Find the right pet for you

Before You Adopt

 Please note, if you are interested in an animal not yet available for adoption: As a courtesy, we can call you after, not before, an animal is made available for adoption. If you’re highly interested in a particular animal, it is your responsibility to check on the animal’s status through checking our website or calling the shelter. A courtesy notice is not a guarantee that you will adopt the animal and it does not mean we will be able to hold the animal for you without speaking to you first.
Choosing which pet to adopt is a big decision. We’ve put together some ideas of how to find your match and what to prepare for bringing your new friend home!

First, consider your lifestyle
• Are there other pets in the home? How will this new pet fit in? For dog adoptions, we encourage you to bring the other dogs in your home to the shelter to do a meet and greet to find out if everyone gets along.
• What about family members? Is everyone on board with the idea of getting a new pet? We encourage family members to meet the new pet at the shelter. What do you expect from a pet around your children, your grandchildren, or your neighbors?
• Does anyone have allergies or health issues that might be negatively affected by bringing a new pet into the home?
• What does your work situation and social life look like? How long will the pet be left alone each day? Some pets will be glued to your side, while others prefer their independence.
• What is your housing situation? Are pets allowed by your landlord or homeowner’s association? If so, what kinds and sizes?
• What about exercise? Some pets prefer to be your couch potato buddy, while others would only be happy if included in your marathon training regimen.
• Who will care for your pet when you go on vacation or travel for work? Here is a list of local pet care resources.

Once you know what your expectations are for a pet, share this information with an AVHS adoption counselor. We can tell you about the energy level and personality of each pet, so together we can help you find the fur-ever friend you are hoping for!

Don’t forget to consider cost. While it’s hard to know how much a pet will cost from year to year, the adoption fee is very small compared to ongoing expenses. These will include pet food, routine veterinary care, collars, ID, leashes, licensing (where applicable), supplies, and possibly even training and boarding. An estimate of dog expenses can be found at https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/dog-adoption/annual-dog-care-costs/ and for cats at https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/cat-adoption/annual-cat-care-costs/

Ready to go shopping?
It’s okay to wait until you’ve chosen a pet, since many
supplies will depend on the type and size of your new pet.

Supplies for Dogs:
• Food and water bowls
• Food (canned and/or dry)
• Collar
• Four to six-foot leash
• ID tag with your phone number
• Hard plastic carrier or foldable metal crate
• Dog bed
• Doggy shampoo and conditioner
• Nail clippers
• Canine toothbrush and toothpaste
• Brush or comb (depends on your pet’s coat length and type)
• Super-absorbent paper towels
• Sponge and scrub brush
• Non-toxic cleanser
• Enzymatic odor neutralizer
• Plastic poop baggies (biodegradable ones are best) or pooper scooper
• Absorbent house-training pads
• Variety of toys (a ball, rope, chew toy and puzzle toy are good starts)
• Variety of treats (such as small cookies, larger rawhides, etc.)
• Baby gate(s)

Supplies for Cats:
• Food and water bowls
• Food (canned and/or dry)
• Litter box and scooper
• Kitty litter
• Collar
• ID tag with your phone number
• Hard plastic carrier
• Nail clippers
• Feline toothbrush and toothpaste
• Brush or comb
• Super-absorbent paper towels
• Sponge and scrub brush
• Non-toxic cleanser
• Enzymatic odor neutralizer
• Variety of toys (toys including catnip are a favorite)