what are the adoption fees?
Puppies: $300; Adult dogs: $250
Seniors and special need dogs: $200
Cats/kittens: $125
What does the adoption include?
All kinds of great stuff! When cats and dogs arrive, they are examined by one of our participating licensed veterinarians, tested as needed for heartworm (dogs, 6 months+), FeLV/FIV (cats), and will receive the age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, spay/neuter voucher if needed.
How long will it take for my application to be approved?
Minimum of 2-3 business days. However, we are an almost 100% volunteer-run organization, so please be patient with us if it takes a little longer.
Do you have age requirements for adoption?
Our priority and focus with every adoption is finding the best possible life for each cat and dog in our care. We do consider the age of the adopter in our placement decisions.
We want our animals to be in homes that are stable for them and can provide for their needs. For this reason, we do not generally adopt to individuals under the age of 21 or those who are undergraduate students.
Some of our smaller breed dogs and younger kittens may not be as successful in homes with young children or high activity levels.
The average life expectancy of individuals in North Carolina is between 78 and 80 years old. A domestic house cat is expected to live between 13-18 years, and dogs range between 8 and 13 years.
With the animal’s best interest in mind, we do expect our adopters to consider the quality of the animal’s entire lifespan when they make the serious commitment of adoption. We would encourage seniors to consider adopting adult dogs or cats and making a solid plan for the possibility that their pets survive them. We consider our adoption process to be individualized and relational, so we invite you to join us in the process of finding the right fit for our animals and your household.
Why does my pet need to be spayed/neutered?
Spaying and neutering help stem the tide of overpopulation. Many of the animals that end up in shelters are the result of accidental breeding by free-roaming, unaltered pets. The more pets spayed or neutered, the fewer dogs and cats will have to be destroyed. It does not make animals fat and lazy, harm their health, or hurt their personalities, as some people mistakenly believe. Spaying not only reduces the stress and discomfort females endure during heat periods but also eliminates the risk of uterine cancer and reduces the chance of mammary cancer. Neutering makes males far less likely to roam or fight, urinate in the home, and helps prevent testicular cancer.
Why do you do a home visit (dogs only) before allowing an adoption?
AARF volunteers try to place animals in a home environment that is suitable for the individual needs of each pet. The size and temperament of the animals are carefully considered, as are the needs and constraints of their prospective families. The home visit provides an opportunity to introduce the new dog to pets already in the home and gives the new owners an opportunity to prepare for their new dog.
Why might I be turned down on an adoption application?
When reviewing applications the AARF volunteer takes into account many factors including the animal’s age, size, temperament, and the living environment that you have to offer. Vet references are checked to be sure they are in compliance with AARF policy. If the prospective adopter has not had previous pets, personal references are requested. After the home visit, if the AARF Adoption Counselor feels that the home environment isn’t a good fit for that particular dog, they may suggest you choose a different one.
What happens if my first choice gets multiple applications?
Multiple applications for the same dog/cat are common. For that reason, the applicant is encouraged to put two choices on the form. AARF attempts to find the best match for that animal and sometimes the counselor will need to make a decision. If your first choice is adopted by someone else, you may be eligible to adopt a different one.
