Adoption procedures

Why adopt?

When you decide to adopt an animal from the Animal Humane Society you are joining hundreds of thousands of people who have added to their families with an animal from one of our locations. You are also helping to support an organization that is there for you throughout the life of your pet—with socialization and play group opportunities, training classes, pet boarding, a pet behavior helpline and events for you and your pet.

You are quite possibly saving a life—and enhancing yours. You are also helping to support the nearly 25,000 animals that come through our doors each year.

You make a difference when you adopt from the Animal Humane Society. When you adopt one animal you are advocating for all animals.

Adoption Policies and Procedures

The Animal Humane Society receives animals from individuals who are no longer able to care for their pets as well as animals that are lost or abandoned. We are looking for people who are willing to provide permanent, loving homes for these animals.

Please consider carefully the time and money required to own a pet before you make the decision to adopt. Owning a pet is a lifetime commitment.

All animals that are available for adoption have passed an evaluation based on their known history, health and temperament. Animals remain available at our Adoption Centers as long as their good health and behavior continue. There is no time limit for how long an animal may remain on our adoption floors.

ADOPTION POLICIES:

• You must be 18 years of age or older to adopt an animal.
• A current photo ID (driver’s license or state ID card) is required to process an adoption.
• All dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits and ferrets will be spayed/neutered prior to going home.
• To provide permanent identification, all dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits and ferrets receive a microchip implant. The microchip is registered at the time of adoption.
• Adopted animals can be taken to any one of over 200 participating veterinarians for a free wellness exam within fourteen (14) days of adoption.
• If your new pet becomes ill within fourteen (14) days of adoption, the Animal Humane Society is able to provide free oral and topical medication to help treat the following conditions: feline upper respiratory infection, kennel cough, eye/ear/skin infections and external parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites. If your pet is diagnosed with any of these conditions, your veterinarian can call in or fax the prescription to be filled and it will be available for pick-up at our facilities. Please note: The Animal Humane Society is unable to reimburse adopters or veterinarians for post-adoption medical expenses. Adopters assume full responsibility for the pet’s care.
• While we hope your pet selection is successful and permanent, we do offer a 30-day trial period from the date of adoption during which you may return the pet for any reason. A return/replacement voucher will be issued that you can use to adopt another animal. No refunds will be given.
• If at any time you can no longer care for your pet and cannot find a suitable home, we ask that you return the pet to the Animal Humane Society.
• The Animal Humane Society reserves the right to refuse any adoption.

You are welcome to visit the shelter any time during regular adoption hours to view the animals that are available for adoption. We have between 100 and 300 animals available for adoption on any given day. New animals are put in the adoption areas daily. If you are looking for a particular type or breed of animal, please check this web site often or call the adoption desk to see what’s available.

Buffalo               (763) 390-3647
Coon Rapids      (763) 862-4030
Golden Valley    (763) 489-2201
St. Paul               (651) 645-7387
Woodbury          (651) 730-6008

Plan to allow one to two hours to complete the adoption process. It may take longer, depending on how many animals you wish to get acquainted with, your previous experience with pet care, and the number of other visitors at the facility. Peak days for visitor traffic are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, so please allow extra time if you plan to visit us on those days.

Adoptions can be processed up to 30 minutes before closing time.  If you wish to adopt and it’s less than 30 minutes before closing, we can place the animal on hold for you and finalize the adoption the following business day.

A cage card and profile is displayed on the cage of each animal to give you information about the animal’s breed, age, gender, adoption fee and more.

Once you have found an animal that you are interested in adopting, contact a volunteer or staff person about visiting with the pet. Some of our sites have private visitation rooms where you and the animal can get acquainted. To ensure the pet chosen is compatible with everyone, all household/family members should interact with the animal before the adoption is finalized.

To begin the adoption process, all adopters must complete an Adoption Application form. We use an application and interview process to ensure that each animal adopted will be matched to the most compatible new owner. This form is available online or at our Adoption Centers.

Our adoption staff will review with you any medical or behavioral information relevant to that animal, explain policies and services available to adopters, and collect adoption fees.

Please note that all adoptions and holds must be processed in person at the shelter.

Can’t quite make up your mind? Need more time to decide? A non-refundable, non-transferable hold deposit can be placed on a pet for a 24-hour period. If the adoption is completed, the deposit is applied toward the adoption fee. If the adoption is not completed, the deposit is forfeited to the Animal Humane Society. We are unable to process second or third holds. Only one hold may be placed on an animal at a time.

Exceptional Owners Wanted. Occasionally we have animals that have medical situations that require a little more love and attention. These animals are wonderful companions for an experienced owner with the resources to provide on-going veterinary care and special attention.