Archive for category: FAQ – Adoption

Excellent, we are sure you will find the perfect pet for you in our program! The first place to start for more information is on our website in the adoptable animals section. There you will see a picture of the pet, as well as his or her details.

If you have any questions or would like more information about a specific animal, you may email the staff on our coordinator teams.

• If you have any questions about a cat, you can reach out to our Operations Coordinator, Jess, at jessica@secondchancenc.org.
• If you have any questions about a dog, you can reach out to our Dog Program Manager, Susan, at susanroberts@secondchancenc.org.

We strongly encourage anyone considering adopting a pet to come to one of our Adopt-a-thons. If there is a particular pet you are interested in, it’s a good idea to fill out an application. Unfortunately, not all of our pets can be brought to every Adopt-a-thon.

All Second Chance animals have been microchipped and spayed or neutered. Cats and kittens have been tested for FeLV and FIV, dewormed, and are up-to-date on all vaccinations. Dogs and puppies have been heartworm-tested (if old enough), dewormed, and are up-to-date on all vaccinations.

ADOPTION FEES:

1 cat = $95;
2 cats (over 1 year old) = $140;
1 kitten (up to 1 year old) = $120;
1 kitten (up to 1 year old) + 1 cat = $160;
2 kittens (up to 1 year old) = $190.

1 dog (over 1 year old)= $325;
1 puppy (under 1 year old) = $350.

The fact that you’re thinking about adopting from an animal shelter means you’re a responsible and caring person. But before you make the decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to consider these things:

ADOPTING A CAT

• Is a cat the right pet for you? Your cat will depend on you throughout its life and, with proper care, may live 15 years or more. Are you willing and able to care properly for them and provide a stable home for that long?
• Don’t get a cat without considering and planning for the costs for such a responsibility. Normal veterinary care includes spaying or neutering, yearly shots, and boosters and examinations for typical diseases. Preventive and consistent care is less expensive in the long run. Normal costs could run between $100 and $300 a year.
• If you cannot afford veterinary care for a cat, you should not get one. Other normal costs include cat food, cat litter, litter pans and scoops, cat toys, scratching posts, etc.
• Most changes in your life shouldn’t affect your ability to give your cat a good home. There are people who think they must give up a cat when they move. That’s not the case at all; it is relatively easy to move with a cat, even if you’re moving across the country or overseas.
• Okay, so your budget and your lifestyle make a cat a good pet option for you. Now you have to decide what kind of cat is best for you. Are you looking for a very active, playful cat? Do you need a cat who will be gentle with children or elderly people? Do you need a cat who won’t be frightened by a barking dog? Or are you looking for a cat who is calm and affectionate, that will nap on your lap, or sleep in your bed at night?
• Consider adopting an adult cat. An adult cat already has a fully developed personality, so you know what you’re getting. Adult cats generally adapt just fine to new homes and bond just as strongly with new families as kittens do. Kittens require more care and observation, they may need to be litterbox-trained, and they require several trips to the veterinarian for vaccinations and check-ups. In addition, it is difficult to predict what a kitten will turn out like when it grows up.
• Make sure all family members are in agreement about adopting. Your cat will become part of your family and as such will interact with all other family members. Cats value their independence and may not be suitable pets for young children.

ADOPTING A DOG

• Why do you want a dog? It’s amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a dog. Adopting a pet just because it’s “the thing to do” or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don’t forget that dogs may be with you 10, 15 or even 20 years.
• Do you have time for a dog? Dogs cannot be ignored just because you’re tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of the year.
• Can you afford a dog? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, and other expenses add up quickly.
• Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a dog can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren’t yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of dog ownership.
• Can you have a dog where you live? Many rental communities don’t allow dogs, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
• Is it a good time for you to adopt a dog? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Dog ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you’re a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise.
• Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active-they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, soe big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research. That way, you’ll ensure you choose an animal who will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
• Do you know who will care for your dog while you’re away on vacation? You’ll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding/kennel or pet-sitting service.
• Will you be a responsible dog owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
• Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the dog for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a dog, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.

Sure, it’s a long list of questions. The majority of the dogs and cats in our program were abandoned or homeless, victims of irresponsible people who didn’t think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got an animal.

Please, don’t make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you’re willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love – for the life of the pet.

Second Chance Pet Adoptions reviews applications for the “best fit” home for the animal rather than “first come, first served.” There is no guarantee you will be approved just because you submitted an application immediately when the animal became available.

Dog Adoption Procedure:

Second Chance receives inquiries on our dogs from web contacts, our voicemail system, Adopt-a-thons, and friends of our volunteers. The first step in the procedure is to fill out an adoption application. This step MUST be completed to progress.

Once the completed application is received, the dog coordinators will check any vet references (to make sure the applicant’s current animals are up-to-date on vaccines, etc.), and if the applicant leases, their landlord will be called to verify they have paid the pet deposit and can have the size/breed of dog they have applied for.

After reference checks are completed, the application is then sent to the dog’s foster parent for review. The foster parent is expected to call or email the applicant to tell them more about their foster dog within 48 hours of receiving the application. Please note that not every application will be approved. Second Chance will always err on the side of caution with any animal in our program. If for whatever reason we don’t find a perfect match this time, we will try to suggest another dog in our program who may be a better fit your home.

If the application is approved by the foster parent, a meeting is then set up for the applicant and dog to meet. This can be set up for the next Adopt-a-thon, at the foster home, at the applicant’s house, or at a neutral location. If the meeting goes well, the applicant and foster parent are given 24 hours to think about it, and then a second meeting is arranged if both parties think the applicant’s home is a good match for the dog.

For the second meeting, it is HIGHLY recommended that this visit be done at the applicant’s home. This is to make sure the dog is comfortable there and all family members and current pets have met the dog.

If, at this time, the foster parent and applicant agree the dog is a good match, the adoption is finalized. The applicant must sign a contract and pay the applicable adoption fee at this time. The foster parent will give the complete medical records to the new parents.

Cat Adoption Procedure:

Second Chance receives inquiries on our cats from web contacts, our voicemail system, Adopt-a-thons, and friends of our volunteers. The first step in the procedure is to fill out an adoption application. This step MUST be completed before we can continue.

Once the completed application is received, the cat coordinators, where applicable, will check any vet references (to make sure the applicant’s current animals are up-to-date on vaccines, etc.), and if the applicant leases, their landlord will be called to verify they have paid the pet deposit and can have the cat they applied for.

After the adoption counselor has reviewed the application and discussed what you are looking for in your new cat, they usually will have two or more cats in mind, if you have not inquired about a specific cat. They will introduce you to the cat(s) in one of our meet-and-greet rooms and discuss the cat’s personality traits with you. This is also the time when any special needs or medications, along with the cat’s history, will be explained and reviewed with you.

Your choice has been made! You will sign a simple contract to complete your adoption and we request that you pay the adoption fee by cash or check (we also accept cards). It is important to bring a cat carrier to transport your new cat. If you do not have a carrier, the cat will not be discharged to you at that time, as we do not allow cats to free-roam in cars. You will also receive a “go home” bag with loads of helpful information and some of the food your cat is currently eating. We will also give you a demonstration nail trimming if you want. (Our cat adopters receive free nail trims for life at our adoption center.)

And lastly, you’ll take your new family member home for many years of companionship and love!

Once you have found a pet you like, first you will want to make sure the pet is still available and has not already been adopted. Once you have verified that the pet is still available by making sure the animal is still listed on our website, fill out an application (dog / cat). It’s that easy! Your application will be reviewed and an informal meeting will be arranged (if you have not already met the pet and an adoption counselor). Once you and the adoption counselor are confident that you and the pet are a good match for each other, we will arrange for you to take home the newest member of your family! Please note that we do require a 24-hour waiting period for the adoption of a dog or puppy. Canines are not allowed to go home straight from an Adopt-a-thon.