How to Adopt:
prepare for your new companion
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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Tips for adopting a dog
Tips for adopting a cat
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.
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- The entire household must be in agreement concerning the adoption.
- Your adopted pet can not be given away or sold.
- If you have to give up the pet, it will be returned to ECCHA.
- 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).
- For all pets: We want to alert you that some communities, landlords, management companies, and insurance agencies have size and breed restrictions, limits on number of pets, and/or require pet deposits or additional fees. Before adopting, we encourage all adopters to know what restrictions may apply to you.
We ask for your current phone number.
There is a 48-72 hour 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 Application Form
Online Adoption Application Form
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Spay/Neutered
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Unaltered
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Dog (over 1 year old)
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$150
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$150 + cost of alter*
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Dog (under 1 year old)
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$195
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$195 + $50 deposit*
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Cat (over five months)
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$60
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$40 + $50 deposit*
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Cat (under five months)
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$100
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$50 + $50 deposit*
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Rabbit
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$50
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N/A
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Birds, Guinea Pigs, Reptiles, Ferrets,
and All Other Animals
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Varies
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Varies
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Dog adoption fees include:
Treatment for internal and external parasites
Vaccination for Rabies (for most), canine Distemper, and Bordatella
Microchipping
Identification tags, collar, and leash*
Follow-up visit at a participating veterinarian**
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Cat adoption fees include:
Treatment for internal and external parasites
Vaccination for feline Distemper and Rabies (for most)
Microchipping
Identification tags and collar*
Follow-up visit at a participating veterinarian**
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* If you do not bring a carrier at the time of adoption, a cardboard carrier* will be supplied for $10.
** ECCHA will supply a list of our participating veterinarians.
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