Adoption
Adopting a pet from the Animal Service Center (ASC) is both easy and inexpensive. Bringing home a new friend can be a very rewarding experience, and we are glad you are interested in finding a pet for your home. Listed below are the steps for adopting a pet from the ASC, downloadable forms for adopting, a form for if you are leaving a pet with us, and for transfering a pet to an animal welfare group or a placement partner.
Also, be sure to stop by one of our Adoption Outreach Booths to peruse some of the many foster pets also available for adoption.
Steps To Adoption
Step 1 - Find the perfect pet for you
You can either stop by the ASC and view all of our adoptable pets the old fashioned way, or you can use our Online Kennel to preview our selection prior to arrival, write down its ID number, and bring it with you to the ASC. Either way, we are bound to have a furry friend just waiting to be matched up with you and your family.
Step 2 - Fill out the application
A completed application is required prior to going home with your new friend. But why waste the day away filling it out once you get here? Go ahead and download the adoption application (PDF), print it out, and bring it with you to the ASC to save yourself some time. You will also be asked to sign an adoption contract, and you can preview that contract here (PDF).
Step 3 - Taking home your new pet
And there you have it. You will be asked to pay a $50 adoption fee for cats and dogs (only $10 for rabbits) to help cover costs for medication and staff services. If the pet has yet to be spayed or neutered, it will be transfered to a veterinarian of your choice first (where you will be responsible for the costs associated there). Many vets actually charge much less than standard fees for this service, and you can take a look at the local vets list online. After that, the pet is yours and your home has a new family member.
Adoption Reminders
During the adoption process you were given many instructions and reminders which oftentimes are easily forgotten in the excitement of adopting a new pet. Please read the following reminders:
- Carefully read your contract
You are now responsible for proper care of your pet and for having it spayed or neutered (if not already performed) before the date designated on your contract. - Do not give your pet away
If you can no longer keep it, but know someone who is interested in adopting your pet, please contact the Animal Service Center and the contract can be transferred to a new owner. If you do not know someone interested in your pet, by contract you are to return the pet to the Animal Service Center and we will try to find it a new home.
If any of the following situations occur, call the Animal Service Center as soon as possible: (850-891-2950)
- If you relocate to a new address.
- If your pet becomes lost, stolen, or dies before spay/neutering was performed.
- If surgery must be delayed for medical reasons.
- If for any reason you cannot obtain treatment for your pet.
Leaving a pet with us?
Sometimes a pet/owner relationship can go sour, or circumstances beyond your control force you to part with a loving pet. We do understand here at the ASC, and if you are dropping off a pet to be placed for adoption, please download and fill out this pet history form (PDF) and bring it with you to the ASC. This form will help us better place it in a new home.
However, realize that not all pets brought to the ASC actually find new homes. This is why it is so important to ensure your pets are spayed or neutered to help reduce the pet overpopulation problem.
Transfers
Not all pets adopted from the ASC go directly to homes. Some are saved by special welfare groups or placement partners. For these types of adoptions, we have both a transfer policy (PDF) and a transfer application (PDF) available in downloadable format. Please use these documents for this type of adoption.