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If you are concerned about your pet's situation, if you are frustrated and thoughts of finding a new home for your family pet spring to mind, don't panic! There are several options:
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Adoption through SOHS
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Call (541) 779-3215, ext. 100. We will listen to you, provide you with tips and options, and if relinquishment seems the best option, we will schedule an evaluation appointment.
On the day of the appointment, bring the animal along with recent veterinary records. To help us understand your pet, please take some time to thoughtfully complete the appropriate Animal Surrender Profile questionnaire. After talking with you, examining your pet, and testing your pet's temperament, we may be able to assist you by matching the animal's personality with a deserving and responsible new home. The requested donation fee to SOHS for leaving your pet is $45 to $100.
Good First Impression
To help your pet attract the attention of an adoptive parent, we suggest you groom your animal before bringing it to us. Here are some other tips toward successful adoption:
Dogs
The most desirable dogs are:
- Bathed, free of parasites, and have trimmed nails
- Spayed or neutered
- Current on all vaccinations, with veterinary records
- Socialized with humans and other animals; friendly and easily controlled
Cats
The most desirable cats are:
- Well brushed (especially long hairs), free of parasites, and have trimmed nails
- Spayed or neutered
- Current on all vaccinations, with veterinary records
- Tested for feline leukemia and have veterinary record
- At Least 8 weeks old
- Socialized with humans and other animals; friendly and easily controlled
SOHS does not place any time limits on an animal's stay. A dog or cat may stay until a new home is found - even if it takes days, weeks or months.
Pets cannot be considered for adoption if:
- They have been attack-trained or have a history of biting humans
- They show aggressive or unsociable behavior during the administration of an accredited temperament test
- Veterinary examination determines that the animal is physically unsuitable for adoption
Please phone us before bringing these animals in for surrender.
If your Pet's status changes
If you want us to notify you if anything changes after you leave your pet with us, please request a Call Back at the time we take your pet. Possible changes in our evaluation of your pet's status could come from further physical or temperamental observation and it may be determined the animal is no longer suitable for adoption.
If you change your mind
If your immediate circumstances change and you wish to reclaim your pet, please call the Southern Oregon Humane Society (541) 779-3215, ext. 104, to discuss your pet's status and any veterinary care charges accrued. |
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Rescue Groups
The Southern Oregon Humane Society maintains good relations with many pure-breed and mixed-breed dog rescue groups. These groups are usually organized by people with in-depth knowledge of a specific breed. Rescue groups keep animals until they can be placed in loving, permanent homes. In some cases, breed rescues only work with animal shelters and may not accept pets directly from owners.
Be sure to find out as much as you can about the rescue group and always carefully screen a breed rescue organization before relinquishing your pet. You should make sure the current animal residents appear well cared for, that the group screens potential adopters, and that the group offers post-adoption support services. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
Advertising
Advertise through friends, neighbors, and local veterinarians first; then try the newspaper, if all else fails. Your chances of finding a good home are increased when you check references with someone you know. A carefully worded classified advertisement in your local or regional paper will work - it may take time, however.
Please do not give your pet away "free to a good home." You have invested time, energy, love as well as provided for basic needs and medical care. Asking a fee will not deter good families but may stop unscrupulous folks. Remember, shelters have adoption fees; ask for your shelter's fee scale to help determine what you should charge for your pet.
Ask Questions
Your work does not end when an interested caller phones. Do not be shy about asking questions. These are all questions that animal shelters ask prospective adopters in order to find the right match:
- Do they have children?
- What do they expect of this new pet?
- Have they had other pets? What happened to them?
- What do they expect to pay yearly for this pet's care?
- Where will the pet be during the day and evening?
Screen potential homes carefully:
- Will your pet get along with children?
- Is the family planning to keep the dog chained outside as a watch dog?
- Will the cat be kept only as a mouser?
- Does the family have a veterinary reference?
You might even want to visit the prospective new home in order to get a feel for the environment in which your pet will be living. Explain that the pet is part of your family and that you want to make sure she will be cared for properly and that you want to see how the animal responds to the new home.
Ask for a valid form of identification (preferably a driver's license). Record the number for your records and require the new owner to sign a contract stating the requirements of adoption on which both parties agree. As part of the contract, require the new owner to contact you if he or she decides at some point that they must give up the pet.
Always Spay or Neuter
Finally, have your pet neutered or spayed before he or she goes to the new home and be prepared to share all medical and behavior information with the new adopter.
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