P.A.W.S. Program
Pet Adoption is a Winning Solution!

The Ontario County Humane Society is a no-kill facility and, through our adoption program, we are dedicated to finding a home for every pet. To ensure that every resident at Happy Tails Animal Shelter is placed in the best home, we have the following policies and procedures that help us, help you when getting to know our shelter pets. Above all, thank you for considering adoption and thank you for choosing Happy Tails Animal Shelter!

Beginning your search

Adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment that comes with lots of love, joy, and responsibility. Being prepared is crucial to a successful placement and we recommend considering the following before you get started:

• Are you willing and able to support a pet their whole life by providing regular veterinary care, training, grooming, exercise, nutrition, enrichment, and eventually senior/end of life care?

• If you rent, are you able to have pets in the home or apartment? Have you discussed adopting a pet with your landlord and understand any additional pet fees?

• Are you at least 18 years old?

Ok, I’m ready!

Now that you’ve thought about what a big decision it is to adopt a new pet, and are ready for the commitment, you can start by speaking with a Happy Tails adoption counselor. Our staff will ask you about your household, lifestyle, and preferences, answer questions you have about specific pets, and recommend pets they feel may be a good fit for you. Please keep the following in mind while you look:

• Submission of an adoption application DOES NOT guarantee placement, reserve, or hold a resident. We are not able to hold residents.

• We do our very best to accommodate same-day adoptions but please allow at least 24-72 hours to process your application. Your patience is appreciated!

• In order to minimize stress in our K9 Wards, the dog areas are not open to the public. You may view our available residents online or in the shelter. We will do our best to accommodate walk in meet & greets, but you may be asked to schedule a separate appointment to meet animals outside of their kennel spaces.

• If you rent, please be able to provide a phone number where we can reach your landlord.

• After you’ve submitted your application, be sure to contact your veterinary office and let them know Happy Tails Animal Shelter will be contacting them.

• Some residents may require several visits and/or home visit with a staff member prior to adoption.

The process:

1. Check out our adoptable pets. Browse our available pets or stop by the shelter during our business hours. If you’d like to meet a resident outside of their kennel, or would like to meet a specific pet, we strongly recommend you schedule an appointment. We recommend you bring the whole family and we require children under the age of 18 to meet the pet prior to placement. If adopting a dog, we require a meet and greet with any dogs you already have at home. We are very flexible and will do our best to accommodate you during the scheduling process. Feel free to spend time with pets you are considering and you are always welcome to request a second visit.

2. Submit an application. Once you’ve found your perfect match, submit your application. You may also submit an adoption application at any time for pre-approval. Make sure to complete the application in its entirety! To avoid delays while processing your application, be sure to include a working phone number, your email address, a phone number where we can reach your landlord (if you rent), and you veterinary office used for current and/or previously owned pets. You will want to contact your veterinary office to let them know we will be calling. We do our very best to accommodate same-day adoptions but please allow at least 24-72 hours to process your application. Your patience is appreciated!

3. Get approved and celebrate! Once you’ve been approved, our office will contact you to schedule a pick-up date. On your scheduled date you will pay the adoption fee which includes vaccines, a physical, a heartworm/lyme test (for dogs) or FIV/FELV test (for cats), a spay/neuter, a microchip, parasite treatment, a follow up exam at participating veterinary offices, and any medical care that was necessary during the resident’s stay. Our staff will go over any medical paperwork, explain how the microchip works, answer questions, and offer advice for acclimating your new pet to your home and family.

After Adoption

Please stay in touch! An adoption counselor will follow up with former residents to make sure they are doing well in their new home but you are always welcome to reach out if your have questions, concerns, or comments. In case we forgot to mention it… we love photos and updates! For additional resources and advice, check out the information below:

Dogs

• How to make a new dog comfortable in your home.

• Introducing your new dog to other dogs.

• Welcoming a new dog to your home.

• How to introduce a dog to a cat.

• Tips for the first 30 Days.

Cats

• Welcoming a new cat to your home.

• Introducing cats and kittens to dogs.

• Introducing a new cat to your home with other cats.

• Cat adoption checklist.

• Tips for the first 30 days.

Area Training and Behavior Consultation

• Young Lion Training and Behavior, LLC

• Your Thinking Dog

• Critical Canine Development

• Tuxedo’s K9 Training Camp

• Bradford Dog Training

• Dog Educated