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The Montgomery County Animal Shelter's
Steps to
Adoption |
Welcome to the Montgomery County Humane Society's adoption information page. We are delighted that you are considering adopting a pet. The following will give you a general idea of the adoption process and hopefully make your visit to the MCHS a pleasant one.
Before you visit, you may want to view some of the animals online that are available for adoption. Please be aware that an animal you see here may not be available once you visit the shelter. We receive between 25-30 new animals every day, so there are many wonderful animals to see and choose from.
Ideally, the entire adoption process is completed within one week, depending on how many applicants have filed on the animal and the availability of the animal. You are now on your way to finding a new friend! |
| Step One |
The first step in the adoption process is to view the animals during visiting hours. All family members must visit with the animal within 24 hours of filling out the application.
Please bring paper and a pen. When you arrive at the shelter, you may go directly back to the animal areas. You do not need to sign in or wait in line at the front desk for this first step. Once you are in the animal areas, if you see an animal that you would like to visit with, write down the pet's name and/or number. Cats, kittens and puppies are given names; adult dogs are given numbers and sometimes may have a name in addition.
At this step in the process, it is a good idea to write down both the tag number, when available, and the name information on as many different animals as possible, since some of the animals that interest you may already have adoption applications.
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| Step Two |
Once you have a list of animals in which you are interested, bring it to the information desk in the lobby (if open) or if not, to the front counter and sign in. Please attempt to limit your request to three different animal visits.
When a customer service representative is available, they will review your list and give you the pertinent information on each of the animals that interest you, so that you can make notes accordingly.
Select the animals that are still available to visit with and go back to that area and wait for an animal caretaker to assist you. Please wait in the designated areas, not by the animal’s cage. This is very important as if you wait by the animal’s cage, there may be a long delay in getting assistance.
If you are visiting with a dog, wait just inside the main kennel door by the sign.
If you are visiting with a cat, wait in the main cat room (the second door on the right of the cat area).
If you are interested in small animals, birds or reptiles, please ask the front office for assistance as many of these animals are out of view to the general public. |
| Step Three |
Once you have finished your visits and have chosen an animal(s), return to the front counter in the lobby and sign in. When your name is called, you will be given an application to complete for the animal you have selected.
Please make sure that you bring your driver’s license or other form of ID with you, as well as your landlord's contact information, if needed. All family members must visit with the animal within 24 hours of filling out the application. The application cannot be processed until this is done and we have received the
landlord’s permission.
Applications are taken on a first come, first-serve basis to adopters within a 60-mile radius. |
| Step Four |
Once this process has been completed, your application will be assigned to one of our adoption counselors. This counselor will contact you to arrange an interview, answer any questions, and discuss ways to make this adoption a smoother transition for both you and your pet.
The counselor will offer vital information such as how to introduce your new pet to your current pet(s), how to get help with illness, if necessary, and the importance of monitoring children with your new pet.
We try to assign all applications within 72 hours of the time that the animal becomes available. The adoption process may take longer if the animal you have selected 1) is a stray that must be held for six days or 2) has a previous application that must be processed.
Please do not be discouraged to apply for an animal that already has an application. It is commonplace for applications to be withdrawn and as a result, your application could become the first one on the animal. |
| Step Five |
Once the adoption counselor has contacted you, the interview must be done ASAP, as it is our goal to find appropriate homes for the animals as fast as possible in order to make room at the shelter for incoming animals. Once the interview has been completed, we ask that you return to the shelter within 24 hours to complete the contract unless other arrangements have been made.
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| Step Six |
When you come to the shelter to complete you adoption paperwork, you will need to be prepared to pay all adoption fees.
Your pets will also be required to see a veterinarian for a complimentary post-adoption screening. You will be furnished with a coupon and list of participating vets when you sign your adoption contract. |
| Additional Information |
What happens after I adopt my pet
MCHS' Adoption Standards
Adoption Fees for County Shelter Adoptions
Foster Adoption Information
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This page last updated 8-30-12
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