ADOPTION PROCESS

1. STEP ONE: PICK AN ANIMAL(S)
   View animals online or in person to see what pet you would like to meet and apply for. An application is required to meet the dogs or cats. The WAHS has limited animal viewing hours where you can walk and see the cats and dogs in their kennels and condos. Please be sure to check to make sure we are open before visiting. Available animals can also be viewed on our website.
2. STEP TWO: FILL OUT APPLICATION
   Applications must be submitted online or in person during open hours hours 1-7 PM Tue, 1-4 PM Thur, Fri, Sat.. If you do not provide all the information required on the application we reserve the right to stall or cancel your application. Dog applicants who rent must have landlord letter or proof of being allowed to have a dog.
3. STEP THREE: WAIT
   The WAHS staff will review applications. Allow 2-3 days for applications to be reviewed.
4. STEP FOUR: MEET THE ANIMAL(S)
   If the application is approved the WAHS will call the potential adopter and a meet and greet will be scheduled. The WAHS will only reach out if your application was selected for a meet and greet. You can always call the shelter to check on the status of your application. The WAHS cannot call every single family that applies for a pet. If an adopter has not heard back, they can assume your application was not chosen. The WAHS takes three qualified applications per pet. We review applications and choose the top three applicants that we feel are the best fit for the pet.
5. STEP FOUR: WAIT
   After the meet and greets are done the WAHS will determine which home is the best fit for the animal and schedule an adoption pick-up. Some animals only have one application, and the process moves more quickly.
6. STEP FIVE: ADOPT YOUR PET
   If your meet and greet went well and you are chosen to adopt you will have up to 72 hours to scehdule your adoption. We do not hold animals for customers going out of town or who have work conflicts.The WAHS staff will contact those who had a meet and greet and did not get chosen. The WAHS will hold their application for 30 days if they would like to meet another pet. They do not automatically get another pet. The process works the same for the next pet they are interested in.

ADOPTION GUIDELINES

1. The WAHS does not do same-day adoptions.
2. Adopters must be 21 years old.
3. The WAHS does not approve of declawing cats or docking dogs tails.
4. Cats are only adopted to be indoor cats.
5. We don’t adopt out pets for gifts.
6. The applicant must be present at the meet and greet.
7. The WAHS reserves the right to pick the best home for the pet. Adoptions are not first come first served.
8. All meet and greets are by appointment only.
9. All members of the family who live in the home are required to be disclosed on the application.
10. The adopter MUST have approval from their landlord to have a pet. Dog adoptions require letter from landlord.
11. Adopter’s pets must be up to date on rabies. If the adopters’ current pets are not up to date with rabies vaccination their application may be passed up for another application in the interest of moving animals out of the shelter promptly. If they are the only applicant, the WAHS might work with them to update their pets so they can adopt.
12. If the adopters’ current pets have no history of vet care the WAHS reserves the right to turn down the application.
13. The adopter MUST put the correct vet(s) information on their application. The WAHS will not call an adopter back and try to secure the correct information. It is up to the adopter to give correct information the first time on the application.
14. WASH only accepts cash or credit for adoptions. No personal checks are accepted.
15. WAHS reserves the right to turn away any applicant if we feel the home is unsuitable.
16. Any false information given on the application will result in a denied adoption.
17. Once the application has been approved the adopter must schedule to pick up the pet within 72 hours.  If they cannot do so we will go to the next approved application.
18. If an applicant is trying to re-adopt or adopt in the past, they are required to fill out a new application and go through the process again. Only applications within 30 days already approved will be re-used.
19. Pets typically do not leave the shelter until they are spayed/neutered. This can add time to adoption processing time.
20. If the adopter opts to mail in an adoption application, they risk the pet getting adopted out before we receive the application. We strongly urge customers to make the online application as animals move quickly through the shelter doors.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU ADOPT A NEW PET

1. When you adopt an animal, you’re making a lifetime commitment! Dogs routinely live to be 12 to 15 years old, and cats can live  from 15 to 20 years or even more! In the shelter community, we see the heartbreak, confusion, and sadness suffered by innocent, abandoned, and abused pets.
2. Having a pet is not only a commitment of time and emotional bonding. The reality is, PETS COST MONEY! Don’t take on the responsibility for an animal’s welfare unless you have the resources (now and years from now!) to house, feed, and provide regular veterinary care for your pet. Remember, your pet is TOTALLY DEPENDENT on YOU for everything it needs.
3. Cute little puppies grow up to be big, sometimes even massive dogs, and helpless little kittens grow up to be big cats.
4.  Cats, of course, will use a “litter box” with little or no training. Dogs, on the other hand, need to be trained consistently over time, and there will be accidents, you can count on it! Your new dog will need to be walked 3 to 4 times each day, rain or shine, summer or winter. Most dog owners find the time relaxing and rewarding, but it HAS to be done, no matter what!  If you don’t have the patience, or can’t stand extreme weather, consider a cat instead of a dog.
5. If you are renting, ALWAYS check your lease, and inform your landlord, BEFORE bringing a new pet into your home or apartment Most reputable shelters and rescues insist on written documentation anyway, but don’t wait for the adoption counselor to ask.