The Adoption Process

When you adopt a pet from Woodford Humane, our goal is to send you home with a happy, healthy, lifelong friend! We try to keep our adoption process as straightforward as possible. But, like every pet and every adopter, every adoption is a little different. Read the steps below to know what to expect.

Financially speaking, adoption is a really good deal. We send our dogs and cats home fully vetted, microchipped, and with some basic supplies to get you started – see below.

Cat Adoption Fees

Kitten (under 1 year old): $75
Special Breed and/or Declawed Kitten: $100-125
Adult (1-9 years old): $50
Special Breed and/or Declawed Adult: $75-100
Senior (10+ years old): $25
Adult Bonded Pair: $75
Senior Bonded Pair: $30

Cat adoption fees include current vaccinations (FVRCP and rabies), spay or neuter surgery, blood test for feline leukemia and FIV, general de-worming, a HomeAgain microchip and lifetime registration, starter bag of food, and a coupon for a veterinary exam following adoption.

Dog Adoption Fees

Puppy (under 1 year old): $175
Small Breed* and/or Pure-Bred Puppy: $200-225
Adult (1-7 years old): $150
Small Breed* and/or Pure-Bred Adult: $175-200
Senior (8+ years old): $100
Adult Bonded Pair: $250
Senior Bonded Pair: $150

Dog adoption fees include current vaccinations (DHPP, bordetella, and rabies), spay or neuter surgery, blood test for heartworm, general de-worming, a HomeAgain microchip and lifetime registration, starter bag of food, collar and leash, and a coupon for a veterinary exam following adoption.

*Small breed is defined as less than 25 lbs at a healthy, ideal adult weight

Other Critters

Rabbits: $45
Guinea Pigs: $15 (or 2 for $25)
Ferrets: $100
Hamsters or Gerbils: $5

Our Adoptions Counselors are ready, willing, and able to help you select the right pet for your family! You can get started by browsing our online listing of adoptable pets, or simply stop by the Adoption Center and meet some furry friends.

It’s important to spend some time getting to know an animal before you decide to adopt. If you have any questions or want to spend time one-on-one with an animal, our staff will be happy to help you out. We do our best to get to know each animal personally, and will be happy to provide insight into a pet’s behavior, training, energy level, and likes and dislikes to help you make a good match.

Our adoption applications are designed to help our Adoptions staff make sure we are matching the right pet to the right home. There are no right or wrong answers – just be honest and realistic about what you want, need, and can provide for a pet!

Every adoption at Woodford Humane requires an approved adoption application. Once we have your application in hand, our Adoptions Counselors will review it and discuss with you any questions or issues that may arise. Please be aware that simply filling out an application does not guarantee you a pet, and does not put a pet on hold for you! Your application must be approved before the process can move forward. In most cases this will require you to be present at the Adoption Center.

Once your application is approved, you will typically be able to bring your new pet home the same day. We offer two options for adopters: foster to adopt, or finalized adoption.

  • Foster to Adopt
    We recommend this program, especially for adopters with children or other pets at home. Foster to adopt essentially allows you a one-week trial period to make sure that your adoptee is truly a good fit for your home: that they will get along with your pets and/or kids, have the right energy level, meet your training needs, etc. If all goes well, or if we have not heard from you by the end of your foster week, your adoption will automatically be finalized.In the event that you decide your adoptee is not a good fit during your foster to adopt week, you can bring the pet back to Woodford Humane and either adopt a different pet, or have your adoption fee refunded.
  • Finalized Adoption
    Although we recommend taking advantage of our foster to adopt program, you are always welcome to finalize your adoption outright. The adoption fee is non-refundable for finalized adoptions, and your adoption will be processed in full the day you adopt.

We send every adopter home with an adoption packet to help them get started with their new best friend! All dogs and cats are sent home with a starter bag of the Hill’s Science Diet food they have been fed at the Adoption Center; dogs are also sent home with a collar and leash. Our adopter packets include a wealth of information on care and training, as well as offers and coupons from some of our community partners.

Cats and small animals must leave Woodford Humane securely confined in a carrier. If you don’t have one of your own, we are happy to provide you with a sturdy cardboard carrier for $5. We strongly recommend that you not open the carrier until your pet is secure inside your home.

We want you to know that you are taking home a happy, healthy pet, so we are happy to provide a coupon to every adopter that provides a free veterinary exam at participating local clinics, good for up to 14 days following your finalized adoption. If you are looking for a veterinarian, we highly recommend our partners at Eckert Veterinary Hospital.

Your adoption is for life, and so is our support. Whether it’s weeks, months, or years into your life with your Woodford Humane adoptee, we will do our best to answer any questions you might have and provide helpful tips and resources to help both you and your pet continue your happy bond.

And, if you ever find that you are no longer able to care for your adoptee, even years down the road, we will always take them back in and work hard to find them another loving home. We’re here for our pets, no matter what.

Phone: 859-873-5491
Fax: 859-873-0301

 

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