Deciding to bring a pet into your home means a major change in lifestyle. Adoption should be a thoroughly considered decision and not a spur of the moment idea, especially considering this pet will be a part of your family for as long as the next 10 to 20 years. Therefore, it is imperative to consider the "for better and for worse" aspects of adoption before making any decisions.
Tips to Adopting Your New Pet
There are a lot of things to consider before making the decision to adopt a pet — added responsibility, expenses, time commitment, and proper care, just to name a few. Before you adopt a new pet, please consider all the aspects of pet ownership and use the tips below to ensure you are truly ready.
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Be a responsible pet owner. Careful research and planning are essential, since being a responsible pet owner requires more than just providing adequate food, water, and shelter. Potential pet owners should agree with these points before bringing an animal home.
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Animals are not disposable! Animals are not articles of clothing to be thrown out once they are no longer in style. They are capable of bonding deeply with their families. Adopting a pet means making a life-long commitment, which can be up to 20 years.
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Protect your pet's health and safety. Owning a pet costs more than the adoption fee. Remember to include basic and emergency veterinary care, toys, supplies, and food. Spaying and neutering is also essential for the animal's long-term health and happiness, while providing the animal with proper identification will ensure his or her safety.
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Adoption Guidelines
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.
View our adoption guidelines.
You must be at least 21 years of age.
The entire household must be in agreement concerning the adoption.
You are not adopting the animal for someone else or as a gift.
Your adopted pet can not be given away or sold.
If you have to give up the pet, it will be returned to ECCHA.
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).
Your adopted pet will be neutered by a specific date (if needed).
Your adopted pet will be vaccinated for rabies and licensed (if required).
Your adopted pet will be kept as an indoor house pet (for exceptions regarding outside dogs, please contact the shelter).
If you rent, you must have at least three months residency and the landlord’s permission.
We ask for your current address on a photo ID (preferably driver's license), as well as your phone 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.
Adoption Fees
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Spay/Neutered |
Unaltered |
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Dog (over five months)
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$115 |
$80 + $50 deposit* |
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Dog (under five months)
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$115 |
$100 + $50 deposit* |
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Cat (over five months)
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$60 |
$40 + $50 deposit* |
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Cat (under five months)
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$60 |
$50 + $50 deposit* |
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Rabbit
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$40 |
$20 + cost of spay/neuter
(no deposit allowed - must
alter before adopting)
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Ferret
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$50 |
$35 + $50 deposit* |
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Bird, Guinea Pig,
Snake/Reptile, Small Rodent
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Varies |
Varies
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*The spaying/neutering deposit is refunded after proof of the procedure is received.
Dog adoption fees include:
Testing and treatment for internal
or external parasites
Vaccination for Rabies, Distemper,
and Bordatella
Microchipping
Identification tags, collar, and leash
Follow-up visit at a participating veterinarian
One month of pet health insurance
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Cat adoption fees include:
Testing and treatment for internal or external parasites
Testing for feline Leukemia, feline AIDS,
and Heartworm
Microchipping
Identification tags and break-away collar *
Follow-up visit at a participating veterinarian
One month of pet health insurance
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* If you do not bring a carrier at the time of adoption, a cardboard carrier will be provided for you for $5.
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