Click here to access an adoption application.

When you adopt a pet from a shelter, you give that animal a second chance life and you support programs to help prevent pet overpopulation.

ADOPTION FEES (contact the shelter for details):

Adoption fees include:

• all worming and vaccinations given prior to adoption
• a free vet exam at the Clinic of your choice
• a collar, I.D tag and pet registration
• free bag of pet food

• get acquainted with a pet in our play yard or office
• complete the information on our Pre-Adoption Questionnaire. (Be sure to get your landlord's consent if you are leasing or renting!)
• complete an Adoption Form, pay the fee and enjoy your pet
• obtain the free veterinary exam ASAP or within one week
• pets must be adopted by the prospective owner and be 18 years of age or older (gift certificates are available)

: 

Pet registration and identification:
With your adoption you receive an I.D. tag and your pet is registered with the shelter. Keep identification on your pet at all times and call the shelter immediately if your pet is lost. Pets wearing I.D. can be returned promptly, saving you considerable expense and days or weeks of anxiety. Lost pets may be left to wander or may be kept by well-meaning citizens who presume the animals are abandoned.

The most likely time for your pet to wander is in its first few days of adjustment to unfamiliar surroundings. The trees, fences and roads which represent obvious boundaries to you are meaningless to your pet. Confine your pet for a period of time until it bonds with you. Spend some time teaching it to recognize and respect its new boundaries.

Provide a comfortable collar for your pet so you won't be tempted to give in to its protests by removing the collar. Tattoos and microchips are also available but all animals will accept their collars in time. Outdoor cats need elastic collars or quick-release collars to prevent strangulation from snagging.

Contact the Shelter at 208-265-PAWS for a free ID tag anytime!

Other Important Pet Info
Animal control laws: Most counties and their incorporated cities now have animal control laws which require you to restrain your dog. Check with your clerk to see if there may be requirements for licensing, rabies vaccination or means of safe transport for your dog or cat.

If your pet bites someone, you are obligated by law to make a report to a law enforcement agency and/or your public health authorities.

Spaying and neutering: All animals are spayed or neutered prior to leaving the Shelter. The Panhandle Animal Shelter receives approximately 2,000 animals each year. We hope you will join us in our commitment to have all adopted animals altered so they will not contribute to the cycle of abuse, neglect and abandonment suffered by unwanted pets.

There are many benefits to having your pet altered. Surgical procedures are routine and your pet will recuperate quickly. Veterinarians will try to accommodate your busy schedule.

Spaying/neutering your pet may prevent or reduce bad habits such as fighting, roaming, marking territory and making unwelcome visits to your neighbors' pets.

Altering your pet may reduce the chances of contracting serious, sometimes fatal, diseases of the reproductive systems of both males and females.

There is no benefit to a female in having a litter prior to spaying. A spayed female will not attract the unwanted attention of neighboring males and she will never burden you with the expense or inconvenience of an unplanned litter. The admission of so many animals to the Shelter is sad testimony to the fact that there are no homes available for the puppies or kittens that an unspayed female may produce.

Male animals do not become fat or lazy because they have been neutered. They do tend to expend less energy in search of a mate, so adjustments to their diet and exercise habits may be necessary. Males become better companions and better neighbors when neutered.

Pets that live in remote areas or are confined to their homes and yards must also be altered. They are capable of escaping when motivated by the lure of a potential mate. Each year, the Shelter receives dozens of litters produced by such pets.

Veterinary care
It's becoming increasingly important to have all pets vaccinated against diseases which are prevalent in this area. Rabies vaccinations are required by law nearly everywhere and others are highly recommended. Even pets that are confined should be protected against disease.

All cats and dogs need to be wormed periodically. Some wormers are available over-the-counter and others must be obtained from a veterinary clinic.

Preventive measures and proper discipline can help to avoid injuries and diseases which can be expensive to treat. Immediate treatment may preclude complications which could cause inexpensive treatment to escalate into serious and costly problems.

Pet Adjustment
All pets need time to adjust to a new environment. The pet you have adopted has been abandoned or relinquished by its former owner. Adapting to the unfamiliar surroundings and routine of the Shelter has been stressful. Only limited information may have been available about your pet's past health, temperament and habits. Supervise your children and use caution when introducing your pet to other cats and dogs.

Returns and refunds
If evidence of a significant health or temperament problem arises, you may return the animal within two weeks of adoption for a refund of fees or an exchange for a new pet. (Note that the Shelter reserves the right to refuse a second adoption when an animal has been returned for exchange.)

Before you think of returning an animal, please allow some time for your pet to adjust to strange people, new routines and unfamiliar surroundings. Most adjustment problems can be resolved with patience.

If you do conclude that you and your pet are incompatible, please return the animal to the Shelter. An exception may apply if an animal has bitten someone and may be subject to rabies quarantine or the law prohibits the transfer of ownership during the period of quarantine.

When you need HELP!
Resources can be found online, at pet shops, bookstores and libraries. Veterinarians also offer information and advice as well as local obedience classes. If you have any questions or need advice regarding your new pet, please call the shelter at 208-265-PAWS (7297).