Thank you for choosing to adopt an animal. By choosing to adopt a pet, you have already joined the ranks of those saving lives, and for that we thank you! Through this process we hope that your life with your new pet will be happy and fulfilling. Because adopting a pet is a life-long commitment and not one to be entered into lightly, adopters must be at least 18 years old with a valid state-issued ID card. Please read the below adoption process carefully.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

Sharing your life with a pet can bring happiness, comfort, and plenty of fun for an individual or family. With a little forethought and planning, you can find the ideal pet and begin to enjoy all the benefits that pet parenthood can bring!

Before selecting a pet, consider your lifestyle. Are you away from home for long periods of time? Some pets get lonely by themselves while others are content with the solitude. If you wish to travel a lot, who will care for the pet while you are away? How much yard space is there, and is it fenced?

Locate your pet policy. If you rent or live in planned community, are you allowed to have pets? If so, are there any breed or size restrictions?  If you need to see a list of pet-friendly rentals, click here.

    • Apartment, Townhouse or Mobile Home Complexes: please bring a copy of your signed lease with a pet policy addendum which addresses any breed restrictions, weight restrictions or pet number limits.
    • Lease from a Private Landlord: please bring a copy of your signed lease with a pet policy addendum which addresses any breed restrictions, weight restrictions or pet number limits.
    • No Formal Lease with a Private Landlord: Your landlord must send an email to adopt@harfordshelter.org that includes…

1. they are aware the adopter(s) is/are planning to adopt an animal from the shelter

2. any breed restrictions, weight restrictions or pet number limits. If there are “none”, your landlord must specifically state that there are no restrictions.

3. a picture of the landlord’s photo ID as an attachment

    • House Owned by Family: the homeowner must be present with their photo ID to provide in-person permission and meet any potential new animal.

Reflect on your resources. Are you prepared for the expense of adoption, routine veterinary care, training, grooming, a healthy diet and supplies? If the animal becomes ill, it may need emergency hospitalization or a specialist.

Determine if the time is right. Getting a pet of your own is a big commitment. Dogs and cats can live up to 20 years and some birds can reach 70. Parents should be prepared to step in to take care of the pet if a child begins to lose interest or just gets too busy.

Before you visit, check out our shelter hours.

SELECTING A PET

Boy with DogWhen you come to the shelter to select a pet, keep an open mind. Put old biases aside and use your head and your heart. Your pet will be a part of your family for years, so base your decision on your objective observations. Talk to our staff members and volunteers. They are very familiar with the animals and can give you good insight into which pet is right for you.

You might want to prepare a list of questions to ask the shelter staff. How would you describe his personality and behavior? Does he like children? How is he with cats? Ask any and all questions that are pertinent to your needs.

Some of the animals you see might be on their “stray hold” which means they are waiting for an owner to come forward and reclaim them and aren’t available to be adopted just yet (click here to view our stray hold periods and learn how to reclaim a pet). Some of the animals are on “AC Hold” which means Animal Control has pending legal action and the animals are not the property of the shelter.

Please note that we cannot make any guarantees as to the health, age, and/or temperament of any pet in our care. We do our best, and provide full disclosure of what we do know about the pet, but many animals come to us with no history or vet records, so much of our work is a guessing game and what we observe in the time an animal is with us.

APPLYING FOR A PET

Once you have selected a pet you would like to meet, either fill out an online adoption questionnaire or visit us in person to look around. Before you visit, check out our shelter hours.

Fill Out an Adoption Questionnaire

The adoption questionnaire helps us get to know you and learn what you are looking for in a pet.

Once your adoption application has been approved, spend time with the pet(s) you are considering. Our staff is happy to help you get animals out of their cages and go outside to interact with dogs. Talk to the staff about your needs and expectations.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find a match on your first visit. Be patient and visit often. The shelter receives new animals every day and your special friend will come along.

Please note that we cannot make any guarantees as to the health, age, and/or temperament of any pet in our care. We do our best, and provide full disclosure of what we do know about the pet, but many animals come to us with no history or vet records, so much of our work is a guessing game and what we observe in the time an animal is with us.

THE MEET & GREET (Dogs only)

After you’ve selected a dog that you’re interested in adopting, completed an adoption application, and your application has been approved, we ask that you bring all members of your household as well as any current dogs to the shelter to do a meet and greet. Here’s what you should expect:

  • Dress your dog in a sturdy collar or harness, but no correction collars or retractable leashes, please – they can affect the meeting!
  • Remember that your dog is likely to be excited meeting new friends in a new location, and expect him or her to act that way. We’re okay with that!
  • We’ll start with parallel walking and we may let one dog lead so the other can sniff and vice versa. This lets them adjust to the other dog and get used to their scent and behavior without being confrontational.
  • You’ll have plenty of time to talk with our staff and explain how you’re feeling about the meeting. Please, if you’re having any reservations, now is a good time to voice any concerns or ask any questions. Please remember that pets have their own personalities and it can take some time for their true selves to emerge. The pet has been through a lot of changes in a short period of time!

going home

Man & Woman with PetsAfter completing all of the above steps, you may take your new pet home! Please bring a collar and leash for dogs and a carrier for cats and small animals. If you don’t have these items, no worries, we have a gift shop with lots of cute pet accessories, including leashes, collars, bowls, toys, and even clothing! We will also give you a sample bag of Purina dry food, which is what we feed the animals in the shelter. If the pet is on any medications we will send you home with a few days’ worth to get you through until you can visit your vet.

Transition Period

Transitioning into a new situation can take some time for your new pet. Helping your pet adjust to their new environment is important for a successful placement. We’ll provide you with an adoption packet with lots of information such as the “Two-Week Shutdown” which helps with acclimating your pet to your home; and of course all of the pet’s medical records and personality information. Our adoption counselors will review the packet with you before you leave.

To make sure you’re prepared for the first night at home, we recommend having the following items:

  • Bowls (one for food, one for water)
  • Collar & Leash (don’t forget the ID tag!)
  • Litter box and litter for your kitty
  • Bed
  • Crate for your dog
  • Cat carrier
  • Toys for your new friend!

Spay & Neuter

If the animal you’ve chosen is not already spayed or neutered, we will collect a $50 “good faith” deposit from you. You will be given a HASP (Harford Animal Sterilization Program) certificate and a list of veterinarians who accept our certificate. Please read the certificate carefully and discuss with your vet so you are aware of what the certificate covers – there may be additional costs associated. You have 60 days (or 60 days after the animal is 6 months old) to get your buddy spayed or neutered. Once you have gotten the procedure done and can provide a receipt from your veterinarian, your $50 deposit will be refunded to you (or you may choose to donate it back to the shelter to help us get other pets spayed or neutered) and HSHC will reimburse the vet for the procedure.

Medical Records

Your new pet’s medical records are included in your adoption packet. We strongly encourage you to take your new pet to the veterinarian within a week of adoption for an exam. Additionally, you can discuss any medical care s/he needs going forward. While our veterinary team makes every effort to assess and report the health of your new pet, HSHC makes no guarantees on the health of any animal.

Pet Insurance

All pets adopted receive a free 30-day trial of pet insurance from Trupanion.

Microchip

Your pet has been microchipped! Microchips work like a barcode: should your pet go missing, a shelter, animal control officer, or veterinarian can scan your pet. A unique number will pop up and is attached to your contact information. We will register your microchip as part of your adoption, but it’s very important that you carefully check the data we entered when you get a packet in the mail from 24PetWatch. If you need to update any information attached to the microchip, click here to get started.

Dog Licensing

Every dog in Harford County MUST be licensed. A dog license helps to document your pet ownership and helps ensure that dogs in our community are vaccinated against rabies. The law requires a license for all dogs older than 6 months and for those residing in Harford County for more than 6 months.

There is an $8 charge for a temporary dog license when you adopt. Our staff will submit your license application to the Harford County Department of Licensing & Permits and in 6-8 weeks you’ll receive your dog’s permanent license in the mail. To obtain a new license (for new County residents/new pet owners) or renew an existing one, please have your dog’s valid rabies certificate handy and click here.

For residents of other counties, please contact your Animal Control agency and they can advise you about your county’s licensing requirements.

Other Resources

We want your adoption to be a success, but sometimes unforeseen behavioral and other challenges arise. We’re here to help! Check out some of our resources and if  you still need help, contact us.

Fees & Applications

Dogs

Puppies 8 weeks-11 months: $250
Dogs 1-5 years: $160
Dogs 6-9 years: $95
Dogs 10 years and older: $35
Includes: distemper vaccination (DHPP for dogs), rabies vaccination (if age-appropriate), canine kennel cough vaccination, de-wormer, heartworm test, flea & tick preventative, microchip, free sample of Purina food, and general exam.
Spay/Neuter (see Spay & Neuter section above for details)

Online Adoption Questionnaire

Cats

Kittens 8 weeks-6 months: $125
Cats 7 months-5 years: $95
Cats 6 years or older: $45
Includes: distemper vaccination (FVRCP for cats), rabies vaccination (if age-appropriate), FeLV (feline leukemia & FIV testing), de-wormer, flea & tick preventative, microchip, free sample of Purina food, and general exam.
Spay/Neuter (see Spay & Neuter section above for details)

Online Adoption Questionnaire

Small & Barnyard Animals

Rabbits: $25
Guinea Pigs: $20*
Rats: $10
Hamsters, Gerbils & Mice: $5
Note: Small animals may not be adopted for breeding purposes. Females who are not spayed may only be adopted to homes where they will NOT have contact with intact small animals of the opposite gender.

Online Adoption Questionnaire