Adoption Policies

At the Healdsburg Animal Shelter we have made it our priority to make lifelong matches between homeless animals and compassionate humans, making Adoption the Best Option! In order to do that, we try to learn as much as possible about both our adoptable animals and you and your family so that the match will last a lifetime. Sometimes our questions may seem irrelevant or prying, but please remember that we are just trying our hardest to ensure that the adopted pet fits well into their new home.

Adopting a pet takes about 1-3 days depending on if the animal has all of its medical procedures completed. During this time we review your application, confirm that pets are allowed at your residence, and ensure that the pet you are interested in is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped and ready to go home! Click here for an adoption application to start you on your way!

In order to adopt a four-legged friend from the Animal Shelter, we ask the following:

• That the pet will be primarily a house pet. In other words, that the animal will be allowed inside the home to share their lives with their new family. From lots of experience, we’ve discovered that animals kept strictly outside oftentimes suffer from flea and tick infestations, foxtails, harbor abscesses, and other wounds that are allowed to fester--and sometimes they get just plain get lonely. We firmly believe that companion animals want to be full time friends, and we hope that you’ll think so too.
• That you present a California ID card or driver’s license showing your current address and that you are at least 18 years of age.
• That you have the knowledge and consent to welcome a new pet into your home, of all of the adults sharing your household.
• That, if you rent your home, you provide us with your landlord’s name and telephone number so that we may verify that pets are allowed.
• That all of your current pets are in good health, and are current on their vaccines and appropriate diagnostic tests (heartworm for dogs, and Feline Leukemia and AIDS for cats), and currently licensed in your jurisdiction.
• That, if you are applying for a dog and have a dog at home, your dog comes to meet the prospective new dog at the shelter before going home.
• That you assure us that no unnecessary or inhumane surgery will be performed on the adoptee; this includes no de-clawing of cats, no de-barking and no ear or tail cropping of dogs.
• That you understand that the Healdsburg Animal Shelter has the right to, and may deny your adoption application if we feel that the match is not in the best interest for the animal’s needs.
• That false or intentionally omitted information could deny your adoption application.