Pets For Adoption & Adoption Process

Pets For Adoption

Adopting A Pet

One of the most important aspects of the Circle of Friends Humane Society is our adoption program. The pets sheltered at our facility need a second chance. They are not second-hand, second-best, discounted or free. They are invaluable as loyal companions and beloved friends. They deserve our respect and devotion. To that end we strive to place our pets in permanent, loving homes.

The Circle of Friends Humane Society expects you as a responsible pet owner to have considered all the factors necessary for pet ownership BEFORE you adopt. Adopting a pet is not a responsibility to be entered into impulsively or with little or no consideration for the time commitment and expense involved. Pets are not disposable and the responsibility for their care must be taken very seriously.

Be certain of your decision to adopt for the well-being of both you, your family and your pet. The decision to adopt must be based on a frank discussion with family members. It is important that the responsibility for the care of a pet lies with an adult family member, not a child or even a teenager. While younger family members have good intentions and may make promises those intentions and promises generally fade with the initial excitement of pet ownership. Too many pets are relinquished to animal shelters with the excuse that the kids no longer care for the pet.

What are the responsibilities to consider before adopting a pet?

  1. Become knowledgeable about pet care, training, health and behavior issues.
  2. Choose the pet that’s right for you.
    • Breed
    • Age of pet
    • Size at adulthood
    • Temperament/Personality
    • Behavior problems
    • Activity level
    • Shedding
    • Grooming requirements
  3. Consider if you are right for a pet.
    • Are you willing to commit the next 10-20 years to the care of a pet?
    • Are you home during the day to housetrain a puppy?
    • Are you emotionally equipped to deal with the behavior of puppies, kittens or very high-strung adults?
    • Are you able/willing to commit at least 30 to 60 minutes a day to interact with your pet?
    • Is your living space adequate to accommodate the size pet you want?
    • Does your lifestyle match your pet’s activity level?
    • Are you financially able to provide the care necessary for a pet throughout its lifetime, up to $1000 or more each year including:
      • Annual vet visits
      • Emergency medical care
      • Grooming
      • Obedience training
      • Food
      • Toys
      • Shelter

Adoption Procedures

Potential adopters should be aware that adopting a pet from a humane society is significantly different than purchasing a pet from a pet store. We screen potential adopters through an adoption questionnaire and complete the adoption with a legally binding contract stating the terms of the care and sterilization of the pet.

All adoption policies and procedures are carefully researched and based on past experience. These policies and procedures are not intended to be critical of anyone or their personal situation but are implemented for the welfare of the animals sheltered here. It is our responsibility to place these animals in the best homes possible. To that end we reserve the right to deny adoptions to anyone.

It is imperative that our policies and procedures are given due respect by potential adopters. Disrespect or belligerence for the adoption process or toward staff members will disqualify potential adopters from the adoption process.

All adopters must be 18 years old or older to adopt a pet. Adopters must show proof of permanent address through current driver’s license, rental agreement, or utility bill.

  1. Any commitment to accept the responsibility of a pet, any pet, begins with interaction with that pet. We require that potential adopters spend as much time as possible with their chosen pet before beginning the adoption process. Temperament and personality are difficult to determine in a kennel setting and cannot be guaranteed by shelter staff members. Areas are available at the shelter to interact with the pet while limiting outside stimuli.
  2. Once the right pet is chosen potential adopters are required to complete an adoption questionnaire. The adoption is approved or denied based on staff interaction with potential adopters and information given on the adoption questionnaire.
  3. All unsterilized animals adopted from the Circle of Friends Humane Society are required to be sterilized by a certain date.
  4. At the conclusion of the adoption a legally binding contract is signed by the adopter. This contract states the requirements of care to be given to the pet as well as the sterilization requirements.

Fees vary depending on species and whether pets are already sterilized or are due to be sterilized.

Click here to print copies of the following:

Click Pets for Adoption to view a variety of pets available for adoption at the Circle of Friends Humane Society.

 
 
Circle of Friends Humane Society
4375 N. Washington St.
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Phone: 701-775-3732
Email: gfhumane@yahoo.com
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