Adoption Information & Requirements
Due to a high volume of interest, we are unable to answer emails or return all phone calls regarding animals available for adoption. We understand that you are eager to welcome a new family member into your home and we are dedicated to finding the right fit for your family. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our adoption process, be sure to read all of the below information before contacting us.
ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS:
*Special considerations may be made based on individual animal needs and situations
ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS:
- Adoptions are completed on a first come and best-match basis.
- We cannot put an animal on hold for anyone over the phone.
- Whenever possible, we prefer all family members to meet the dog/cat before the adoption is final.
- If you have young children*, they must visit with the pet before an adoption will be made final. We feel it's important that everyone has the opportunity to interact with the prospective new family member prior to bringing them home.
- For the health of your newly adopted pet and current pets, we will only place new pets in homes where all of the resident pets are up-to-date on all routine vaccinations. You must bring proof of vaccinations or we must speak with your vet's office on the phone. In most cases, you will need to contact your vet in advance, giving them permission to release relevant vet record information. If your vet will not provide this information over the phone because you have not authorized it, the adoption process may be delayed or your application may be declined.
- Adopting applicants must be 18 years or older.
- If you rent, we require verbal landlord approval or written approval via your rental agreement. You must show this document or supply contact information for your landlord before interacting with any animal.
- If you own your home, we require proof of home ownership (tax statement, homeowner’s insurance statement, or mortgage statement) If you live locally we may be able to look this up online.
- We accept cash, Master Card, Visa, or American Express to pay the adoption fee. We cannot take checks.
- If you arrive near the end of our operating hours, please be aware that adoptions must be started no less than 30 minutes before we close or we cannot complete the adoption that day.
- FOR DOGS ADOPTIONS ONLY*: All existing household dogs must meet the dog that you are interested in adopting in order to ensure the safety and compatibility of the dogs.
- Our volunteers and staff do so much for the animals in our care. We reserve the right to give our staff, volunteers, and foster homes first 'dibs' on any shelter animal. In these cases, an animal may be adopted by a volunteer, foster home, or staff member before it is posted on our available pets listing.
- We cannot guarantee the breed, disposition, or adult size of any shelter animal. Our shelter software requires that we choose a predominate breed or breed mix for the animals. Visual breed identification in cats and dogs is unreliable so please note that for most of the animals, identified breed is often a guess. We encourage you to select your new companion by considering each animal's individual personality and pet qualities rather than relying on the breed or breed mix label.
- CAPE ANN ANIMAL AID RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE:
- To place cats or kittens in homes where previously owned felines have been known to be declawed.
- To place any dog, cat, puppy, or kitten in homes where previously owned animals have been known to be abused, neglected, given away, or abandoned.
- Financial responsibility for any veterinary expenses incurred after an animal has been adopted.
*Special considerations may be made based on individual animal needs and situations
SPECIAL ADOPTION CONSIDERATIONS
The very nature of rescue means we often find animals in our care that have extra veterinary, dietary, social, or behavioral needs. When listing our animals for adoption we single these animals out by selecting the “Special Needs” label and making mention of their condition or special needs within their personalized biography. These animals have either required more than the average amount of care prior to being listed for adoption and/or may require more care in the future. While we try to inform potential adopters about our animals’ needs, families interested in adopting a Special Needs animal should be prepared to do research on their own to understand the additional commitment to training, routine, or veterinary care these Special Needs dogs and cats may require.
REVISED 1/2022
Thank you for choosing to adopt! The Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter is accepting applications through our website. Adopters are welcome to submit an application from home at any time, or at the shelter during our open hours. There are several ways you may adopt a pet:
1. Apply online (from home)
2. Visit the shelter before submitting an application
For answers to other Frequently Asked Questions, please scroll down to view our Adoption FAQ
1. Apply online (from home)
- Applications are submitted through our website by clicking the "Submit Adoption Form" button.
- Meetings will be scheduled once your application is approved and is limited to 40 minutes.
- If you have pets at home, please be sure to contact your veterinarian office to release records to CAAA.
- Adopters are expected to be available for a meeting with their pet within 24 hours of submitting an application.
- Virtual adopters must be prepared to pick up their new pet within 24 hours of their meeting.
- Applications are processed on a first-come and best-match basis. If you have not been contacted to schedule your visit within 48 hours of submitting your application, it is safe to assume the animal has been adopted. Please see the FAQ below for additional reasons why you may not have been contacted.
- In-person meetings are not available for cats/kittens in foster homes.
2. Visit the shelter before submitting an application
- If you prefer to see pets in person before submitting an application, in-shelter adoptions are an option available during our open hours.
- Please note that visitors must check in with the front desk.
- In order to best serve our shelter pets, visitors, and potential adopters, the number of guests visiting inside our facility at one time is limited and visit time is limited to 20 minutes. Please understand there may be a wait to visit our animal areas during busier times.
- Applications are submitted online through our website and staff will review your application while you wait.
- If you have pets at home, please be sure to contact your veterinarian office to release records to CAAA, or bring a copy of current proof of vaccination for your pets.
- Be prepared to provide proof of home-ownership, contact information for your landlord, or a copy of pet policy in rental agreement.
- Applications are for available pets only. There are animals in-shelter that are not available yet or who may have an adoption pending. We do not hold animals that are not yet available, and there is no wait list for unavailable animals.
- Once your application is approved, you will be able to spend one-on-one with the animal you applied for.
- Adopters must be prepared to take their new pet home the same day.
- Please note: animals listed as 'foster' are not available to meet on a walk-in basis. Meetings for these animals are made by appointment once your application is approved.
For answers to other Frequently Asked Questions, please scroll down to view our Adoption FAQ
ADOPTION FEES
ADOPTION FEE HELPS OFFSET EXPENSES TO PROVIDE:
Pre-adoption spay/neuter surgery Portion of original rescue transportation fee Pre-adoption medical and behavioral care including: Health exam(s) Micro-chipping Age appropriate vaccinations Rabies certificate (16 weeks+) SNAP 4Dx IDEXX test for dogs 6 months+ Initial flea, parasite & heartworm preventative Leash and collar (while supplies are available) Small bag of dog food Code for Petco care pack* |
ADOPTION FEE HELPS OFFSET EXPENSES TO PROVIDE:
Pre-adoption spay/neuter surgery Portion of original rescue transportation fee Pre-adoption medical and behavioral care including: Health exam(s) Micro-chipping Age appropriate vaccinations Rabies certificate (16 weeks+) Feline Leukemia and FIV test Initial flea & parasite preventative Small bag of cat food Code for Petco care pack* |
ADOPTION FAQ
Q: Is X pet good with kids or other pets? Do you have any dogs that are good with cats or cats that are good with dogs?
A: We are unable to "cat test" our dogs or "dog test" our cats. If we know a pet has lived with other dogs or cats in a previous home or foster home, we will always list this out in the animal's bio. We can sometimes tell how a dog will react to children based on how they react to child volunteers and visitors. Your best chance at adopting an animal that has been proven to thrive with other animals in a home is to check out our animals in foster! Many of our foster families have other pets in the home.
Q: I am interested in adopting a pet that is in a foster home. How do I meet them?
A: For foster animals, adopters first fill out an adoption application for the animal they are interested in meeting. The application is the same as that for an animal in-shelter. Once approved, we will put you in touch with the foster family via email to set up a virtual meeting so you may ask questions about the animal and learn more about them from their foster family.
For dogs, if you are interested in proceeding we will then arrange for an in-person meeting at the shelter so you may interact with the dog before deciding if you would like to complete an adoption. If you choose to finalize the adoption following your in-person meeting, you are expected to be prepared to take the dog home with you the same day.
For cats, due to the stress cats can feel from changing environments we do not offer in-person meetings prior to deciding whether or not you would like to adopt. Following your zoom call, we will set up a time for you to pick up the cat at the shelter and finalize the adoption.
Q: I am having trouble with the online application. Can you help?
A: If you have a friend or family member who can help you fill out your application, you may ask for their assistance. For in-shelter adopters, staff and volunteers can assist you in filling out the online application.
Q: I applied to adopt X pet, and now I don't see them on the website. Are they still available?
A: We are accepting up to 3 applications for each pet. When a pet receives 3 applications, they are removed from the website. Because we are approving applications on a first-come, best-match basis, there is a possibility that your application is not the first to be reviewed or may be incomplete. In the event that the first application does not move forward, we will then proceed with the second, and then third. In the event that we have a sibling available and you have indicated your interest in a sibling or similar animal, you may be contacted after the pet you applied for has been adopted about adopting a sibling. We appreciate your patience as we review applications ahead of yours.
Q: I applied to adopt X pet, and they are still on the website. Why haven't I been contacted about my application?
A: CAAA staff is unable to respond to every application that comes in for a pet, and incomplete applications, applications with incorrect information, and applications that are not a match for the applied pet will not be processed. Please check your applications to ensure they are complete and be sure to contact landlords, veterinarians, and references to inform them that Cape Ann Animal Aid will be contacting them.
Q: How do I know you've received my application?
A: If you received a confirmation email with your application responses sent to you, we have your application on file.
Q: Can I check on the status of my application?
A: Due to the volume of applications received, we cannot return calls or emails asking about the status of a particular application. CAAA staff is unable to respond to every application that comes in for a pet, and incomplete applications, applications with incorrect information, and applications that are not a match for the applied pet will not be processed. Please check your applications to ensure they are complete and be sure to contact landlords, veterinarians, and references to respond to phone messages.
Q: I saw a social media post about X pet, but don't see them on the website. Are they available?
A: In an effort to share all aspects of rescue work, we do sometimes post about animals who are not yet available. Puppies and kittens under 8 weeks are unavailable until they reach 8 weeks of age and have been medically cleared for adoption. Additionally, we sometimes post photos of pets who are very quickly adopted. It is possible that by the time you've seen a post about a pet, they have already received 3 applications or been adopted!
Q: I don't see any (dogs/cats) listed on your website. Do you have any available for adoption?
A: If you don't see any dogs or cats listed on our website, that doesn't mean there are none in the building. When our pets arrive at the shelter, they must wait first for 48 hours in isolation, where they are monitored for contagious disease. It then takes time to ensure all animals are up to date on their vaccines, have been spayed/neutered, and are ready to go to their new home. Animals are posted as they meet these requirements and are available. So, keep checking!
A: We are unable to "cat test" our dogs or "dog test" our cats. If we know a pet has lived with other dogs or cats in a previous home or foster home, we will always list this out in the animal's bio. We can sometimes tell how a dog will react to children based on how they react to child volunteers and visitors. Your best chance at adopting an animal that has been proven to thrive with other animals in a home is to check out our animals in foster! Many of our foster families have other pets in the home.
Q: I am interested in adopting a pet that is in a foster home. How do I meet them?
A: For foster animals, adopters first fill out an adoption application for the animal they are interested in meeting. The application is the same as that for an animal in-shelter. Once approved, we will put you in touch with the foster family via email to set up a virtual meeting so you may ask questions about the animal and learn more about them from their foster family.
For dogs, if you are interested in proceeding we will then arrange for an in-person meeting at the shelter so you may interact with the dog before deciding if you would like to complete an adoption. If you choose to finalize the adoption following your in-person meeting, you are expected to be prepared to take the dog home with you the same day.
For cats, due to the stress cats can feel from changing environments we do not offer in-person meetings prior to deciding whether or not you would like to adopt. Following your zoom call, we will set up a time for you to pick up the cat at the shelter and finalize the adoption.
Q: I am having trouble with the online application. Can you help?
A: If you have a friend or family member who can help you fill out your application, you may ask for their assistance. For in-shelter adopters, staff and volunteers can assist you in filling out the online application.
Q: I applied to adopt X pet, and now I don't see them on the website. Are they still available?
A: We are accepting up to 3 applications for each pet. When a pet receives 3 applications, they are removed from the website. Because we are approving applications on a first-come, best-match basis, there is a possibility that your application is not the first to be reviewed or may be incomplete. In the event that the first application does not move forward, we will then proceed with the second, and then third. In the event that we have a sibling available and you have indicated your interest in a sibling or similar animal, you may be contacted after the pet you applied for has been adopted about adopting a sibling. We appreciate your patience as we review applications ahead of yours.
Q: I applied to adopt X pet, and they are still on the website. Why haven't I been contacted about my application?
A: CAAA staff is unable to respond to every application that comes in for a pet, and incomplete applications, applications with incorrect information, and applications that are not a match for the applied pet will not be processed. Please check your applications to ensure they are complete and be sure to contact landlords, veterinarians, and references to inform them that Cape Ann Animal Aid will be contacting them.
Q: How do I know you've received my application?
A: If you received a confirmation email with your application responses sent to you, we have your application on file.
Q: Can I check on the status of my application?
A: Due to the volume of applications received, we cannot return calls or emails asking about the status of a particular application. CAAA staff is unable to respond to every application that comes in for a pet, and incomplete applications, applications with incorrect information, and applications that are not a match for the applied pet will not be processed. Please check your applications to ensure they are complete and be sure to contact landlords, veterinarians, and references to respond to phone messages.
Q: I saw a social media post about X pet, but don't see them on the website. Are they available?
A: In an effort to share all aspects of rescue work, we do sometimes post about animals who are not yet available. Puppies and kittens under 8 weeks are unavailable until they reach 8 weeks of age and have been medically cleared for adoption. Additionally, we sometimes post photos of pets who are very quickly adopted. It is possible that by the time you've seen a post about a pet, they have already received 3 applications or been adopted!
Q: I don't see any (dogs/cats) listed on your website. Do you have any available for adoption?
A: If you don't see any dogs or cats listed on our website, that doesn't mean there are none in the building. When our pets arrive at the shelter, they must wait first for 48 hours in isolation, where they are monitored for contagious disease. It then takes time to ensure all animals are up to date on their vaccines, have been spayed/neutered, and are ready to go to their new home. Animals are posted as they meet these requirements and are available. So, keep checking!
ARE YOU A VETERAN?
Discounted adoption fees may be available to veterans living in Massachusetts. Discount vouchers are available as funding allows and proof of veteran status must be provided; please see Adoption Counselor for more information.
Discounted adoption fees may be available to veterans living in Massachusetts. Discount vouchers are available as funding allows and proof of veteran status must be provided; please see Adoption Counselor for more information.
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*WELCOME TO THE FAMILY PETCO CARE PACK: Your adoption includes a code for a 'Welcome to the Family' care pack from Petco! Visit any Petco or Unleashed by Petco store and get valuable coupons for nutrition, toys, training, grooming products, cleaning supplies & more! Plus, Cape Ann Animal Aid receives credit for each pack, potentially leading to grant funding to help animals at Cape Ann Animal Aid. It’s a win-win for all and we thank you for your support! Visit your local store to redeem.
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ADOPTION SPECIALS
Dogs available for adoption for longer than expected become Extended Stay Club members and adopters receive additional perks with adoption.
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Super Senior cats are 6 years or older and have a waived adoption fee to help them find homes more quickly.
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Spirit Cats are extremely shy and not for every household. Occasionally reduced adoption fees may apply.
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Thank you to these local media outlets for showcasing our adoptable animals!
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