Frequently Asked Questions

The Shelter practices an appointment based adoption process. This process has three steps:

Step One: Complete & Submit Online Adoption Application

We have set up an online adoption application that you must complete and submit. After we receive and process your online adoption application, we will contact you to do a phone interview.

Step Two: Participate In An Phone Interview

During this phone interview, Shelter staff will review your online application with you. Our staff will also ask you questions to help us determine what you are looking for so that we can better match your circumstances with our available animals. If your application is approved, we will also schedule an appointment to meet with some of our animals.

Step Three: Schedule An Appointment To Meet Our Animals

ONLY APPROVED APPLICANTS WILL BE ALLOWED AN APPOINTMENT. At your appointment, you can complete the Adoption Contract and, in most cases, take your new pet home. 

We make an emotional commitment to each dog in our care. We strive to ensure that each cat finds the proper family and that each family finds a cat that will match their lifestyle. For an adoption to be successful, you must truly understand the level of care and commitment required for a successful adoption. We have an obligation to ensure that the new relationship between your family and your new companion will thrive for a lifetime.

If you have small children or dogs in your home, we may require meet & greets to assure that the dog you have chosen will interact well with your children or other dogs that you may own.

We do reserve the right to make home visits with potential adopters to assure that your new dog will find a safe environment in which they can thrive.

We have a moral, ethical and legal obligation to ensure that the new relationship between your family and your new companion will thrive for a lifetime. Not just in any home, but in the right home for both the cat and each potential adopter. Sometimes that means having to say no. The Shelter reserves the right to decline any adoption application at any time and for any reason.

The adoption fee for a dog is $100. Adoption fees can be paid by DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD. Cash is not accepted at the Shelter. Adoption fees are non-refundable.

The Adoption Agreement REQUIRES that you take your new dog to a veterinarian for a wellness check within ONE WEEK of the adoption. It is your obligation to provide the Shelter proof of the wellness check. You will be provided with any medical records that the Shelter may have for your dog.

Under Indiana State Law and The Porter County Animal Control Ordinance, all of our adoptable animals must be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before they leave the shelter for their new forever home. If the dog you have adopted has not been spayed or neutered, the shelter will arrange for the dog to be spayed or neutered before they leave the shelter.