ADOPT
Why appointment-based?
Our shelter may be small, but it's a busy little place! While we transitioned to appointment-based visits back in 2020 due to COVID-19, we found that continuing adoptions this way proved to be more efficient for our staff and more comfortable for the cats. We have multiple rooms of cats and kittens, and try as we might, we just aren't able to be in two places at once. We want to ensure that we're able to introduce you to all of the kitties while answering any questions you may have without having to wait for us to bounce back and forth between parties or having to come track us down if we're across the building with another person. Some of the more quiet or timid cats and kittens can also become overwhelmed when several groups, those with loud voices, or small children come to visit. For instance, if a single adult is trying to visit with a more shy cat that's afraid of children, then it wouldn't be fair to the adopter or the cat if we also had multiple families in the same room preventing the shy cat and adopter from being able to interact with each other (as the cat will then likely hide or not feel that it's able to open up to the adopter). It can leave the adopter feeling frustrated and can prevent certain cats or kittens from being adopted. We are also often juggling bottle-feeding kittens, spay/neuter and vaccine clinics, fundraiser planning, cleaning, answering phone calls and emails, and so much more - all in one day! By scheduling dedicated times for adopters to come visit the shelter, we can help ensure that the more shy kitties get a chance to shine, that adopters can spend one-on-one time with the cats, and that we overall have enough time in the day to adequately take care of the animals at our rescue. We thank you for your understanding!
Thinking of adopting? When you adopt a shelter pet, you save two lives - That of the one you adopt, and that of the next pet waiting to come in!
Our Adoption Process:
(Please note that we are appointment-based at this time, and that we are a small team. It takes time for us to process applications, so we thank you for your patience!)
1. Visit our Petfinder.com profile or our Facebook/Instagram pages to see who's here waiting for a home - scroll down for the link to our Petfinder page!
2. If you see a cat or kitten that you like, please complete an adoption application to start the process. You can either complete it online, print it out from home and drop it off, stop by to pick one up, or call/email us about mailing you one. If you don't see what you're looking for quite yet, you can always submit an adoption application outlining what you're looking for. If the right fit comes through our doors, we can reach back out! If you are specifically looking for a kitten and we don't have any at that time, we will keep your application on file for a few months in case any come in.
3. We then perform landlord and vet checks - Please be sure to call or email your vet office to let them know we'll be calling! When we receive an adoption application, we always contact the applicant's landlord/property management (if they rent) to confirm that another pet would be allowed. We also contact veterinary offices to confirm that their current pets are spayed/neutered and up-to-date on recommended vaccines (special circumstances may apply), as well as an overall reference as to whether pets were brought in and treated for illnesses/injuries as needed. Even indoor-only kitties need to go to the vet! (If parts of the application are left blank, or if there is no veterinarian information listed, applications will not be able to be accepted. *Veterinary care is an integral part of pet ownership, so if you are a first-time pet owner, if your veterinary office closed down, if you're new to the area, or if for any other reason you don't have a current veterinary office, please check with local vet hospitals to see who is accepting new clients*
4. If approved, we will then call or email to set up a time that works for you to come visit the cats and kittens that we have waiting for homes! Many are ready to go home same-day, but if not, we can put a "hold" on them for you and let know when they are ready for pick-up. *Please note that we cannot do long-term holds. If you are going out-of-town or otherwise unable to take a new pet home for a few days or weeks, please wait to apply/come in until you are ready to adopt*
Fill out an Adoption Application by clicking below.
We'll contact you if we have any questions and then when the application has been either approved or denied. Please scroll down for our adoption policies, including info for out-of-state adopters.
Our Adoption Policies:
The adoption fee is $120 for a cat up to 10 years of age, and $80 for cats 10 years of age and older. All cats have been spayed or neutered, tested for FeLV/FIV, microchipped, dewormed, treated for fleas, and vaccinated with age-appropriate vaccines (FVRCPC and/or rabies depending on age and time spent at the shelter).
*Per NH State Law, all cats/kittens we adopt out must be microchipped and at least eight weeks of age*
Massachusetts/other out-of-state applicants (aside from VT and ME): Regulations regarding interstate travel/adoptions vary from state-to-state. Depending on the state, we may not be able to conduct same-day adoptions for some out-of-state adopters, as some states require that a health certificate or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection accompany the adopted cat. A surcharge (which can be as much as $100-$200 depending on the state's requirements and associated cost) to cover these documents and the associated veterinary bill will be added to the adoption fee. Please reach out with any questions!
To be considered as an adopter, you must:
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Be the intended owner and primary caretaker. No third party adoptions are allowed.
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Be 21 years of age or older
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Have identification showing your current address
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Have the consent of your landlord (if applicable). Written proof is required or we can call.
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Have the consent of all members of your household
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Be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide the proper care for your cat, along with yearly and emergency medical treatment.
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Currently own only spayed/ neutered pets that are up-to-date on their vaccinations (special circumstances may apply)
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Agree that you will not declaw the cat.
