Adopting an animal from the RCHS is a simple process. After you see an animal on-line or in the newspaper, we invite you to visit with them in person and learn more about them through our Adoption Books and talking to staff members. After you select an animal whom you are interested in adopting, you will be asked to fill out our Adoption Questionnaire. Please be prepared to provide the following pieces of information:

• Your veterinarian’s name and phone number.
• Evidence of homeownership (i.e. mortgage stub or tax bill) or your landlord’s name and phone number.

Please note that we may not be able to reach your veterinarian on weekends so bringing as much paper work with you as possible will be best.

We ask for this information to ensure that we are adopting animals into permanent homes where the current animals have been in to see your veterinarian within the past 12 months for a wellness exam and where, if you live in a rental property, the landlord allows pets. Research shows that this information helps animals to stay permanently in new adoptive homes.

Please note that the RCHS does not hold animals pending adoption approval, i.e. while processing landlord or veterinarian checks. Sometimes animals may be adopted but are still at the shelter for a short period of time following adoption. For example, when a new owner cannot pick up the animal immediately, or the animal is scheduled for spay/neuter surgery and will be picked up from vet clinic, or the owner is picking up supplies before returning for the animal. In these cases, the animal’s cage or kennel will have a sign stating “I am going to my new home soon; please consider one of my friends at the shelter.” Any exception to this policy must be approved by the Director of Operations or Executive Director.

For potential dog adopters, the interactions between dogs and cats are so frequently dependent on context that we feel placement recommendations such as “No Cats” may be unnecessarily restrictive and cause dogs at the shelter potentially to miss out on loving homes.  We are therefore not advising potential adopters on the suitability of a shelter dog living with cats but rather will focus on giving you recommendations to make the introductions and adjustment period safe for all.  In the event that we witness a dog displaying distinct and widespread fixation or aggression to cats or can confirm such behavior, we will not place that dog in a home with cats.  For all other dogs, we will leave the choice and responsibility up to you.  Please bear in mind that certain breeds are genetically programmed to have “high prey drives” and may be more likely to harass, chase and harm a cat.  Do your homework!

Similarly, the interactions between dogs and children are highly specific to the circumstances of any situation.  The interactions often depend on much, or more, on the child’s behavior and maturity level than the dog’s.  However, we can only judge based on the dog and factors we take into consideration include:  a successful history of living with children or not, a dog’s tolerance to handling and interference with his own agenda, whether the dog has a “hard” or “soft” mouth, specific aggressive behaviors such as growling over food and toys, the dog’s physical size and strength, and any interactions with children we observe.  Because safety is our highest priority in making recommendations about what age the children in a potential home must be, we are always conservative in setting an age requirement; please take the time to read the individual profiles of any dog you may be interested in to learn what our age requirements are.  The shelter staff will expect that you are informed of this requirement for any dog that you “see” online.  It is a sad fact that many dogs who end up in shelters are dogs who may have missed being adequately socialized and trained.  These dogs take an amount of patience and tolerance that a young child doesn’t possess.  There are times when we make an exception to the written requirements based on our ongoing knowledge of a dog in the shelter; these exceptions will be made only by the Director of Operations or the Executive Director.

RCHS adoption screening goals are designed to find permanent placement for RCHS shelter animals. Typically, college students experience many changes in their living situations which precludes their ability to make a lifetime commitment to an animal. Consequently, RCHS does not adopt to college students. If you have questions about this policy, please speak with the Director of Operations or Executive Director. Exceptions for non-traditional students may be made.

The Rutland County Humane Society is responsible for placing our animals into the most appropriate homes possible. This responsibility may result in the denial of an adoption at the discretion of the Director of Operations or the Executive Director.

Are you thinking about adopting a puppy?  If so, click here for helpful and informative information.

Click here for the Dog/Puppy Adoption Application.  Click here for the Cat/Kitten Adoption Application.

Please come visit the animals!

Please click here for directions if you’d like to come visit the animals at the shelter.