ADOPTIONS STOP 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO CLOSING
Tuesday - Friday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
The FSAC & SPCA is closed to the public on Sundays & Mondays
ADOPTION POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Our main focus is twofold — control the unwanted pet population and do the best for the animals that we receive here. The goal of our adoption program is to find suitable homes for healthy and well-adjusted homeless pets. Matching a potential owner to a pet is determined by wants, care capabilities, and the potential pet's requirements to ensure a healthy and happy life. To make certain that we've helped to make a good match, we adhere to the following adoption procedures:
Before adopting a pet from the FSAC & SPCA, you can complete an adoption application which will provide information about your lifestyle, and where the pet will be living. Prior to the approval, homes/property may require an inspection. This is for the protection and safety of both the animal and the local community in which it will live. Please be aware that NO HOLDS can be placed on an animal.
If you are adopting from a distance please be aware that if for any reason you can no longer care for the animal, you are required by the adoption contract to bring it back to the shelter so that we can place it in a home.
We have the right to refuse any adoption we do not feel is in the best interest of the animal. Individuals who want to adopt must be at least 18 years of age.
CONSULTATION & PET SELECTION
An adoption counselor will review your application with you to make certain you have carefully considered the cost and responsibilities of pet ownership and to help determine what type of pet would be suitable for your lifestyle. Remember, a dog or cat can live ten+ years. Rather than adopt one that may prove unsuitable, it is best to revisit us until a pet that is compatible with your lifestyle is found. If you selected a pet and your application has been approved, we can proceed with an adoption contract. If, for some reason, your application is not approved, adoption will be refused.
ADOPTION CONTRACT
The contract you sign is a legal agreement between you and the FSAC & SPCA. We ask that you take the time to read the contract before signing. It states the conditions you agree to provide your pet. If at any time in the future you can no longer keep the pet, you will return it to our shelter. Spaying or neutering is mandatory by Delaware law when a pet is adopted from a shelter or rescue group. Animals will be sterilized before completion of adoption.
RENTERS POLICY
If you are a renter, you will be required to have written approval from your landlord or a copy of your lease stating that you are permitted to house a pet on your rented property. .
THE BEGINNING
When you adopt from us, we will provide you with helpful adoption literature as well as any additional assistance we can provide to make your adoption a success. We want your adoption experience to be a happy one. The FSAC & SPCA recommends the following be considered to ensure a happy relationship with your pet.
1. VETERINARY EXAMINATION: Within the first 7 days after adoption, your new pet must be seen by your vet to ensure good health and to continue routine health care. Your adoption contract has all available medical history of your pet. Make sure you present your contract to your Vet at the time of examination. DO NOT give your pet any over-the-counter medications AT ALL without consulting your vet first. You will be responsible for all vet care once your pet leaves FSAC-SPCA.
ALL DOGS & CATS SIX MONTHS OF AGE AND OLDER ARE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW TO BE INOCULATED FOR RABIES. THIS MUST BE DONE BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN, AND CAN BE DONE AS EARLY AS THREE MONTHS OF AGE.
All dogs six months of age and older are required by state law to be licensed. Once you have had your dog inoculated for rabies, you can purchase a dog license by calling 877.730.6347 or going to Petdata.com/Delaware.
2. HEARTWORM PREVENTION: Approximately 30% of adult dogs received at our shelter have heartworm disease. Left untreated, heartworm is fatal to dogs. The treatment to cure this disease can be costly, ranging anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000. It is extremely important to have your dog checked for this disease. Your vet can supply the appropriate preventative medications for the prevention of heartworm. Your dog can be placed on the preventative only if free from heartworms. The FSAC & SPCA provides only one initial scan for this disease before dogs are released for adoption, and the additional test is requested to be done by a veterinarian. This is a more in depth and accurate test.
3. OBEDIENCE TRAINING helps train you to train your dog (not necessary for cats). We highly recommend you seek training within the first few months after adoption, as it will strengthen the owner-pet bond. We do not recommend any training program where someone else is training your dog without your presence.
4. PET IDENTIFICATION Along with the microchip, we will keep a registration record on file with vital information on you and your pet, where we can reach you, and your vet's contact information for emergencies. Even if you think your pet will never get out, it is best to have your pet wear its ID and license tags. Always make sure the microchip company has current information for you, or if your pet is scanned at a vet facility or elsewhere, there will be no way to contact you.
6. LOST PETS should be reported to the FSAC & SPCA immediately. A pet that wanders from home could be hit by a car and require medical attention. Always make sure you have photos of your pet, which can be brought to the SPCA to help with identification of your pet. Pets have been returned to their owners from our shelter as long as two years after they have disappeared, thanks to photos and microchipping.
7. IN THE EVENT YOU CAN NO LONGER CARE FOR OR KEEP THE PET THAT YOU ADOPTED, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING IT BACK TO OUR SHELTER. If you feel you found a suitable home for the pet, the person interested in your pet must visit the shelter and sign an adoption agreement with us. This requirement protects your pet by ensuring the new owner will provide a responsible home. If you have been found to break this agreement, we will not adopt any more pets to you.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL THE FIRST STATE ANIMAL CENTER AND SPCA AT 302-943-6032