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Racine
County's Animal Shelter - We are
the Adopt-A-Pet people
Adoption
Process
Adding
a pet to your family calls for a
plan:
- Make sure
that each family member
understands what this
means to your family.
Everyone will have to
share time and financial
resources with your new
pet. This is especially
important for families
with children, elderly
members, or busy
schedules that require
the pet to be home alone.
- Research
the needs of your desired
pet. Visit the library,
read books &
magazines, research on
the internet, visit
friends who have animals
and ask them to share
their experiences.
- Find out
the life span of your
chosen pet and be
prepared to make that
kind of commitment.
Adopting a pet is not a
casual activity, and most
cats and dogs will live
from 12 to 20 years.
- Educate
yourself and your family
on how to introduce a new
pet into your household.
- Visit our
Shelter to observe animal
behavior.
Our
Shelter is a great source of
information regarding companion
animals. Everyone, it seems,
wants a little kitten or puppy,
and fails to consider how
wonderful older animals can be.
Adopting an older animal means
that you will have a better
understanding of the temperament
and behaviors you can expect from
your new pet. Older animals are
often altered, housebroken,
immunized, trained &
socialized, making the transition
into your home much less
stressful. Older animals most
often are the best choice for
families with children.
Once
you have done your research, and
have made your decision to adopt,
please keep in mind that your new
pet will need:
- Regular
vet care. Immunizations,
yearly checkups &
vaccination boosters, and
yearly dental care, can
be just the beginning of
your pet's health needs.
Birds and reptiles will
need specialty vet
services.
- Nutritious
food and fresh, clean
water. Pets need the
properly formulated food
for their species. Human
scraps just aren't good
enough. You will need to
wash your pet's food and
water dishes daily.
- A sleeping
space that is indoors,
warm, clean and safe. If
you wouldn't sleep or
live there, your pet
shouldn't have to.
- Being
allowed to roam outdoors
threatens your pet.
Outdoor cats face dangers
to their health and life.
In cold weather, there is
no such thing as an
outdoor cat! Dogs need to
be on lead when out of
the home, and under
control at all times.
Don't forget collars,
harnesses and leashes.
- Dogs and
their families need
obedience training.
- Small
animals need a carrier
for vet visits.
- All pets
need daily attention,
regular play, exercise,
training and attention.
Interactive toys are
essential to your pet's
well-being. The same goes
for regular grooming. You
will need brushes, combs,
nail clippers and pet
shampoo.
- Cats will
need proper scratching
posts and litter boxes.
You will need a yard
scooper for your dog.
- Licenses
are required for all dogs
in Racine County. Many
municipalities require
licenses for cats and
other animals, as well.
Now,
compare the needs of your new pet
with what your family is able to
provide.
You're
well on your way...the next step
is to visit our Shelter.
Sometimes people find the perfect
pet during their first visit to
our Shelter but, most often they
don't. Do not feel discouraged.
Visit again, soon and often.
Taking time during this part of
the process will help insure that
you are making the right choice
for the right reasons.
When
you have found the right animals,
allow the Pet Counselors at our
Front Desk to share whatever
information we have regarding the
animal and fill-out an Adoption
Application. Our
Adoption Counselors will process
your application and get back to
you as soon as they are able.
This usually takes about 2 to 4
business days. Adoption
Applications are not processed on
Saturday and Sunday. Fees and
other details, will be discussed
with you during the call-backs.
Adoption fees vary, depending on
the individual animal, but
include (where appropriate)
primary vaccinations, free
wellness check-up, microchip and
spay or neuter.
Adding
a new family member can be an
exhilarating experience. We want
you to be excited, motivated and
absolutely sure that adopting a
new pet is the right thing for
your family at this time.
Just
a few, final thoughts. Obtaining
your new pet from backyard
breeders, puppy mills and their
outlets, and free-to-a-good-home
ads supports the overpopulation
and the ultimate destruction of
unwanted animals. Animals from
shelters do not have any more
frequent or serious problems than
animals obtained from other
sources. In addition, shelter
animals seems to know that they
are being rescued, and will
reward you with many years of
grateful, loving devotion.
Now
that your family is ready to
adopt a new pet, please visit our
animals!
Plan
to arrive at least 40 minutes
prior to closing so that you will
have plenty of time to visit with
the animals.
To
help process your Countryside
Adoption Application promptly
please include the following
paperwork…
- Current
pet(s) vaccination
records and spay/neuter
documentation.
CHS needs proof your
animal(s) have been
spayed/neutered and its
vaccinations are current.
You can bring your vet
records to CHS or ask
your veterinarian to fax
this information to us.
Please ask the
veterinarian to include a
cover letter addressed to
CHS Adoptions.
Everyone
living in your household must
meet the animal before your
adoption application will be
reviewed. Countryside
strives to place animals in
“forever” homes. We
want to make sure everyone is
agreeable to the adoption and
compatible with animal. If you
are applying on a dog and
currently own a dog we may
request a dog meeting to ensure
both dogs are compatible.
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