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 the suggested reading section of this website.
- You must be at least 18 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. 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 Sheboygan County Humane Society reserves the right to refuse any adoption.