The following policies were established based on our principles, beliefs and experiences.
For those Scott and Rock Island County adopters 60 years of age or older, please see the Golden Companions Program information.
1. Prospective adopters must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
2. Proof of residence is required. This could be in the form of a driver's license with your current address, a gas & electronic bill, phone bill, etc.
3. Proof of income is required. This is to ensure the potential adopter can support the maintenance and care of the animal. Proof of income can be in the form of a recent pay stub or job identification badge.
4. All adoptions must be done in person. Initial visit will be a visit with the animal and to subsequently complete adoption application and questionnaire. Exceptions are not granted based on your location. If you are interested in adopting an animal from the HSSC, we require the in-person visit and application process. We then will schedule the animal to be spay/neutered and you may return after the surgery to pick up your new lifelong companion. Regardless of your distance from our shelter, a minimum of 2 trips will be required to adopt an unaltered animal. Adopters who live outside a 50 mile radius may want to consider adopting an animal who is already altered or being willing to commit themselves to making two trips to our shelter for their pet.
5. If you have children, it is strongly recommended they be involved in the adoption process to ensure the compatibility of the animal of your choice with your child's age, comfort level, degree of activity, etc.
6. If a dog is being adopted into a home which already has a dog, the shelter requires that the existing pet be brought in to meet the new dog to ensure compatibility. The shelter will make the final determination if they feel the dogs will be compatible to approve/deny the adoption.
7. If a prospective adopter rents, we must have either a copy of the lease stating pets are allowed or verification and consent from the landlord stating such. If a prospective adopter is over 18 years of age but still lives with their parents, we must have the parents consent before approval of the adoption.
8. All dogs, cats and rabbits adopted from this shelter will be spayed /neutered. This ensures the adopted pet will not contribute to the pet overpopulation problem. The shelter will alter the animal before it can go home with you. If for some reason the spay/neuter can not be done at the time of adoption, the adopter will be given a voucher to present to local participating veterinarian to have their adopted animal altered. Adopters will also be given a deadline in which to have their newly adopted animal altered. The HSSC will be notified by the vet the animal has been altered. No adoption is final until such a time. Note: some vets charge more than the covered charge for spay/neuter. Any additional amount above and beyond that authorized will be at the owners expense. Please check with your vet of choice before scheduling the surgery to determine what amount, if any, you will be responsible for.
9. Our goal is to ensure our animals are adopted only into the best possible life-long home. Cats and dogs are only adopted as inside pets. We do not condone nor support adoptions of animals as outdoor pets.
10. Indigenous wild animals will be placed with approved rehabilitators only.
11. Our animals come from various environments where oftentimes the medical history is unknown. We conduct a health and temperament test on all animals entering our shelter and make ever effort to ensure the animals are healthy with no obvious signs of illness before placing the animal up for adoption. All dogs receive distemper, adenovirus(2), paroinfluenza and parvovirus vaccinations as well as a de-worming and nasal bordetella. Cats receive a deworming and distemper vaccination. All adopted animals must receive a physical from a veterinarian within 4 working days of the placement. Refunds or credits for adoptions will be only given under the following circumstances:
a. Illness with visible symptoms within seven (7) days following the adoption
b. Veterinary statement regarding physical defect or illness within seven (7) days following adoption.
c. Severe and obvious disposition or personality defect in the animal within fourteen (14) days following adoption.
10. All subsequent examinations, vaccinations and medical treatment obtained after adoption must be paid for by adopter.
11. Families with children under five (5) years of age must adopt an animal that is at least twelve (12) weeks or older. Usually, young children cannot be expected to handle puppies and kittens properly. Mishandling is likely to result in injury to the animal, child or both.
12. Property checks will be performed at the shelter's discretion. Adoption of American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pitbull Terriers and Rottweilers, and some mixes thereof, may require a property check before the adoption can be approved. We require a fenced yard or outside kennel.
13. We retain the right to refuse adoption to anyone.
14. Adoption fees are as follows:
*Note: These adoption fees include the above stated vaccinations and the cost of spay / neuter.
