Before You Arrive

• Prepare your home for a new pet ahead of time - most dogs can go home the same day.
• If you have a dog at home already, make sure it is up-to-date on all core vaccines.
• When you're ready for your meet, bring all human household members and any resident dogs along.
  • Be sure to bring a friend or family member who can stay outside with the resident dog.
• Prepare yourself for a longer wait if you come the hour before closing or on a Saturday afternoon.

When You Arrive 

• Fill out an Adopter Profile at the front desk and present a valid photo ID.
• Have a friend or family member stay outside with any resident dogs.
• An adoption counselor will share all we know about the dog before introducing you.
  • All human and canine household members will need to meet the dog at the shelter.
• If it is a good fit, in most cases the dog can go home the same day.
  • Dogs with behavioral or medical needs may require an additional meeting.
• If it is not a good fit, the adoption counselor will explain what they are seeing and will suggest a more suitable companion, if appropriate.

It's a Match!

• We will review the adoption contract and any waivers with you and collect the adoption fee.

• Your new pet is already:

  • Sterilized (spayed or neutered)

  • Vaccinated against rabies, kennel cough and distemper
  • Microchipped
  • Dewormed
  • Treated with heartworm and flea/tick preventative 

• Your new pet will be provided with:

  • A sample size bag of the food it has been eating

  • Martingale collar

  • 6-foot non-extendable leash

  • Microchip and rabies tag

  • Any current prescription drugs the pet needs

  • Instructions for allowing your pet to adjust to its new home and its behavior plan, if applicable

Going Home

• Lure the dog into your car rather than lifting, pulling, or pushing - a staff member will help if needed.
• This is an exciting but stressful time for everyone, so go straight home with your new pet - no stops.
• Keep visitors to a minimum for the first few weeks while your new family member adjusts.
• Be sure to follow the instructions your counselor gave you about introductions to resident pets.
• If you want to switch your pet's diet, do it slowly to avoid stomach upset.
• Get your pet established with a vet right away.
• Go to your municipal clerk and get your dog licensed.

Before You Arrive

• Prepare your home for a new pet ahead of time - most can go home the same day.
• When you're ready for your meet, bring all human household members along.
• Bring a species-appropriate pet carrier if you have one.
• Prepare for a longer wait if you come the hour before closing or on a Saturday afternoon.

When You Arrive 

• Fill out an Adopter Profile at the front desk and present a valid photo ID.
• An adoption counselor will share all we know about the pet before introducing you.
  • It is best if all human household members meet the pet at the shelter.
  • If a household member is physically unable to come to the shelter, discuss this with your adoption counselor.
• If it is a good fit, in most cases the pet can go home the same day.
  • Pets with behavioral or medical needs may require an additional meeting.
• If it is not a good fit, the adoption counselor will explain what they are seeing and will suggest a more suitable companion, if appropriate.

It's a Match! 

• We will review the adoption contract and any waivers with you and collect the adoption fee.

• Your new pet is already:

  • Sterilized (spayed or neutered) if species-appropriate

  • Vaccinated with age- and species-appropriate core vaccines

  • Treated with age- and species-appropriate preventatives

  • Microchipped (cats only)

Going Home

• Take it slow and let your new pet adjust at its own pace.
• If you want to switch your pet's diet, do it slowly to avoid stomach upset.
• If your new pet is a cat, provide one litter box per cat, per floor of the house, at a minimum.
• Get your pet established with a new veterinarian right away.
• Be sure to follow the instructions your counselor gave you about introductions to resident pets.

All animals need behavior training and enrichment to be good companions. Luckily for the animals at MHHS, they have an excellent team of behavior experts that works with them every day. From learning basic manners through treatment for problem behaviors like resource guarding, our team puts in the time to help these pets live up to their potential.

When you adopt a pet that has received specialized care from our Behavior & Enrichment (BAE) team, you will be given a behavior plan to follow to ensure the pet's continued success. It is important that you follow the plan, because the plan only works if you follow it, and it will help you and your new pet bond.

In addition to the behavior plan, pets from our BAE Program also come with extra support, such as:

• Multiple meets, if needed, before taking your pet home
• Three weeks of a fully supported trial placement, if needed
• Direct contact information for our behavior team
• Food, enrichment and supplies to help with the transition 

Every pet has behavior issues. We've just already identified them in these pets and can give you a head start on working through them!

Our CrossRoads Program places pets who have terminal diagnoses, but still have excellent quality of life, in homes with adopters who are willing to offer them all of life's finest things right up until the end.

If you are interested in adopting a CrossRoads pet, the first step is to come meet them at the shelter and learn more about their medical conditions and needs. Some CrossRoads pets can go home the same day, but if the veterinary team needs to demonstrate a care technique (for example, testing blood sugar, or giving insulin or fluids) you may need to make an appointment to pick up the pet at a later date.

The adoption fee for all CrossRoads pets is waived, as is the fee for humane euthanasia and private cremation when the time comes, so you can put all of those resources into showing them a good time!