.

Over the next three days, the dog will try to figure out your routines—mainly by following you everywhere. This is a good time to open up more access. By day 3, they’ll start to understand your daily rhythms.

At three weeks, you’ll finally see the dog’s personality come through. Their bond will be strong, and they’ll know it’s meal-time five minutes before you do.

By the three-month mark, your dog should have adjusted well to their new homes and have bonded with your and your family. However, it’s important to understand that many dogs are still unsure and under-trained at this stage. Continued patience and consistent training are essential to help them gain confidence and fully integrate into your life.

Cats

Cats are less predictable — each with their own personalities, but the three-hour, three-day, three-week rule still applies in a general sense. It takes about three hours for the initial excitement to die down, three days for them to feel comfortable in a home, and three weeks before their personality completely shines through.