Adoption Process & Policies

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Adoption Process

All adoption applications and references are reviewed thoroughly.  Adoption applications will be approved based on the placement best suited for the animal and the adopter.  We reserve the right to disapprove any application.

Here are the steps you will go through in the adoption process:

  1. Our process includes asking questions, asking to see proof of identity and checking veterinary references, particularly when you have other animals at home.
  2. You’ll have a counseling session with a knowledgeable member of our staff who will fill you in on the history and needs of that animal, and his feeding and exercise requirements. You can ask your counselor any questions about spaying or neutering, housetraining, obedience training, scratching (in cats), veterinary care, how to deal with fleas and ticks, and other animal situations.
  3. You will be asked to sign an adoption contract and pay an adoption fee. There is a schedule of fees, which begin at $40. The adoption fee covers the veterinary care, deworming, and vaccines your pet receives at the shelter. If you are adopting a dog, you must purchase a dog license. All animals adopted from our shelter are spayed/neutered.

Please note: Due to the tremendous demands on our kennel space, we generally cannot hold animals for anyone.

Adoption Policies

The Humane Society requires that pet adopters sign two documents when they adopt pets from our shelter. The rules in these documents are the rules that we follow to select adopters, and that you follow to become an adopter. The first document is the Standards for Adoption and the second is the Adoption Contract.

  1. Must be 21 years or older to adopt.
  2. Animals are available for adoption to persons approved by the Humane Society of Greene County. All persons living in the household are encouraged to be involved in the selection of the pet. If the adopter is single and living at home with parents, one parent must be present at the time of adoption.
  3. Permission of the landlord is required of persons living on rental property.
  4. Animals will be placed with adults of legal age, to be kept as household pets and not work to serve only as guards, hunters, or mousers.
  5. Pennsylvania State law requires that all animals that we release for adoption must be spayed/neutered, and must be current on their vaccinations.
  6. Owners are required to provide each companion animal with adequate food, water, shelter, space, exercise, treatment, and veterinary care.
  7. No animal will be adopted as a gift for another person. HSGC will issue “gift certificates.”
  8. According to the Pennsylvania Dog Laws, all dogs must be kept under control and not be allowed to run at large. Because chained dogs are at a higher risk of being stolen, a fenced yard is recommended. This provision can be waived at the discretion of Humane Society staff.
  9. Cats may be adopted as indoor/outdoor pets; however, for the well being, longevity, and health of the cat, the Humane Society recommends that it remain inside. Declawed and deaf cats and cats that had been kept indoors must be maintained strictly as house pets only.
  10. In most cases, the Humane Society does not place puppies and kittens under three months of age in homes with children under six years old.
  11. No animal will be adopted to persons having an extensive history of losing, giving away, selling, or having animals injured or killed by moving vehicles.
  12. Animals that exhibit serious behavioral disorders are not available for adoption.
  13. If this animal’s health is inadequately maintained (vaccinations, food, water, housing, and minimal physical grooming); if the animal creates a problem by running loose; or if the animal threatens or injures people or other animals, the Humane Society may reclaim it.

In this contract, the term Humane Society refers to the Humane Society of Greene County (PA).

  1. I agree to provide my companion animal with proper food, water, shelter, veterinary care and humane treatment at all times and will not expect reimbursement from the Humane Society for any expenses incurred.
  2. I agree that any agent of the Humane Society may inspect this animal and its living conditions at any reasonable time, and may reclaim it if there is evidence that any terms of this Contract or Standards for Adoption are violated.
  3. I agree to have this companion animal examined by a veterinarian within seven (7) days from receipt of the animal.
  4. I understand that this animal is to be spayed/neutered prior to my adopting it, according to Pennsylvania State law.
  5. I agree that the animal will not be used for vivisection or any experimental or fighting purposes.
  6. I agree that I will not sell, trade, give away, or dispose of this animal in any way, but will return it to the Humane Society if I desire to relinquish custody. I understand that there will be no refund of adoption fees.
  7. I agree not to abandon this animal.
  8. I agree to tag, license, and inoculate this adopted animal in accordance with state and local laws where I keep the animal. It is my responsibility to know these laws.
  9. I agree to notify the Humane Society immediately if the companion animal is stolen, lost, or dies.
  10. I understand that the Humane Society cannot guarantee the health, behavior, age, sex, or temperament of this animal.
    No claim, action suit in law or in equity will be brought by me against the Humane Society, its agents or officers by reason of this adoption.

If you are interested in adopting an animal from us, click to download a copy of our adoption application or fill out the application online.

Many of our most active volunteer caretakers perform foster care for animals. Foster care means that they take an animal for a few weeks or months, and then return it for adoption. Small puppies and kittens often must be fostered to keep them from disease carried by the general animal population. Some animals rescued from abusive behavior need foster care for evaluation and rehabilitation. Abused animals may have sores, burns, skin or respiratory diseases, or may be excessively fearful. Some of these animals will become great companion animals, but they need attention, and are not yet ready for a permanent home.
Please go to our foster page for additional information, and for an application to be a foster caretaker.

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