Adoption Procedures
Application
When you have selected the pet you wish to adopt, you will be asked to fill out
an application. The application will give us information about your past experience
with pets, the type of pet you’re looking for and also your expectations of the
new pet. The purpose of the application is not to exclude you from adopting. It
is simply a tool that helps us to better educate our clients and meet the needs
of the animals in our care.
All applications are reviewed by our shelter staff. The process can take anywhere
from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the volume of applications and the
information we may still need from applicants.
Some things to bring with you to streamline the application process:
- Current rabies vaccnation information for all current pets
- Knowledge, if you rent your housing, that your landlord allows pets and that you
can afford the pet deposit, if one exists
- Your driver's license number
- Emergency contact information
- Your vet's name and phone number, if you have a regular vet or don't have your pets'
vaccination records readily available
Consultation
The decision to adopt an animal is not to be taken lightly. We want to ensure a
happy transition for you and your new pet. When the application is completed our
customer service staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding
the adoption process. Your new pet will be going through a major, and possibly stressful,
change when transitioning to life in your home. Our staff and volunteers are happy
to assist you by sharing their experience and training.
Spay/Neuter Requirement
Every hour, 2,000 dogs and 3,500 cats are born in the United States. Most of them
unwanted. In the US, Approximately 5 million animals are euthanized in shelters
each year. In order to reduce those numbers it is crucial that all companion animals
be spayed or neutered. By spaying or neutering our pets we can help bring an end
to this national tragedy. All dogs and cats adopted from Forsyth County Animal Shelter
will be spayed or neutered prior to adoption.
If the dog or cat you adopt is already spayed or neutered, he/she can go home with
you the same date of your adoption. If the dog or cat you adopt is not already spayed
or neutered, he/she will be picked up by one of our contracted veterinarians on
the business day following your adoption. That vet will perform the alteration surgery
in the morning, and your new pet will be available to pick up from the vet in the
afternoon to allow a few hours recovery time.
Follow-Up Veterinary Care
It is also to important to have your dog tested for heartworms at a time recommended
by your veterinarian. Dogs over the age of 6 months have been tested prior to adoption.
Due to the incubation period of the disease this is highly recommended to insure
the health of your new companion.
Cats are screened for Feline Leukemia a Feline Immunodeficiency Virus prior to adoption.
We recommend a follow-up test at your veterinarian’s discretion.
Having your veterinarian do a fecal examination on both cats and dogs is also recommended.
Your pet has received an initial deworming prior to adoption. Due to the growth
cycle of certain parasites, the initial deworming may not remove all parasites your
pet may have.
The Cost and What it Includes
Adoption Fee for Dogs/Puppies is $107 and includes:
- Initial medical exam
- Initial deworming
- Initial heartworm screening
- Parvo - Distemper vaccination
- Rabies vaccination and tag
- Microchip ID and registration
- Mandatory spay or neuter
- Dog license
Dogs that are already spayed/neutered are adopted at a reduce rate of $42.00.
Adoption Fee for Cats/Kittens is $89 and includes:
- Initial medical exam
- Initial FeLV/FTV screening
- Initial deworming
- FVRCP vaccination
- Rabies vaccination and tag
- Microchip ID and registration
- Mandatory spay or neuter
- Cat license
Cats that are already spayed/neutered are adopted at a reduce rate of $39.00,
Please note, we can only accept cash, personal check, cashier's check, or money
order as payment at this time. We DO NOT have debit or credit card capabilities
at this time.