Adopt an Animal

  Our adoption fees

• Dogs $95
• Cats $75

Even though we lose money on every adoption, we strive to keep our adoption fee at an affordable price. Vaccine and medical costs have increased, but our adoption fee has remained the same despite this cost increase. The adoption fee helps cover the following:

• Spay / Neuter surgery performed by Asheville's Humane Alliance Spay / Neuter Clinic
• First Set Of Vaccinations 
• 24 Hour Pet Watch Microchipping ($45 value)
• De-worming
• Heartworm Test (dogs over 6 months)
• Feline Leukemia & FIV Test (cats)
• Free Initial Examination from participating local vets
• One month free pet health insurance through Shelter Care
• 10% off initial purchase at Pet Place
• Free "Training Your Shelter Dog" DVD ($29 value) OR
• Free "Your Adopted Cat" DVD ($29 value)
• $30-off Companion Obedience Course coupon with John Quy , Dog Trainer
  

All of animals deserve loving, permanent homes. At Watauga Humane Society, we do our best to ensure our animals find the best possible homes by screening potential adopters.

View animals currently available for adoption:
Dogs | Cats | Puppies | Kittens | Other

Screening Potential Adopters

We have a two-phase screening process for potential adopters; Informal Counseling and Completing an Adoption Application .

During the Informal Adoption Counseling phase, we determine the type of pet the potential adopter is looking for and try to find a suitable match. During this phase we answer any questions about the animal. This phase might also involve a "cat scan" (testing a dog to see if it is okay around cats).

Next, the potential adopter fills out an Adoption Application . The application serves a dual purpose. First and foremost, it is intended to make the potential adopter think about the responsibility and commitment involved in adopting a pet. Depending on the animal's age, this is often a 15 to 20 year commitment. We want people to consider what having a pet involves, especially in regards to moving or other major life changes. Training and caring for an animal can be very time consuming, and veterinary bills can be very expensive. The second purpose is to give us a better idea of the potential adopter's lifestyle, and if it would be suitable for the particular animal.

After the application is approved, the adoption can occur. The animal can be adopted on the same day if it has been spayed or neutered. Otherwise, the animal can be placed on hold with a deposit, and the adoption paperwork will be completed after the surgery.

Adoption Policy for Renters

If you rent your home and you would like to adopt a cat or dog, bring your landlord's telephone number or a copy of your lease so we know that you are allowed to have pets. We must talk to the homeowner before approving an adoption.

If you are going to move in the future, you also need to plan for the animal, and move only to pet-friendly housing. The number one reason that animals are turned into shelters is because people are moving. We don't want to adopt an animal to someone who might return their pet just because they are moving. Adopting an animal should be taken seriously; expect a 15 year commitment for a puppy, and a 15-20 year commitment for a kitten. When you adopt an animal, it is for the animal's lifetime.

We will not adopt animals to renters without landlord approval. Why? Because we want ALL of our animals to go to permanent homes when they leave our shelter. The most common reason for surrendering an animal to a shelter is because pets are not allowed.