Halfway Home Adoption Program
A boy was walking along a beach covered with stranded starfish. As he tossed one after another back to the water, a man approached, asking, “Son, what are you doing?” The boy replied, “I’m saving starfish.” The man said, “But there are thousands of starfish on this beach, you can’t possibly make any difference.” As the boy gently tossed another starfish to the safety of the water, he replied, “I made a difference to that one.”
Our “Halfway Home” is a 3-step program that provides a safe haven for animals in need.
- We rescue lost and abandoned animals.
- The animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, wormed, heartworm or FeLV/FIV tested, and medical needs are met.
- They live in foster homes until they’re adopted by loving families.
If you’re interested in adopting or fostering, please click here to download an application. To apply as a foster home, write “foster” in place of the animal’s name.
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.
I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage.
I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.
Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.
I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.
So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Adoption process
First, thank you for thinking rescue! Our adoption process beings with an application. (download here) While it may seem lengthy and involved, it’s a useful tool to help us match families with compatible pets. Carefully answering each question shows us you’re serious in your commitment to adopt.
Once the application is approved, in most cases, we schedule a home visit. This is not done to evaluate housekeeping skills. It only considers your home’s suitability for a particular pet. Seeing your home/yard and meeting your other pets may also allow us to offer suggestions on integrating your new family member. It most cases, it simply reassures those who are emotionally bonded to the animal, particularly the foster family, that the pet they’ve come to love will be in a safe and nurturing environment.
Following the home visit, you pick up your new family member!
The adoption process is not intended to intimidate or deter potential adopters. We want to place the animals in our care, as this allows us to save others in jeopardy. If you see an animal listed that you think would be perfect for you, but you have concerns about our adoption requirements, please contact us. If you’re not local, we still encourage you to apply. In some cases, we may be able to assist in transportation. While we feel it’s best to meet a prospective pet in person before adopting, we understand that sometimes an animal’s picture and story simply capture your heart. In such cases, speaking with the foster family can provide helpful insight on the pet you’re considering.
Please note that we do not adopt animals on a “first come, first serve” basis, but rather strive to find each pet the most suitable home. Every pet in our program has lost its home at least once and most were in grave danger of losing their lives. After suffering the anguish of being abandoned once, we want to make every effort to ensure each pet’s next home is forever.
Adoption fees vary depending on the animal and are listed in each pet’s description. In most cases, cats are $75-$150 and dogs are $150-$300.
The adoption fee includes:
- Spaying or Neutering
- Vaccinations
- Microchip
- Worming
- Heartworm test (dogs)
- Heartworm preventative (dogs)
- FeLV/FIV test (cats)
- Flea/Tick treatment
- Grooming
- Any medical treatment deemed necessary by a veterinarian
- Harness and/or Collar (dogs)
We’re sometimes criticized for charging adoption fees, but they’re necessary for us to continue our work. When you consider the cost of the veterinary services our pets receive, we believe you’ll find our fees reasonable. In many cases, they barely cover our basic vetting costs. When we receive an animal that’s sick or injured, our expenses far exceed the pet’s adoption fee. We can’t charge a higher fee for these animals, as they’re often elderly or suffering from medical conditions, so any extra we may receive from a young, healthy pet will help offset the costs of the old and infirm.
In addition to veterinary expenses, we also have travel costs, food, cat litter, cleaning supplies, crates, collars/harnesses, leashes, toys, beds, etc.
And finally, the ability and willingness to pay an adoption fee helps reassure us that the adopter values the pet and is serious in their commitment.
For questions about our adoption process, please see Adoption FAQs.
