Frequently Asked Questions and Other Adoption Details

How much does it cost to adopt an animal?

The adoption fees are listed on our Adoption Center Page.

Why shouldn't I get a "free to good home" dog instead of adopting?

This table compares the estimated costs of getting a "free to good home" dog compared to a well-prepared animal from the Heart of America Humane Society:
	"Free"	Heart of America Humane Society
Initial Cost	$0	$120
Spay or Neuter	$75 - $300	Included
Rabies	$15 - $25	Included (if >13 weeks)
Distemper vaccine Parvovirus vaccine Parainfluenza vaccine	$25 - $50	Included
Bordetella	$5 - $15	Included
De-worming	$5 - $10	Included
Heartworm Test	$15 - $25	Included If >6 months)
Flea/Tick Preventative	$10	Included (seasonal)
Heartworm Preventative	$10	Included
Final Estimated Cost	$160-$445	$120

Since September 2004, Heart of America Humane Society has a policy to only release cats and dogs to their new owners after they have been spayed or neutered.

Why must the animals be spayed or neutered?

Millions of animals are euthanized every year. Heart of America Humane Society cannot send out animals to reproduce and contribute to this tragedy. Spaying or neutering shelter animals is also MANDATORY because it is a state law.

What if I don't get my animal spayed or neutered?

An un-spayed female that is left to breed will produce 67,000 animals in 6 yrs between her and her offspring.

When should my animal be spayed or neutered?

Private veterinarians generally prefer to wait until the animal reaches 4-6 months old, but low-cost spay neuter facilities commonly and safely perform the procedure as early as 8 weeks of age.

Since a veterinarian must examine the animal within 10 working days from the date of adoption, how do I choose a vet?

If you do not already have a vet or have not been referred to a vet by a friend or family member, Heart of America Humane Society does not make it a policy of recommend vet services. You may be able to get a recommendation from one of our volunteers, but this recommendation is not an official Heart of America Humane Society recommendation.

What vaccinations should my cat or dog receive?

When you adopt your animal, your paperwork will include the vaccinations he/she has received. (If you lose your paperwork, you can call 1-800-384-3143 and we can look up the vaccination record.) Based upon this information, your vet will determine what vaccinations are required and when these should be administered.

• Your puppy may have received a Bordetella ("kennel cough") immunization at the shelter. Sometimes, the puppies will develop kennel cough following the vaccination. Sick puppies are never brought to the adoptions; however, a puppy that has been exposed to kennel cough can develop it after going to its new home due to stress. Kennel cough is very common and successfully treated with antibiotics.
• Cats are checked for feline leukemia by HAHS; kittens' mothers are checked as well.

Should my adopted cat or dog be checked/treated for worms?

Yes. On the first visit, your vet should perform a fecal check for worms.

Why is it so important to give my dog medication to prevent heartworms?

Heartworm infestation is fatal. In addition, the treatment is very expensive and also carries severe risks for the animal. Prevention is cheaper and carries no risks for the dog. HAHS checks all adult dogs for heartworms and starts all puppies on heartworm prevention if the animal is over 4 months old. Ask your vet about heartworm prevention medication.

What if my animal becomes sick following its adoption?

The animal should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. If the vet recommends returning the animal based on illness and the vet examination occurred within 5 working days of the adoption, then a refund will be automatically granted. All other refunds are at the discretion of the board of directors. In all cases, please let Heart of America Humane Society know if your animal becomes seriously ill. We might be able to recommend treatments or low cost vets and, if the animal had litter mates, we will notify their owners about the problem.

What if I default on or violate the adoption agreement?

Heart of America Humane Society may use judicial process or any other legal means to seek return of the animal or to recover all costs of enforcing this contract, including court costs. If HAHS seeks liquidated damages against the adopter in a court of law, the animal's value is set at $400.

My pet isn't "adjusting";what should I do?

Every adopted animal requires some time to adjust to his/her new surroundings. Give it some time. If after a while you feel the cat is having serious adjustment problems, we have volunteers who may be able to help you and your animal. Call 1-800-384-3143.

What if my pet develops a behavior problem or needs obedience training?

Heart of America Humane Society is fortunate to have volunteers who can offer advice about behavior problems. Call 1-800-384-3143 or check some do's and don't for dogs here.

What if I no longer want or can't keep my adopted animal?

Call 1-800-384-3143 for information about returning the animal.

Can I give/sell my adopted animal to someone else?

No. Call 1-800-384-3143 for information about returning the animal.

What if I or a member of my family is allergic to my adopted animal?

You may return the animal but no refund will be issued.

What if after trying several methods for introducing my other household pets to my adopted animal they still don't get along?

You may return the animal but no refund will be issued.

What kinds of things do volunteers do?

Visit our volunteer page for details about volunteer activities.

How can I join HAHS?

A membership application form is included here on our Web site.