HOW TO ADOPT A PET

Bringing home a new pet is exciting, and we want the process to be smooth for both you and your future companion.

Requirements

  • Age – You must be at least 18 years old.

  • Housing – We must verify that you own your home or have your landlord’s approval to have pets. If you live with parents/guardians, they must be present and complete the adoption application.

  • ID & Contact – Bring a valid driver’s license or state ID and have a personal phone number.

  • Other Pets –

    • Dogs: A meet-and-greet may be required. If you’re traveling from out of town, consider bringing your dog just in case. Our staff will help with introductions in our play yard.

    • Children under 16: Must also meet the pet to ensure compatibility (exceptions may apply for cat adoptions).

  • Gifting – Pets may not be adopted as gifts (except for children in your household, with the above introductions).

  • Spay/Neuter – We strongly recommend all pets in your home are fixed before adopting. Ask us about low-cost options.

How it works

  1. Meet & Apply – Visit the shelter pet and/or complete our online adoption application.

  2. Processing – Applications may be reviewed the same day, but may take up to 24–48 hours. If approved but not ready to take your pet home, you may place them on hold for 24 hours with a paid adoption fee.

  3. Finalize – Once approved, we’ll contact you to schedule a time to come and meet your new friend (again), and if you’re thrilled, we’ll complete the adoption agreement, process payment, and go over the animal’s records.

Note: WCAS reserves the right to deny applications in the best interest of the animal or adopter.

What’s Included

All adopted cats and dogs:

  • Spay/neuter surgery (prior to adoption)

  • Microchip with lifetime registration (we do the registration it for you)

  • Age-appropriate vaccines (cats: FVRCP, Rabies; dogs: Bordetella, DHLPP, Rabies)

  • Deworming, flea/tick prevention, and heartworm testing/prevention for dogs

Other care (such as boosters, dental work, or fecal exams) is not included and will be your responsibility. Adopters should take pets to a veterinarian within 30 days for a wellness check.

Return Policy

Any pet adopted from WCAS is always welcome back. If you can no longer care for your pet, our adoption agreement requires that the animal be returned to us so we can place them in another qualified home. Please call us prior to bringing the animal back.

Please note: adoption fees are non-refundable and are considered a donation toward the pet’s care while at our shelter.

Research, please!

We see it happen more often than you’d think — dogs being returned because of behaviors that are completely normal for their breed.

Before bringing home a new furry friend, it’s so important to research the breed (or mix!) you’re considering. Every breed has different instincts, energy levels, and needs that can affect what kind of home they’ll thrive in.

• Huskies may dig and try to run — it’s in their nature.
• Herding breeds like Heelers or Border Collies may nip or chase moving things.
• Terriers often love to dig and bark — they were bred to hunt small animals!
• Working breeds like Shepherds and Rottweilers need jobs and structure to be happy.

These aren’t “bad” behaviors — they’re instincts. But they can become problems if a dog ends up in the wrong environment.

Before adopting, ask yourself:
• Can I meet this breed’s energy and exercise needs?
• Am I prepared for the grooming, training, and time commitment?
• Does this dog’s personality fit my lifestyle?

When you take time to understand the breed, you set your dog — and yourself — up for success.

We want to see each and every one of our shelter dogs thrive in their new homes. Taking the time to understand what they need helps us lower the rate of returns and give every dog the best chance at a forever family.

If you’re not sure what breed fits your home best, our team can help you find your perfect match!