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.

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.

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

• 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"

• CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON "HOW TO HOUSE TRAIN YOUR ADULT RESCUE DOG"

• CLICK HERE FOR CRATE-TRAINING INFO

• CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HEARTWORMS

• CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON FLEAS
• CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON TICKS

• CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON WORMS (INTESTINAL PARASITES)

• 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)

• 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.

• CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON CAT DECLAWING

• CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT CATS AND MILK

• CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF COMMON CAT ILLNESSES

• CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON WORMS (INTESTINAL PARASITES)

• 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.)

• 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.

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.