ECCHA Adoption Guidelines

The decision to bring a pet into your home can mean a major change in lifestyle. It should be well thought out and not a spur of the moment idea, especially considering this pet may be a part of your family for the next 10 to 20 years.

Therefore, it is imperative to consider this thoroughly before making your decision. In order to assure the smoothest transition and positive outcome for both the animal and the adoptive family, we have developed the following guidelines for adoptions:

The decision to adopt a family pet is a big decision that will affect your life for many years into the future. PLEASE read all of the articles in our "before you adopt" section of this website.

  • You must be at least 21 years of age.
  • The entire family is in agreement concerning the adoption
  • You are not adopting the animal for someone else or as a gift.
  • The animal will not be given away or sold. Instead, you agree that if you have to give up the pet, it will be returned to the shelter.
  • You have not given up a pet within the last 30 days (except in the case of a seriously ill, old or severely injured pet).
  • The animal will be kept as an indoor house pet (for exceptions regarding outside dogs, please contact the shelter).
  • If you are a renter, you must have at least three (3) months residency and we must also have the landlord’s permission.

It can be very stressful for an animal to become acclimated to its new surroundings. For this reason, we suggest adopters do not bring a new pet into their home if they have just moved, are in the process of moving, or planning to move in the near future.

We reserve the right to refuse an adoption based on the number of pets already in the home and according to local ordinances.

Our experience has taught us that dogs left tied to a doghouse or kept in an outside kennel lack attention and do not become good pets.( See the backyard dog) Statistics show that the average life span of a cat allowed outside is approximately four (4) years, while cats kept in the house live approximately sixteen (16) years.

The Eau Claire County Humane Association reserves the right to refuse any adoption.

 

The Adoption Application

Once you have found an animal you are interested in, you will be asked to complete an adoption application. You may want to complete an online adoption application before you visit the shelter. We'll even keep it on file for 6 months in the event you find a pet at a later date. Once your application has been approved, you can even ask to be notified when a pet matching your description becomes available for adoption! If you have problems with the online application, you can print the printable version but please give us feedback so we can fix the problem!

The adoption application will help us "get to know you" a little better before we release one of the animals in our care. There are a lot of questions about past pets, your knowledge about training, how you'll handle problems that may emerge at some later date. Why do we ask so many questions?

You will be asked for your current address on a driver’s license or other picture I.D. and your telephone number. If you are a temporary resident of the Eau Claire area (such as a student) we also require your permanent address and telephone number.

There is an overnight waiting period on all applications. In order to assure an animal will be going into a permanent, caring and responsible home, you will be asked to sign a contract agreeing to some additional guidelines. Among other things, it stipulates that:

You agree to have an un-neutered animal neutered by a specific date.
You agree to have the pet vaccinated for rabies and licensed (if required)

 


Adoption Fees
(subject to change)

Dogs
Spayed/Neutered Dog Over 5 months - $90
Un-Altered Dogs Over 5 months - $75 + $50 spay/neuter deposit
Puppies (under 5 months) - $100 + $50 spay/neuter deposit

Cats
Spayed/Neutered Cat Over 5 months - $45
Un-Altered Cat Over 5 months - $25 + $50 spay/neuter deposit
Kittens (under 5 months) - $50 + $50 spay/neuter depositCats

Rabbits
Spayed/Neutered Rabbit – $40
Un-Altered Rabbit - $20 + cost of spay/neuter surgery(no deposit allowed–must alter before adopting)

Ferrets
Spayed/Neutered Ferret - $50
Un-Altered Ferret – $35 + $50 spay/neuter deposit

Miscellaneous Animals
Birds $10
Guinea Pigs $10
Snakes/Reptiles $10
Small Rodents $5

*The Neutering Deposit is refunded after proof of neutering is received.

Some animals, including purebreds, must be neutered by a local veterinarian before going to their new home. Hospital fees will be paid to the Shelter, who in turn will pay the veterinarian.

Other Discounts and Considerations:

Companion Cat Crusade: Adopt one cat or kitten and the adoption fee for a second ADULT cat is waived if the second ADULT cat is adopted within 30 days of the first adoption (still responsible for cost of spay/neuter deposit).

ECCHA Members will receive a 25% discount (adopter can purchase a membership at the time of adoption to qualify for the discount)

Some animals will qualify as “Leave A Legacy” adoptions. The adoption fee for these animals will be determined individually by the Executive Director or Kennel Manager. L.A.L. animals may include small-breed dogs and purebreds that are in high demand for adoption and quickly find a loving home. By setting a higher adoption fee for these animals, they will leave a financial legacy for other animals in our care that may need to live in our shelter for many months or who need medical treatment while they are here.

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The adoption fee includes:

  • DOGS: tested and treated for internal and external parasites, vaccinated for Distemper and Bordatella, Microchipped, free identification tags, collar and leash, free follow-up visit at participating veterinarian, 1 free month of pet health insurance.
  • CATS: tested and treated for internal and external parasites, vaccinated for Distemper and Bordatella, Microchipped, free identification tags, break-away collar and cardboard carrier, free follow-up visit at participating veterinarian, TESTED FOR FELINE LEUKEMIA AND FELINE AIDS, 1 free month of pet health insurance.