Adoption Policies

Adoption Fee & What It Covers

S.H.A.C.’s adoption policies and fees are in place for the best interests and wellbeing of both you AND the animal(s) being adopted. These policies and fees help ensure that we place our cats in loving, responsible, committed, life-long homes.

Our adoption fee is $125 for a kitten/cat up to 2 years old. $75 for a 2nd when adopting a pair. Cats between 2-8 years old, $75. Senior cats, $50. For exotic / rare kittens / cats, $200 and up.

Our adoption fees cover all of these basic medical services, which S.H.A.C. provides to each and every animal we adopt out, including:

  • Spay or neuter (when age and/or weight permit)
  • Vaccines – with at least one FVRCP combo vaccine for cats/kittens
  • Rabies vaccine – for those 12 weeks and older
  • Flea treatment
  • Deworming
  • Tested for FeLV (Feline Leukemia) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
  • Microchip

If you adopt a kitten, depending on their age, the combo vaccine series may or may not be complete (as vaccines are started around 6–8 weeks old and are administered 3–4 weeks apart, up until the age of 14–16 weeks). If the vaccine series is not yet complete at the time of adoption, it will be the adopter’s responsibility to complete the series.

Our adoption fees do not cover the typical medical costs of our rescues. We always provide any necessary medical care for the animals we take in, and are often handling surgeries for injuries or congenital problems, X-rays, blood panels, fecal tests, and treatment for upper respiratory infections and viruses. Donations above and beyond the adoption fee are greatly appreciated. They help us continue to rescue and medically treat the cats, kittens who enter S.H.A.C.’s care.

Once you’ve adopted a new pet into your family, all veterinary expenses are your responsibility for the life of your pet.

Our Adoption Process

To help ensure that we place our cats and kittens in loving, responsible, commited homes, we have a screening process as part of our adoption policies that you must complete before you can adopt a cat from S.H.A.C.. We reserve the right to turn down potential adopters as we deem necessary.

Please complete our Cat Adoption Form. We prefer that you complete the form online; however, if this isn’t a good option for you, we’ll make arrangements for you to fill out a paper application.

Our Return Policy

If for any reason you wish or need to return a cat or kitten you’ve adopted from us, you can do so within one week for a full refund of the adoption fee.

After that, if you need to give up your S.H.A.C. cat for any reason, you must return him or her to S.H.A.C. That is a requirement per our adoption policies. We won’t be able to refund your adoption fee, but we will place him/her in a new home. This policy is in place because we don’t ever want our animals to end up on the streets ever again.

A Lifetime Commitment

When you adopt an animal, it is a commitment you make to the animal, for the lifetime of that animal. By adopting a cat or dog from S.H.A.C., you’re making a commitment to provide love, care, and healthcare for the life of the animal, which can be up to 20 years. Adopting a cat or dog is a serious commitment, but one that is incredibly rewarding.

If you are unable to make such a long-term commitment, we would be happy to have you become a foster parent instead, or consider volunteering some other way with S.H.A.C. It’s a great way to make a difference in an animal’s life!

OTHER ASSISTANCE

S.H.A.C. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Our federal EIN is 84-2145454.

Thank you for your kind generosity!