Adoption policies and procedures
Are you thinking about adopting a pet from WHCS? Great! Here's all the information you need to get started...
Requirements for adopting a pet
- Adopters must be 18 years old or older.
- Adopters must visit the shelter and meet their prospective pet, in person, before adopting.
- Adopters must complete an application form and pay an adoption fee.
- Potential adopters who rent must have approval from their landlord to have a pet(s) in their rental home
Finding the right pet for you
You can see all the WCHS pets available for adoption either on our website in the Meet Our Animals section, or by visiting our facility in Brattleboro, VT.
Viewing pets at the shelter
WCHS provides a comfortable, friendly environment where you can visit your potential new pet. Staff and volunteers will work with you to find the right animal for your home and lifestyle. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes interacting with any pet you are considering adopting, and feel free to ask any questions about the pet’s health and temperament.
The adoption process
Complete an adoption application
Prospective adopters must complete and submit an application for adoption. Staff will call you when your application has been approved. Applicants must be 18 years old or older. If you rent your home, WCHS will verify with your landlord that you are permitted to have a pet. You will be asked to provide a phone number for your landlord on the application form. We will also speak with your vet to verify that you have kept up with the care of current or previous pets. Click here to complete on application online, call us at 254-2232 to request that an application be mailed to you, or just come by for a visit and complete an application in person.
Keep an eye on our website
The WCHS website is linked to our online database. If you see an animal on the website, that animals is at our facility and available for adoption. Once an animal has been adopted, it comes off the website automatically. We advise people who are looking to adopt their next best friend to look at our website daily.
Visit our Facility
When you see an animal on our website that looks right for you, come down for a face to face introduction! Our friendly, knowlegdable staff and volunteers will help you choose a pet that best matches your preferences and lifestyle.
Dog meets dog
If you are planning to adopt a dog AND you already have a dog in your home, we require that you schedule an introduction at the shelter prior to adoption. This is to ensure that the dogs are compatible before you assume ownership of your new canine companion.
Putting a pet "on hold"
You may place a "hold" on an animal available for adoption for up to 2 business days for a fee of $25.00. You must have an approved adoption application and you must meet the animal in person before placing a hold on an animal.
Pre-adopting a pet
All WCHS animals are spayed/neutered prior to adoption.Adopters may "pre-adopt" an animal that has not yet had his/her surgery. The animal remains the property of the WCHS until it has been spayed/neutered, at which point the actual adoption is completed. The $50.00 pre-adoption fee is applied to the total adoption fee.
Sign the adoption contract
Once you have selected your pet, you will sign an adoption contract and be given your new pet's medical records, pet care information, one month's free pet health insurance, a bag of the food your pet has been eating and other goodies.
Take your pet home!
Congratulations! You are now a proud pet owner – and you have done a wonderful thing by giving your pet a second chance at a happy life! We are available to make the transition go smoothly, so please don't hesitate to call us with questions or concerns.
WCHS reserves the right to refuse to release any pet for adoption.