No Kill Animal Shelter, Adopt a Pet, Pet Grooming, Sebastian, FL

OUR ADOPTION PROCESS

Q n A

Once you have visited our shelter and found your new family member you will be ready to sign your life away for your new pet!

You will need to fill out our Adoption Application as well as our Adoption Contract. The Adoption Application is two pages long and is used to gather information on you, your home life and how you plan on caring for your new pet. The Adoption Contract is a contract that you will sign agreeing to love and care for your new pet for the duration of the pets life. These forms help us to ensure that the pet will be living in a safe and nurturing environment.

The second step in the adoption process is the Home Visit. At this point the dog is brought to your home (we do not require home visits for kitties) to make sure he/she is suitable for your family. We look to see that everyone (children, other pets, etc.) will get along happily and that your home will be a safe environment for the new pet (i.e. home upkeep, fencing if needed, location). We typically leave the pet with you at the time of the home visit, so please be sure to have the proper supplies necessary to care for him/her at that time. If there is a match made in Heaven then you have a new family member.

Please refer to the QnA for more information. If you still have questions for us feel free to call or email.

Here at H.A.L.O. Rescue we test every dog for Heartworms, maintain monthly heartworm prevention for all of our dogs, and treat any dog in our facility that tests Heartworm positive. We do this to help ensure that your new pet enters your home Heartworm free. Please do NOT turn a blind eye to this deadly disease; maintain the monthly preventative. If you adopt a dog from H.A.L.O. Rescue, you may purchase Heartworm preventative from the shelter for up to the first year following the adoption. After that time your pet will be due for its annual vaccines. Take your pet to your vet to continue the Heartworm prevention medicine.

Q. What are your adoption fees and what do they cover?

A. Our adoption fees are $130.00 for dogs and $75.00 for cats. Adoption fees for other types of animals vary. Our adoption fees help to cover our costs for spaying/neutering, the rabies vaccine and county tag, puppy/kitten vaccines and microchip (dogs only). ANY EXTRA CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND GO TOWARDS FEEDING AND SHELTERING THE ANIMALS HERE.

Q. Exactly what vaccinations has my new pet received?

A. All dogs are vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza. Pets over 5 months old also receive their Rabies vaccine and county tag (dogs and cats). The Rabies vaccine is a Statewide requirement and you MUST register your new pet with your county. Please check the laws in your county regarding registration procedures and costs.

Q. Why does my new cat/dog have to be spayed/neutered?

A. Our goal at H.A.L.O. Rescue is to save as many lives as possible. Nearly 70,000 puppies are born in the United States every day. Only 25% of those puppies will find loving homes. Five million of them are euthanized in shelters every year. That’s one every 6.5 seconds. Decreasing the overpopulation of abandoned and abused animals is our highest priority. By spaying/neutering we are not only ensuring better health for your pet, we are also decreasing future accidental pregnancies, which causes the overpopulation.

Q. What if my puppy/kitten is too young to be spayed/neutered or to receive the Rabies vaccination?

A. We do not believe in premature alteration of young pets. When you adopt a puppy or kitten from H.A.L.O. Rescue you will be given a voucher that you will take to the vet when your new pet reaches maturity (usually around 5-6 months old). This voucher allows you to take your new pet to our Vet to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped (dogs only, if not done already) at no additional cost to you. It is important that you do not lose this voucher. If the voucher is lost you will still be required to have the pet altered and vaccinated but you will have to pay the full cost of the procedures at that time.

Q. When should I take my new pet to the vet?

A. Your new pet should be taken to the vet of your choice as soon as possible for what is often called a “well-check”. We have made every effort to ensure you a happy, healthy new pet. Unfortunately it is impossible to predict future health problems. If the animal is ill, and you are unable to incur the costs of veterinary care, please return the pet to this shelter.

Q. What happens if I am no longer able to keep my pet for any reason?

A. It is our sincerest hope that you and the new member of your family are a perfect match. If for any reason you are no longer able to keep your pet you may return the pet to us within 14 days from the date of your home visit and we will gladly refund your adoption fee (less a $25 application processing charge). If you cannot keep the animal for any reason AFTER the 14 days we do require that you return the pet to us, but we are not able to refund the adoption fee at that time.

Q. What are Heartworms and how do I prevent them?

A. Heartworms are a parasitic worm that can affect ANY dog, regardless of age, sex or habitat. A single mosquito bite can be lethal to your dog if a heartworm is transmitted. Heartworm is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it can takes months before symptoms become apparent. Heartworms live in the blood of a dog’s heart and adjacent blood vessels. They can grow up to 12 inches in length and live five to seven years. Adult heartworms living in the dog’s heart produce offspring, known as microfilariae, which circulate in the animal’s blood. When a female mosquito bites an infected animal it sucks out the blood containing the microfilariae. When the same mosquito bites another animal the infected larvae are transferred and the cycle begins again. Symptoms of canine Heartworm can include: difficulty breathing, coughing, fatigue, listlessness, weight loss and a rough hair coat. A simple bloodtest can verify the presence of Heartworms and an even simpler once-a-month treatment can prevent them all together. Some of the newer Heartworm preventatives also prevent Roundworms, hookworms and even fleas and ticks. Your veterinarian is the best person to advise you on which product and dosage is best for your pet.