Pet Adoption Application

  • Greetings! We are overjoyed that you are interested in adopting a new pet from our organization!

    The application information is requested so that we can assist you in the selection of a new pet. The animal’s welfare is our foremost priority. The purpose of our application process is to help us determine if the adoption is in the animal’s best interest and to assist you in finding a pet most compatible with your family and lifestyle.

    This application is the first of 3 steps in our adoption process. Please read the following information before completing the application so you will fully understand our adoption process.

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  • As opposed to the traditional “first-come-first-serve” adoption practice that most pet adoption agencies employ, Parke County Animal Welfare Services Inc (PAWS) offers “Foster-to-Adopt” only. We have found through experience that immediate adoptions are not in the best interest of our pets nor is it in the best interest of the adopter. We realize that it does & should take a reasonable amount of time to make the decision of a lifetime commitment. Every pet is an individual with his or her own unique personality. It takes time, patience & consistency for your new pet to learn your routines and what you expect of them, just as it takes time for you to learn their special quirks and specific needs.

    Our Foster-to-Adopt policy allows you and your potential new pet to experience each other in your home environment without having to make an immediate decision and final commitment up front. We require adopters to pay a deposit (applies to dogs & puppies only; adoption fee for cats & kittens is due up front) and foster their potential new pet for a minimum of 30 consecutive days prior to finalizing the adoption. The pet may be returned at any time within the specified time-period and the adoption deposit (dogs & puppies) or fee (cats & kittens) will be fully refunded.

    After the foster period is complete and you have decided to make a lifetime commitment to the pet, you will then pay the remainder of the adoption fee (dogs & puppies) and the adoption will be finalized.

    For intact pets, the full adoption fee is required up front and the 30-day foster period does not apply; the adoption will not be finalized until the pet is spayed or neutered, even if the time period exceeds 30 days.

    Standard Adoption Fees (can vary by individual pet/age/health status):

    DOGS (6mo+): $125 ($50 deposit; $75 due after 30-day foster period)

    PUPPIES (under 6mo): $150 ($75 deposit; $75 due after 30-day foster period) *NOTE: if puppy is not yet spayed or neutered, the FULL ADOPTION IS REQUIRED.   

    CATS (6mo+): $35 (due up front)                

    KITTENS (under 6mo): $50 (due up front)       

    Our adoption fee includes:

    Spay or neuter
    First series of core vaccinations *if necessary* (FVRCP and rabies for cats; DHPP and rabies for dogs)
    Feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus testing for cats, and heartworm testing for dogs
    Deworming medication and flea/tick preventative
    nanoCHIP permanent microchip identification

    To be considered for adoption, you must:

    Be 21 years of age or older
    Have identification showing your current address
    Have the knowledge and consent of your landlord, and all adult household members (if applicable)
    Consent to a home visit
    Have an established account with a veterinarian that is in good standing
    Be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide proper care for a pet


    DISCLAIMER: Parke County Animal Welfare Services Inc (PAWS) reserves the right to refuse the adoption of an animal to anyone. No animal will be adopted to anyone who has an extensive history of losing, giving away or selling animals, or having animals that were injured or killed by moving vehicles. No animal will be adopted to prospective adopters who mislead or fail to provide accurate information on the Foster-to-Adopt Application or any other associated forms.

  • Foster-to-Adopt Application

  • Applicant's Contact Info:

  • Date*
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  • Date of Birth*
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  • Do you have a valid driver's license?*
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  • How did you learn about us?*

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  • Applicant's Household Info

  • Where do you currently live?*

  • *

  • If you live with someone, does the head of household own or rent?
  • Do all contributing members of the household know that you plan to adopt a pet?*
  • Are all contributing members in agreement with adopting?*

  • Does anyone in your household have a known allergy to animals?*

  • Renters:

    **Note: even if you are not the head of the household, but live with someone who rents, you must fill out this section.
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  • Does your lease/landlord allow pets?

  • Does your landlord require cats to be declawed?

  • PROHIBITED: Cosmetic / Elective Procedures for Cats & Kittens

  • You have been directed to this page if you selected "yes" to your landlord requiring cats and kittens to be declawed or if you selected "yes" to planning on declawing your cat or kitten.

    PAWS stands firmly against declawing as an elective cosmetic procedure. 

    Our policy on elective procedures for cats & kittens:

    "Under NO circumstance prior to or after adoption is a cat or kitten permitted to undergo surgical procedure(s) for cosmetic purposes; including but not limited to: declawing, etc. Such procedures will be automatic default of adoption agreement and breach of contract. PAWS reserves the right to remove the animal from adopter’s possession should a cosmetic procedure occur at any time. Cosmetic procedures are only permitted if it is necessary for the animal’s health and recommended by a licensed veterinarian."

    Click here to read The American Association of Feline Practioners (AAFP) declawing position statement

  • About Your Lifestyle:

  • How would you describe your lifestyle and activity level?*
  • How often do you travel or take vacations?*
  • Have you ever (check all that apply):*
  • If you are a smoker, do you smoke in the house?*

  • About Your Pets

  • Do you currently have any pets?*
  • Rows
  • Rows
  • Do you keep your pets on regular flea & tick prevention?*
  • Do you regularly deworm your pets?*
  • Have any of your pets ever had a serious parasite problem?*

  • Veterinarian Info

    Note: A vet reference is required. Please list your current or most recent vet. If you do not currently have a vet, you must establish an account with one prior to adoption.
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  • Adoption Questionnaire

  • Your Preferences:

  • I am applying to adopt a:*

  • Are you applying for a specific pet that we currently have up for adoption?*
  • Is this your first experience with a pet?*
  • Have you ever adopted a pet before?*
  • Do you have any preferences as to breed type, gender, age, size, length of hair, etc.?*

  • Pet Care Questions:

  • Are you willing to work through behavioral issues/quirks that may accompany a new pet who may have previously been mistreated, abused, or neglected?*

  • Are you willing to allow the pet several weeks to acclimate and "decompress" in their new home?*

    • Note: It is important to understand what "decompression" is. Although our animals reside in foster homes, rather than a stressful animal shelter prior to adoption, the same rules apply on allowing a new pet to acclimate to its new environment. CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON "DECOMPRESSION"

  • Dog / Puppy Adoptions Only

    *You must answer ALL of the following questions if you are applying to adopt a puppy or dog.
    Dog / Puppy Adoptions Only
  • Why do you want a puppy or dog (check all that apply)?

  • What energy level works best with your lifestyle?
  • Do you have a fenced yard?
  • Are you willing to house-train your new puppy or dog?
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON "HOW TO HOUSE TRAIN YOUR ADULT RESCUE DOG"
  • Do you plan to crate-train your new puppy or dog?
    • CLICK HERE FOR CRATE-TRAINING INFO
  • Are you willing to take your new puppy or dog to obedience training classes if needed?
  • Are you familiar with heartworm disease, and its signs and symptoms?
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HEARTWORMS
  • Are you familiar with fleas, ticks and other external parasites?
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON FLEAS
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON TICKS
  • Are you familiar with intestinal parasites, and their signs and symptoms?
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON WORMS (INTESTINAL PARASITES)
  • Do you plan to keep your new puppy or dog on a monthy flea & tick preventative?
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON ANNUAL VACCINATIONS (risks of over-vaccination, which vaccines your pet really needs, and alternative options for keeping your pet protected from disease)
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HEARTWORM MEDS (risks of monthly heartworm meds and how you can forgo the expense with a healther, safer method of timed testing)
  • How will you keep your new puppy or dog confined to your property? (check all that apply)

    • CLICK HERE TO RATE YOUR DOG FOOD CHOICE

  • *ELECTIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES POLICY: Under NO circumstance prior to or after adoption is a puppy or dog permitted to undergo elective surgical procedure(s) for cosmetic purposes; including but not limited to: ear cropping, tail docking, etc. Such procedures will be automatic default of adoption agreement and breach of contract. PAWS reserves the right to remove the animal from adopter’s possession should an elective cosmetic procedure occur at any time. Cosmetic procedures are only permitted if it is necessary for the animal’s health and recommended by a licensed veterinarian.

  • Cat or Kitten Adoptions Only

    *You must answer ALL of the following questions if you are applying to adopt a cat or kitten.
    Cat or Kitten Adoptions Only
  • Why do you want to adopt a cat or kitten (check all that apply)?

  • Will your new cat/kitten be allowed outside?
  • Do you plan to have your new cat or kitten declawed?
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON CAT DECLAWING
  • Is cow’s milk good for cats and kittens?
    • CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT CATS AND MILK
  • Are you familiar with common feline illnesses (such as upper respiratory infection, etc.) and their signs and symptoms?
    • CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF COMMON CAT ILLNESSES
  • Are you familiar with feline intestinal parasites and their signs and symptoms?
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON WORMS (INTESTINAL PARASITES)
  • Are you familiar with fleas, ticks and other external parasites that affect cats?
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON FLEAS & TICKS
    • CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON ANNUAL VACCINATING (risks of over-vaccination, which vaccines your pet really needs, etc.)
  • Do you plan to keep your new cat or kitten on a monthly flea & tick preventative?
    • CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF TOP RATED 2019 CAT FOODS

  • *ELECTIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES POLICY: Under NO circumstance prior to or after adoption is a cat or kitten permitted to undergo surgical procedure(s) for cosmetic purposes; including but not limited to: declawing, etc. Such procedures will be automatic default of adoption agreement and breach of contract. PAWS reserves the right to remove the animal from adopter’s possession should a cosmetic procedure occur at any time. Cosmetic procedures are only permitted if it is necessary for the animal’s health and recommended by a licensed veterinarian.

  • Adoption Applicant's Endorsement

  • By providing my signature below, I certify that the information I have provided is correct and any misrepresentations of the facts will result in my losing my privilege of adopting a pet from Parke County Animal Welfare Services Inc (PAWS). I understand that this application is the property of PAWS and they have the right to approve or deny my request to adopt a pet. I also understand that this application is not a guarantee of adoption.

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