Adoption Process
Our Adoption Process and Why We Do It This Way
Please take a few moments to read the following explanation of our adoption policies and the steps that make up the process. You may be surprised to find that adopting an animal is a more involved process than you expected, or that it means you can’t have immediate access to an animal you are interested in. Therefore, it’s important to understand two things: 1) the process is the same for everyone, and 2) it’s not our intent to frustrate you. Rather, everything we do is for the best interests of the animals in our care, and is aimed at giving them the best possible chance of finding a permanent home.
HERE ARE THE STEPS YOU’LL GO THROUGH IN THE ADOPTION PROCESS:
- Before you decide on your pet, you must interact with your new friend. This means taking the animal in the adoption room (unless a feline) and spending time with him. Then the paperwork will need to be completed. Our process includes asking questions, previous pet history, and living arrangements (i.e. renting, leasing, etc.). This is simply to protect the health and well-being of adoption candidates and the pets you already have.
- Once all the paperwork has been satisfactorily completed, you will have a counseling session with a knowledgeable member of our staff or trained volunteer who will fill you in on the history and needs of that animal, as well as the feeding and exercise requirements. If the animal is a Head Start dog, you must meet with the trainer before the adoption can be approved. You can ask your counselor questions about spaying/neutering, housetraining, obedience training, scratching, vet care, how to deal with fleas & ticks, and anything else you can think of.
- You will be asked to sign and adoption contract and pay an adoption fee. This fee covers spaying/neutering, vet care, deworming, vaccines, heartworm or feline leukemia testing, microchip (if already altered), and rabies vaccine (if age appropriate).
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the tremendous demands on our kennel space, all adoptions must be done on a first-come, first-served basis, and the first good, properly qualified prospective home will get the pet.
LET US REPEAT: We don’t ever mean to be frustrating to or evasive with you. We want you to understand that it’s stressful and upsetting-in fact downright devastating-for the animals, for our staff, and most importantly, for you when adoptions don’t work out and pets have to come back to us. And a bad adoption experience can sour some people on dogs or cats-or on shelter animals-for life.
So try to bear with us and be patient. And understand that going through the process the way we do really is the best policy-for all of us.
THANK YOU.
TUSCALOOSA METRO ANIMAL SHELTER INSTRUCTIONS TO ADOPTERS
Thank you for giving one of our pets a home. We want this to be a very happy, successful adoption for you and your pet. If you have any questions, please call our office at 752-9101.
Please read the following and note the instructions and important information:
TMAS does vaccinate animals placed up for adoption. These shots help protect the pet during its time with us. Your vet may recommend booster shots for which you, as the adopter are responsible.
We require that your new pet see a vet within three working days of the adoption to be examined and given necessary treatment as the vet recommends. You are responsible for all expenses related to the treatment of your pet.
Your free vet visit is with our participating vet-of-the-month. You are responsible for the cost of any medications, test, treatments, or shots at the time of examination.
Our adoptable pets receive tests, shots, and deworming medicine. Cats and kittens are tested for feline leukemia/AIDS, and dogs over 6 months are tested for heartworms. Animals are released for adoption only if the test results are negative.
Spaying and neutering is required by Alabama State Law for all puppies and kittens by the age of 6 months. Dogs and cats older than 4 months will not be released for adoption until they have been altered by our facility. You are required to pay an $80 deposit in addition to your adoption fee on animals less than 4 months. You must have your pet altered by the date on your spay/neuter deposit agreement form.
If your veterinarian determines within 14 days after placement that the health of the animal is not satisfactory, and animal exchange or refund is available with proof of ill health from the vet.