Before you bring them home
Set yourself up for success.
Adopting a pet is one of the best decisions you can make. A little preparation goes a long way toward making it stick.
Vet Care
Every animal that leaves our shelter is spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations. That said, we recommend scheduling a check-up with your own vet within the first couple of weeks. They'll establish a baseline, set up a preventative care schedule, and get to know your new pet. Regular vet visits catch problems early — and they build a relationship that matters when something urgent comes up.
Exercise
Every animal has different energy and different needs — a mellow senior cat and a two-year-old Lab are very different companions. When you come in, our staff will tell you everything we know about each animal's personality, activity level, and quirks. We genuinely want to find the right match for your lifestyle, not just place an animal. If you're active, we'll help you find a dog who can keep up. If you want a lap pet, we've got plenty of those too.
Training
A new home is a big change for a shelter animal. They're smart and adaptable, but they need time and consistency to learn the rules of their new environment. Starting training early — even basics like sit, stay, and where to sleep — builds trust and helps them settle in faster. Positive reinforcement works best. Many dogs who come through our shelter have never had a stable routine, so patience in the first few weeks makes a real difference. Our staff can point you toward local trainers and resources if you need support.
Cost of Care
Adopting a pet is a long-term financial commitment, and we want you going in with clear eyes. Beyond food and supplies, plan for annual vet visits, dental cleanings, heartworm and flea prevention, and the occasional unexpected expense. Emergencies happen. A pet savings fund — even a small one — can make a stressful situation manageable. If you're unsure about the costs, talk to us before you adopt. We'd rather have that conversation than see an animal returned. We're here to help you figure out if the timing is right.
Ready to find your match?
Come visit us during shelter hours and we'll walk you through the animals we have available — and help you find the right fit.