This page is designed to help you better understand our adoption processes. It is important to read each section carefully as it could save everybody time and/or money in the long run.

Commitment - A Lifetime Promise - Are You Prepared?

Most dogs and cats live 10 to 15 years old (or more). Owning a pet is a serious responsibility and a decision that should be well thought out. Before you adopt ask yourself these questions:

• In 15 years will you still be physically capable of caring for a pet?
• How many times might you move in the next 15 years? Are you willing to move your pet too, with possible restrictions on housing choices where a pet is allowed?
• What changes might happen in your life? Marriage? Children? Will you be willing to continue spending the time, energy, and money to care for your pet? What if your future spouse or children are allergic or can't get along with your pet?
• f you're getting a pet for children you have now, how old will they be in 15 years? Will you still want this pet after the kids have grown up and moved out?
• Can you afford, and are you willing, to pay for a lifetime of food, bowls, collars, toys, kitty litter, behavioral training, veterinarian visits, vaccinations, and medications?
• Do you have time to feed, train, groom, socialize, clean up after, exercise, play with and offer affection and companionship to a pet?
• Do you have the space for the type of pet you want?

Criteria

To ensure happy, healthy, lifetime adoptions, we will require the following information from you in order to begin the qualification process:

• The full names of all adults living in the home
• The address & county of where the animal will reside
• Phone numbers for you and your vet
• The age of all children that will reside with the animal
• What you want/need from the pet you are considering
• Proof of residency or ownership (renters include a copy of your pet policy)
• A collar and a leash for pets 3 months of age or older

Also please understand...

• The completion of an adoption application does NOT guarantee you will receive the animal for which you applied. Each adoption decision is made based on the individual needs of each animal.
• We do NOT ship or adopt our animals to families more than a 60 mile radius of our shelter. There are too many wonderful mixed breeds in a shelter near you.
• We require approximately one day to screen applications.

Finally...

• We can not make any guarantees about temperament, size, shedding, or even breed. If you need such guarantees, please consider breed rescue.
• Most, if not all, of our animals came to us as strays, or from unwanted litters. This means they received very little care, if any at all, before coming here. This fact in combination with our shelter not having an on staff Veterinarian, Al-Van Humane Society can NOT guarantee the health of any of our animals.
• If you are interested in adopting from here, contact your vet, discuss with him / her the risks involved with adopting animals with such sad historys.
• Medicals provided by Al-Van before adoption: Every animal that enters into our shelter is started on the road to a healthy future with 1 parvo/distemper 5-way) and a basic worming.

Adoption Fees

Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and and the Wal-Mart Waltons don't work here so unfortunately we have to charge some modest fees in order to continue providing our services to this great community and the animals therein.

Puppies younger than 6 months: $90 adoption fee, $30 of that $90 is refunded once we receive proof of sterilization. **Out of county adopters will be required to pay a $50 refundable spay / neuter deposit.**

Dogs 6 months and older: $110.00 adoption fee which includes microchip, rabies vaccination and, of course, they are spayed and neutered.

Cats & kittens: $50 adoption fee. If the feline you chose has not yet been altered, you get $25 of that $50 back once sterilization has been completed by the vet of your choice.

Choosing The Right One

Now that you've decided you can qualify, commit to, and afford a pet, you must decide which one. This is extremely important. The pet you choose can be based on many factors such as your lifestyle, your expectations, your family, etc.. Click here to see the different characteristics pets can have to help you decide which is right for you.