Thank you for completing our adoption application!
We want you to build a relationship with your new pet, based on trust and commitment, just as much as your potential cat does. The animal deserves it, you have promised it, and our shelter expects it. Sound firm? We think so…but our mission is not only to find simple homes for our cats; our mission is to find loving homes for them. And we take our mission very seriously.
Here are some reminders of things that are needed in our adoption process. We expect all of our potential adopters to be proactive in reading over our adoption process and what is expected. This is your responsibility to complete:
We must meet the entire family. This includes room mates if they also live in the household. It’s hard to pick a family pet when the whole family isn’t there. Some pets react differently to children, to men, to women, to older people than they do anyone else. Some animals (even kittens) gravitate to children or men or women…others may shy away! What would happen if you brought a pet home and the pet hid under the kitchen table and growled at your kids and hissed at your husband? Its not fair to bring that pet back… but if you had your whole family here… we could see that WHEN YOU WERE HERE and realize that's not the appropriate home for the pet. Please understand this is a big decision and the whole family should be allowed to make this decision together. (This is the reason our shelter doesn’t allow gift adoptions) Families with children MUST have ALL children present for a meet and greet . This is for YOUR safety as well as the safety of OUR cats!
You must have a valid picture ID. We generally look for adopters to be at least 25 years or older. Although this is a flexible rule, so if you are younger and you think that you are in a point of your life where you can support and make a lifetime commitment to an animal, then we will consider younger applicants on a case-by-case basis. :)
If you own your home: Proof of home ownership (mortgage statement or property tax proof, or Deed).
If you rent from a management company or leasing company: you will need to provide a copy of a leasing agreement stating that pets are allowed on company or management letterhead. Handwritten letters will NOT be accepted!!!!
If you did not submit the needed rental or home ownership information on the adoption application, you may email it to [email protected] or bring it by in person to the shelter during our normal hours Tuesday-Saturday 10am-2pm. We are closed to the public on Sundays & Mondays.
Other things that we consider:
Declawing: Declawing a cat is more than removal of the cat's nail. Cats' claws are part of their toe bones. The procedure known as "declawing" is the surgical removal of the entire end of the cat's toe, chopping off the bone and cutting through the attaching ligaments and tendon. A more accurate term would be "de-knuckling". Veterinary experts report that the lack of these joints impairs the cat's balance and can cause weakness from muscular disease. Declawing also makes a cat feel defenseless and can affect their personality, making them skittish or nervous biters. In rescue work, we see many declawed cats that have been given up by their owners. Why? Because these cats still had behavioral problems that were worsened by not having their claws. For this reason, we will not adopt any of our cats into a home that will consider declawing our cats. It is also something that is in our adoption contract that adopters sign that they will not do to their Cat Corner cat. Give him a scratching post and teach him to use it. Trim your cat's nails on a regular basis. And, of course, talk to your vet or cat-owner friends about ways to "train" your cat to exercise its natural instincts in non-destructive ways. A squirt bottle is a great way to teach a cat not to scratch on particular surfaces. We urge adopters that are insistent on declawing to please look into the product called Soft Paws. This is a fake nail which is not sharp at the tip, which fits over your cats claws. It is sold in pet stores and veterinarian clinics. And if you are adamant about having a kitty without claws, why not adopt a previously declawed kitty?
Cat vs. Kitten: Many people who decide to adopt a new feline for their family think they should start with a "clean slate" by choosing a kitten. Many people like the idea of watching their pet grow. What most people don't realize, however, is that caring for a kitten is a lot like caring for a baby. Young kittens need almost constant supervision. You must kitten-proof your home from common household dangers - electrical and computer cords, knickknacks, household cleaners, drawers, window screens, toilet bowls, your feet, and other pets can place a kitten's safety at risk. Young children move quickly and like to hug pets. Kids can accidentally hurt a small kitten, which might bite or scratch if it's frightened. The right adult cat, on the other hand, is more likely to tolerate children and less likely to be injured. Senior citizens are often unprepared for a kitten's energy level and would actually get more enjoyment from the company of a calm adult or senior cat. Kittens are often underfoot and can cause even a sure-footed young person to trip or stumble, injuring both kitty and friend. Kittens have endless energy. Expect your kitten to spend its nights scaling your drapes and running up and down your stairs and across your countertops. Rarely will a young kitten sleep at the foot of your bed. Furthermore, kittens grow quickly, becoming nearly full size by six months of age but often continuing kitten behaviors for much longer. An adult cat, however, is generally much calmer and less likely to get into trouble. And, because an adult cat is fully developed, you know what you're getting in terms of size, appearance and personality. For example, you can tell whether or not it is the type to sit on your lap. Depending on your own age and lifestyle, you may be happier with an adult cat in your family. If you have a quiet lifestyle, work outside the home, or have children under the age of six, give serious thought to adopting an adult cat or two. The best part about adopting an adult or senior cat? You're literally saving a life. Because most people want to adopt kittens, a cat's chances for adoption decrease with age. Most of these cats make wonderful pets when someone gives them a chance. The Cat Corner is a no-kill shelter. The cats here will remain here, or in foster care, until they are adopted. Although their odds are improving, many older cats brought into shelters are euthanized. By adopting an adult cat from any shelter, you are helping to make room for another, who might otherwise be put to death.
Adoption Package & Fee: Our adoption fee helps to offset the services that we have provided for your newest addition. Your adoption fee also acts as a donation to help support our organization as a whole, allowing us to continue our efforts to rescue and re-home cats in need of our help. Please see the list below of all the minimum services that each of our cats have received:
Senior cats (8+ years) get a full senior blood work panel completed
Behavioral assessment
Transition cat/kitten food
Information and questions answered
To adopt one of our cats or kittens, the adoption fee is $120.
Regular adoption discounts offered:
Bonded pair discount: one adoption fee of $120 for both cats ($60 each).
Adopt two cats or kittens at the same time: the adoption fee for the second is $60.
Adopters age 62 and above: the adoption fee for any adult cat (8 years and above) is $80. If adopting two adult cats (8 years and above) at the same time, the adoption fee for the second is $40.
Adoption Payment: The adoption fee is paid at the time of the adoption finalization. We do not take "deposits" on the cats.
The shelter does NOT accept checks. We DO ACCEPT Visa, MC, Discover, or cash or ATM cards with the Visa/MC logo.
We take our adoptions seriously, as we expect you will. Because your commitment is expected to be for a lifetime, there is NO TRIAL PERIOD and NO REFUND for any reason other than terminal illness or severe aggression confirmed by a certified behaviorist.