How to Adopt
Our Adoption Policies
Below are the basics of adopting from MWHS. If you have any special concerns or requirements, please email us at mwhspaw@yahoo.com or call the shelter at 508-875-3776.
To adopt an animal from our shelter you must:
- Be 21 years of age and have photo ID.
- Be able to afford veterinary care and emergency medical treatment for your pet should it become necessary.
- Provide verification of home ownership, landlord's consent if renting, or bylaws if living in a condo.
- Provide current health records for animals already in the prospective home.
- Our adoption process includes both landlord approval for rental/condo applicants and a satisfactory vet check of current or previous animals prior to animal(s) leaving our shelter.
- Landlord approval may be obtained via a phone call or by providing written authorization on letterhead or by providing copies of lease or condo agreements.
- In order to ensure that a telephone vet check can be done promptly, please call your vet in advance to let them know they have your permission to release information to MWHS. (Some vets will not release this information without your approval.)
- Alternatively, you can bring copies of vet records for your current or previous animals that document regular and appropriate veterinary care.
- MWHS adopts kittens in pairs unless there is already another cat at the residence. Sometimes kittens in a litter will be particularly bonded to one another, and we may require those kittens to remain together, even if there is another cat in the household.
- MWHS reserves the right to conduct in-home visits.
Our Adoption Process
- Complete our adoption application. This can be done at the shelter, or you may download the form, complete it and bring it to the shelter with you. You also have the option of having your application previewed prior to coming to the shelter by emailing it to us at mwhspaw@yahoo.com.
- Participate in the adoption interview at the shelter with an adoption counselor. The discussion helps us understand your expectations and environment so we can assist you in finding the cat(s) that will be a good fit. The interview is our best assurance for a successful adoption. We do what we feel is in the best interest of our cats and reserve the right to decline an application for any reason.
- Spend time at the shelter with the cat if a possible match has been made. The decision to adopt should not be made lightly, as the cat(s) will be with you for years to come. We prefer that all member of the family take part in the selection process and we encourage you to come back and visit again if you have the slightest uncertainty. It is stressful for an animal to go to a new home only to be returned to the shelter.
- Review all paperwork with an adoption counselor regarding care of the cat you are adopting.
- The cat(s) must leave the shelter in an approved cat carrier. You may purchase a carrier as well as other cat supplies from us at the time of adoption.
- Your adoption counselor will provide suggestions and guidance to help you determine the best way to transition your cat(s) to his/her new home and will provide on-going telephone assistance if needed.
Download MWHS Adoption Application (Word Doc 126 KB)
Adoption Fees
Kittens: (6 months or less): $150 each | two kittens $275
Adults: $125 each | two adults $225
- Feline leukemia & FIV blood test
- Spay/neuter (or *free spay/neuter certificate at our participating vets)
- Rabies vaccine, (*must be older than 4 months to get this vaccine)
- FVRCP (distemper) vaccine (*kittens require a series of 3)
- Flea/tick/ear-mite treatment
- Deworming
