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Adoption Process:

Our Adoption Process - And Why We Do It This Way

Please take a few moments to read the following explanations of our adoption policies and the steps that make up the process. You may be surprised to find that adopting an animal is a more involved process than you expected, or that it means you can’t have immediate access to an animal you are interested in. Therefore, it’s important to understand two things 1) the process is the same for everyone, and 2) it’s not our intent to frustrate you. Rather, everything we do is for the best possible chance of finding a permanent home.

Here are the steps you’ll go through in the adoption process

Before you can see (that is pet, cuddle, walk, and get to know) any animal you’ve seen in our kennel, we’ll ask you to complete an application. The application must be completed first in order to minimize stress for you and the animals. Our process includes asking questions, asking to see proof of identity and, frequently, asking for veterinary references, particularly when you have other animals at home. This is simply to protect the health of adoption candidates and the pets you already have.
Once the application is satisfactorily completed, you may handle and visit the animal you’re interested in. You’ll have a counseling session with a knowledgeable member of our staff who will fill you in on the history and needs of that animal, and his feeding and exercise requirements. You can ask our counselor any questions about spaying or neutering, housetraining, obedience training, scratching (in cats), veterinary care, how to deal with fleas and ticks, and anything else you can think of.
You will be asked to sign an adoption contract and pay an adoption fee.

Please Note: As a general rule , we cannot hold animals for anyone. Unfortunately, because of the tremendous demands on our kennel space, most adoptions must be done on a first-come, first-served basis, and the first good, properly qualified prospective home will get the pet. We stop accepting applications for adoptions 1/2 hr before closing.

Let Us Repeat: We don’t ever mean to be frustrating to or evasive with you. We want you to understand that it’s stressful and upsetting-in fact, downright devastating-for the animals, for our staff, and most importantly, for you when adoptions don’t work out and pets have to come back to us. And a bad adoption experience can sour some people on dogs or cats-or on shelter animals-for life. So try to bear with us and be patient. And understand that going through the process the way we do really is the best policy-for all of us.

Cat and Dog Adoption Fees

We do not accept personal checks!

Cash or Credit Cards accepted - Visa/MasterCard, Mac, Discover and American Express

Out of County/State Adoptions: There is a requirement of a $100.00 deposit on any animal adopted to an out of County or State adoptee until proof of spay or neuter of the pet. Deposit will then be refunded. If pet is already fixed no deposit required

Adoption Application-Dog Adoption Application-Cat

Other Animals:

$35	Rabbit Adoption Fee
Varies	Birds
$10	Hamsters & Guinea Pigs
Varies	Snakes
Adoption Fees	Cats and Dogs

Important Info:

The Humane League of Lancaster County is an independent non-profit organization for the prevention of cruelty
to animals and the care of stray and unwanted animals. We are a 501(c)3 IRS Approved Charity.

2195 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 393- 6551 | Fax (717) 295-1391 | E-mail: info@humaneleague.com

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