Adopt-A-Pet
Find a new best Friend
Find A Pet
See and view pets in our Adopt-A-Pet database application.
Information includes; Pet Name, Breed, Gender, Age, and General Background Information for the pet.
Our Adoption Policy
Anyone interested in adopting an animal from the Humane Society
& SPCA of Hancock County must follow these steps for adoption:
- You must be willing to come in person to our facility and meet the animal. At that time if adopting, you will fill out the appropriate paperwork. Out of town and state adoptions are welcome, but the same guidelines apply. There will be no online or over the phone adoptions.
- All members of the family (including the furry ones) must also visit with the animal before the adoption will be approved to ensure compatibility with the household. Visiting animals must be accompanied with current vaccination records.
- Upon adoption, the animal will be scheduled for the spay/neuter surgery. All dogs/cats will be spayed/neutered before leaving our facility.
- Two trips to the Humane Society will be required. One for completing the adoption application and visiting with the animal and the second to pick up the animal after surgery.
- The person(s) responsible for the animal, actual owner(s), will be required to be here in person to pay for the adoption and sign the paperwork. No adoption will be approved as a gift.
- There will be no refunds after the adoption is finalized.
- These policies are final. We do our best to find a suitable home for each and every animal up for adoption.
Adoption Questions & Answers
Q: What is required to adopt an animal?
A: We require that everyone in the household visit with the animal to ensure compatibility. Also, we verify that the adopter owns their own home. If the adopter is not a homeowner, we require landlord authorization of the adoption. Occasionally, we do place restrictions on animals, like no small
children or fenced yard required, if we have any concerns for safety.
Q: How long does the adoption process take?
A: The adoption process takes about an hour. This gives you time to visit with the animal and ask questions. This, also, includes time to discuss and complete our adoption contract.
Q: Can I take the animal home the same day that I adopt?
A: You will not be able to take the animal home the same day. The animal will be required to stay at the shelter until after it has been spayed/neutered. If the animal is already spayed/neutered, you will be able to take the animal home the following day. It will need to stay at the shelter until it is microchipped.
Q: Why is the adoption fee so much?
A: The fee you are paying for adoption goes towards the care the animal has received while it was at the shelter. Most of the time, the shelter does not make any money on the adoption fee. The fee is used to help compensate for the testing, health care, and basic needs we provide for the animal.
Q: Is adopting an animal cheaper than buying an animal or taking ownership of a “free” animal?
A: Actually, adopting an animal oftentimes is much cheaper than buying or taking ownership of a “free” animal. The adoption fee is actually a great deal if you consider the average cost of veterinarian services and all that is included with an adopted animal.
Check out the average veterinary costs for your pet's first year:
Adopting a pet from the Humane Society vs. Average Vet costs
Download a PDF version of the chart -
Humane Society vs. Vet costs
comparison
Adoption Fees
Dogs: $125.00 – Spay/Neuter Surgery, Negative Heartworm Test, DA2PPC Vaccine, One Year Rabies Vaccine, Worming, Frontline Flea Treatment, Hancock County Dog License, Bag of Hill's Science Diet Dog/Puppy Food, Certificate for Free Office Visit (at one of five local vets).
Cats: $95.00 – Spay/Neuter Surgery, Negative Feline Leukemia Test, FVRCP Vaccine, One Year Rabies Vaccine, Worming, Frontline Flea Treatment, Bag of Hill's Science Diet Cat/ Kitten Food, Certificate for Free Office Visit (at one of five local vets).
Success Stories
One of our recent alumni is Johnny a beautiful lab/shepherd mix. His new owner is Rebecca.
“I spent some time in the “Get Acquainted Room” with various dogs, but none of them ever seemed like a good match. I kept overlooking this black lab-shepherd mix named Bubba because I was trying hard to broaden my horizons and look for a dog that wasn't so big. But I got to noticing how he was the only one who didn't bark his head off whenever anyone came into the kennel room. When I pulled him into the GA Room on a whim, he was impressively smart and well-behaved for a 10-month-old.
I volunteered for the Share-A-Pet program one day and got to see Bubba play with his BFF, a young female boxer named Roxxy. Bubba was so cute and so energetic and so interesting. I. Wanted. This. Dog.
…In the end, we all got acquainted with Bubba and I laid down the adoption fee. He spent a few more days in the shelter… and Gabe and I spent his college fund getting supplies for him... I would tell anyone who would listen that I was getting a new dog.
…This is one of the sweetest creatures on earth, I assure you. We went to the vet this morning for his initial visit and he did so well it was ridiculous. But I don't care. I am unabashedly so in love with this dog – whom we have re-christened as John Adams, or Johnny for short – that he could eat my best shoes and I wouldn't care. Well…maybe…”
