mas@dbtech.net     3140 35th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401    (205) 752-9101
 
 

Adoption Policies and Procedures

Here is a quick list covering what you'll need to bring and do in order to take home the pet of your dreams:

  1. Visit shelter and fall in love with all of the animals.
  2. Narrow down your list to just one or two animals (hint: this is the hardest part!).
  3. Fill out an application.
  4. If you are a tenant, please bring a copy of your PAID pet deposit.
  5. Bring a pet carrier if you are adopting a puppy (TMAS provides cardboard carriers for cats).
  6. Sign a contract agreeing to take over responsibility for animal's care.
  7. Provide TMAS with the adoption fee (For more info on this, please see "Why do we charge an adoption fee?" below) $50 for dogs & puppies & $35 for cats & kittens.
  8. Provide TMAS with a $50 spay/neuter deposit on top of adoption fee if adopting an unaltered animal.
  9. MOST animals are available to go home on the same day assuming above requirements are met.
  10. If you are considering the adoption of a shelter dog and you have either children or other dogs in your home you may be required to bring them to the shelter to meet the prospective dog or cat before we approve the adoption. We do this to ensure that all family members will get along before we send a new addition to your home.
  11. Please be forewarned that TMAS cannot "hold" animals for more than 24 hours for people. This may be done with a $35 deposit. It is imperative that our animals get adopted as soon as possible for their own well being. Prolonging their stay at the shelter is something that we try desperately to avoid. We thank you in advance for your understanding in this matter.
  12. When visiting the shelter, please allow yourself plenty of time to meet the animals, complete the paperwork, and to ask questions. Once an animal is chosen it generally takes 30-45 minutes to complete the necessary paperwork.
  13. Remember that this is a list designed to cover the basics of adopting. If you have any special concerns or requirements please email or call the shelter for answers to specific questions. We hope to see you soon!
Why Do We Charge an Adoption Fee?

TMAS charges an adoption fee for animals. Why? Because we want to continue to ensure quality care. In 2010, we sheltered more than 8,000 homeless animals! Most of those animals needed vaccinations, treatment for parasites, and sterilization surgery. Many of those animals needed much more-antibiotics, x-rays, or treatment for disease.

The nominal fee we charge for adoption does not cover the care we provide to the animals-we do not make a profit-but it does help us to continue to provide quality care and service.

Acquiring an animal for free or buying one from a pet store is only the beginning of the expense of caring for an animal. Most pet store animals have received little or no medical care. "Free" animals are rarely that. We have put together a comparison of the value of adopting an animal from TMAS compared to the cost of acquiring an animal elsewhere and then seeking the same services:

adopt a dog poster Cost at a Vet Office of medical care provided in the TMAS adoption fee:

Up to date vaccinations:
Rabies vaccine $10.00
DHLP-P (5 in 1) $25.00
Bordetella vaccine $12.00

Microchip (dogs and cats) $30 (average)

Parasite control:
Dewormer $15.00

Feline Leukemia/AIDS Virus Test (cats) $32.00
Heartworm test (dogs) $25.00
Spay surgery female dog $95.00 (average)
Neuter surgery male dog $75.00 (average)
Spay female cat $80.00 (average)
Neuter male cat ($45.00 (average)
Examination $20.00
A lifetime companion Invaluable!
 Approximate total value $180.75

Not included in the above: daily care, cleaning, exercise, special medications, special medical treatments (including common treatments for fleas, ticks, ear mites, heartworm preventative), and food.

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