LAKE COUNTRY SPCA
ADOPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
FACTS ABOUT ADOPTING SHELTER ANIMALS

Have you ever adopted a shelter animal before? YES ☐ NO ☐
What is your primary reason for adopting an animal?
☐Companion ☐Guard dog ☐Hunting ☐Other Click here to enter text.
Animals are accepted from all sources including previous owner, stray, abandoned or homeless. Some animals have lived in abusive or neglectful circumstances and will need both training and time to help them.
Although we screen both medically and behaviorally every animal that is placed here, certain types of problems will not demonstrate themselves until the animal is in a home situation or a specific period has lapsed (as in the incubation of certain viruses). There is always some risk in adopting any animal from a shelter. Click or tap here to enter text.[please initial]
Shelters bring out extremes in animals, and so it’s difficult to judge them based on that first meeting. If an animal is cowering in the corner or barking/meowing ferociously when you meet them it doesn’t mean they don’t like you, they are scared!!
Give them time to adapt. This is one of the most important things to keep in mind to give both of you the best chance of making the adoption a success. The first few days (or even weeks) might not be smooth sailing. Every animal reacts to being in a shelter differently, but it’s a stressful situation for just about every animal. Your pet may be jumpy when you bring them home, or they may be shy and reticent about interacting. They may whine, or pace, or have accidents, or they may just sleep and sleep. Your pet is coming from a shelter, where there’s a different routine and set of rules. It typically takes about a month for an animal to fully relax and start to adapt to new routines. Experienced adopters will often tell you that they didn’t really see their pet’s true personality emerge until they were home for a few weeks, or even longer. Try and maintain routines and training during this early period, and it’s likely your pet will settle in beautifully.
When an animal is in a home for a while some behavioral issues may arise (like separation anxiety, chewing, hiding, etc.). Are you prepared to handle these issues? YES ☐ NO ☐
Ease into it. Try to keep in mind that most animals will need an adjustment or decompression period as they settle in their new home. In those first days, experts advise being as calm and relaxed as possible (which may require a one-on-one chat with your kids before the pet arrives), as well as limiting visitors -- your family are going to be anxious to play with a new family pet, but now is not the time to host meet-and-greets with the neighborhood because this may only heighten the anxiety for your pet.
It’s important to make sure that you commit to the responsibilities of owning an animal and make sure that you’re in it for the life of your pet. AGREE ☐DISAGREE ☐
Take into account work obligations, the size of your living space, your appetite for walking, training, and possibly grooming. If you work long hours and find it hard to break away during the day, a puppy is probably not for you because of the amount of time and constant attention they demand.
When adopting a puppy are you aware that the cute little 5 pound puppy is going to grow to be a 50+lb “puppy”? YES ☐NO ☐ They are more destructive at an older age. Also, State Law requires that when you adopt an animal under the age of 6 months you will need to get the animal spayed/neutered and you will have to pay the cost yourself. The SPCA will, however, refund you $100 when you show proof that you have had the animal spayed/neutered.
We have an obligation and desire to adopt our animals to “Forever” homes and not be brought back to the shelter.
Do you wish to continue with this adoption? YES ☐ NO ☐
How long have you lived at your address? Click here to enter text.YEARS Click here to enter text.MONTHS
Residence Type? Click here to enter text.
Do you own or rent your home? OWN ☐RENT ☐
Are you planning to move anytime soon? YES ☐ NO ☐
If you have to move unexpectedly, would you make it a priority to find housing that accepts animals? YES ☐ NO ☐
If you rent, does your landlord allow pets? ☐
Do you have a fenced yard? YES ☐NO ☐
Have you had pets in the past? YES ☐ NO ☐
If so, what happened to them?
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Do you have pets now? YES ☐ NO☐
Are your current pets spayed/neutered? YES ☐NO ☐
Have you ever adopted from us? YES ☐ NO ☐
If so, do you still have this pet? YES ☐NO ☐
Are all adults in the household aware that you are adopting a pet? YES ☐NO☐
If you have small children, will they have adult supervision when the child & animal interact at all times? YES ☐ NO☐
Are you sure that this is the right pet for children in the home? YES☐ NO☐
How many hours per day will the pet, especially a dog/puppy, be left alone? Click or tap here to enter text.
Will the animal be kept indoors or outdoors when alone? Indoors ☐ Outdoors ☐
Where will your pet spend most of its time?
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When outside, how will your pet be housed or confined?
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We do not adopt a dog to anyone who will keep the dog tied out on a chain!
Where will the animal sleep at night? Click here to enter text.
Do you have a crate or safe isolation area for your pets in your absence? YES☐ NO☐
Would you adopt a dog that is not known to be housebroken? YES☐ NO☐
Do you plan on attending training classes with your new dog? YES☐ NO☐
Are you financially prepared to provide your pet with annual vet care? YES☐ NO☐
You understand that the adopter is responsible for all veterinary care and medical bills of the adopted pet? YES☐ NO☐
The animal may live 15+ years, what would you do with your pet if you could no longer care for them? Click here to enter text.
Are you aware of your community’s animal ordinances, leash laws, and number of animals you may own? YES☐ NO☐
Are you or anyone in your household allergic to animals? YES☐ NO☐
Are you physically able to care for an animal? (jumping, pulling on a leash, cats getting under your feet, etc.) ☐ ☐
What would you do if the dog grew to be bigger than you expectected
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Under what circumstances would you not keep the animal?
☐Divorce ☐Illness ☐Moving ☐New Baby ☐New Job ☐Housetraining problem☐ Chewing☐Barking ☐Digging ☐Allergy ☐Shedding ☐Grew bigger ☐Illness ☐Kids ignoring animal ☐Pets didn’t get along ☐Not obedient enough
☐OtherClick here to enter text. ☐Would not give up for any of the above
Have you ever rehomed a pet or surrendered it to a shelter? YES☐ NO☐
Would you allow an inspection of your home by a rescue volunteer? YES ☐NO☐

I hereby affirm that I have answered the questions truthfully. I completely understand the lifetime obligations I need to adopt the following animal:
Date: Click here to enter text.
Animal Name: Click here to enter text. Log#Click here to enter text.
Is this pet a: ¬¬¬☐Dog ☐Puppy ☐Cat ☐Kitten
Name Printed: Click here to enter text.

Signature: _________________________________________________________________