Adopt

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Paws4Ever Adoption Center Hours of Operation
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Adoption applications must be received one hour prior to closing.
Applications received after that time will be processed the following business day.

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Paws4Ever Adoption Fees
Dogs and Puppies: $160
Cats and Kittens: $100
Paws4Ever accepts cash, local checks, Visa and MasterCard.

Included in Adoption Fee

• Follow-up calls on all adoptions
• Basic life skills training for dogs
• Spay/neuter surgery
• Microchip
• Rabies vaccination
• Dog/puppy vaccinations
• Cat/kitten vaccinations
• Deworming
• Heartworm test for dogs over six months
• FIV/FelV test for cats/kittens
• Flea/tick/heartworm preventative

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Paws4Ever Adoption Policies & Procedures
The descriptions of dogs and cats we post are opinions and serve as guides to help place our dogs and cats in appropriate homes.

Paws4Ever requires each prospective adoptive family to complete an adoption application, and landlord and vet checks are performed before an adoption can take place. No animal can be adopted out to a residence that has a no-pets policy. In cases where pet deposits are required, proof of deposit must be provided. Adopters with roommates must have permission and/or have roommates meet the prospective animal before adoption. To help ensure compatibility, people who already have a dog at home are encouraged to bring him/her to the adoption center to meet the prospective new pet. Potential adopters must be at least 18 years old.

P4E does notcurrently accept strays or surrenders because of its strong commitment to equal treatment of animals and to shelter animals.

P4E does not adopt out animals as gifts; only as family pets or companion animals. P4E does not allow any animal to be adopted solely for use as a guard dog, hunter, or mouser. Cats are adopted out for indoor living, and dogs are adopted out for indoor living only, with outdoor privileges. Dogs are placed in homes where suitable shelter and exercise will be provided. The P4E Adoption Center director or a designated representative has the right to refuse to allow a person to adopt an animal if he/she has reason to doubt the adequacy of the prospective adopter’s home environment. The P4E Adoption Center director or a designated representative has the right to require an in-home visitation both before and after an adoption.

P4E strives to perform same-day adoptions, but also encourages prospective adopters to reflect on their adoption decisions prior to choosing animals at the adoption center. When a prospective adopter is very interested in a particular animal but needs to be sure of the adoption decision, Paws4Ever will hold the animal as a courtesy for 24 hours. For more than 24 hours, the prospective adopter can secure a 72-hour hold with a completed application and non-refundable deposit of $25.

As part of the adoption process, all dogs and cats receive a health examination, are inoculated, receive a routine de-worming, and are microchipped. Microchip information is registered with the American Kennel Club Microchip Registry. In addition, all dogs over six months of age are given a heartworm test, and all cats over six weeks of age are given a feline leukemia test. Dogs and cats of suitable age and physical condition are spayed/neutered before the adoption process can be completed.

Once an animal has been sterilized and adopted, the adopter becomes the legal owner of the animal. P4E will not reveal the new owner’s name or address to the previous owner, or to any member of the public.

All adopters must go through adoption counseling before the adoption process can be completed. Adopters must sign a contract describing the responsibilities inherent in the adoption. Each dog adopter is highly encouraged to participate in our three free “adoption center-to-home” transition classes. P4E follows up on all adopted animals to ensure that the terms of the contract are being met.

All dogs and cats must have collars and identification tags before going home with their new owners. All cats must be restrained in carriers and dogs must have leashes.

Following adoption, we are available to assist and advise adoptive families in any way we can. Obedience training for dogs is recommended, and P4E has a wonderful dog-training program offering a wide array of classes five times a year. Go to our training page for more information about the dog-training program.

Adoption fees are non-refundable and have already been spent caring for other animals. P4E is not a public shelter and relies entirely on modest program fees and contributions from the public. Please support P4E. We make friends for life.

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• We choose animals based on temperament and make ever effort to match them with adopters based on compatibility. Paws4Ever will also be there for you after you take your new pet home.
• Many of our animals have had difficult experiences in the past, and haven’t fully recovered. They’re halfway there, and with your love and support they’ll make it all the way.
• Have you discussed a new pet with all members of your household? We encourage families to come to the adoption center together. We do not adopt pets out as gifts.
• If you have other pets at home, will they get along with your new pet? You are welcome to bring your pet to the adoption center, and we’ll facilitate introductions.
• Other pets must also be current on all their vaccinations. This will help protect your pets against any illness.
• Do you have all the necessary supplies for your new pet? Adopting a pet will require a financial commitment to the pet for the next 10-20 years.
• Getting a new pet will affect your lifestyle. If your lifestyle changes, what will you do with your pet?
• Are you willing to make an emotional connection to your new pet? Will it be a member of your family?
• Please do not select a pet for the way he/she looks, or for a particular breed. Choose a pet based on his/her temperament and unique personality. We’ll help you determine compatibility with your family
• Consider whether you and your household have time to train a new pet, especially if you’re adopting a dog. A well-trained dog is easier to control and can fit more easily into your family. P4E has an excellent dog-training program to help you and your pet establish good training habits.
• Be sure to select a pet that fits your schedule and exercise regime. Dogs require more time than cats.
• Consider adopting an older pet. Some older dogs and cats are more suitable for young children. They may be housebroken, calmer, and already trained.
• Are you aware of your local animal control laws? Some counties have strict leash laws and require licenses for dogs and cats.
• Is anyone in your household allergic to animals?
• Do you have a veterinarian? You will need to schedule a routine physical for your pet within 14 days of adoption.