Adoption Policies
The goal of Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, Ltd. is to place pets in suitable, compassionate, permanent homes. Therefore, we strictly follow the requirements listed below.
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No person under the age of 18 may adopt a pet.
No person under the age of 18 may adopt a pet.ØAll adults living in the household must have knowledge of and consent to the adoption.
All adults living in the household must have knowledge of and consent to the adoption.ØAll animals in the adopter’s household must be spayed or neutered prior to taking home the new pet.
All animals in the adopter’s household must be spayed or neutered prior to taking home the new pet.ØAll potential adopters must complete an Adoption Questionnaire, as well as a Cat or Dog Questionnaire, which will then be reviewed and processed by a member of G.L.A.A.S. staff. G.L.A.A.S. does not approve adoptions on a first-come, first-serve basis. Adoption approval is based on what is in the best interest of the pet.
All potential adopters must complete an Adoption Questionnaire, as well as a Cat or Dog Questionnaire, which will then be reviewed and processed by a member of G.L.A.A.S. staff. G.L.A.A.S. does not approve adoptions on a first-come, first-serve basis. Adoption approval is based on what is in the best interest of the pet.ØAll adoptions will be held for a minimum of 24 hours to check landlord, veterinarian, and personal references, confirm home ownership, and to ensure that impulse decisions are not being made. This 24-hour hold may only be waived at the discretion of the Shelter Manager.
All adoptions will be held for a minimum of 24 hours to check landlord, veterinarian, and personal references, confirm home ownership, and to ensure that impulse decisions are not being made. This 24-hour hold may only be waived at the discretion of the Shelter Manager.ØHSUS guidelines read “Puppies and kittens should be at least four months of age before being placed in homes where there are children under six years of age. Health and humane authorities agree that a young child usually cannot be expected to handle a puppy or kitten properly. Mishandling is likely to result in injury to the animal, the child, or both.” For this reason, the Shelter Manager may require a visit from the whole family before approving the adoption.
HSUS guidelines read “Puppies and kittens should be at least four months of age before being placed in homes where there are children under six years of age. Health and humane authorities agree that a young child usually cannot be expected to handle a puppy or kitten properly. Mishandling is likely to result in injury to the animal, the child, or both.” For this reason, the Shelter Manager may require a visit from the whole family before approving the adoption.ØAdoption fees are to be considered a donation, and are therefore not refundable. The Shelter Manager will evaluate exceptions on an individual basis.
Adoption fees are to be considered a donation, and are therefore not refundable. The Shelter Manager will evaluate exceptions on an individual basis.ØAdopters of unaltered animals must pre-pay for the sterilization surgery with a veterinarian before the time of adoption.
Adopters of unaltered animals must pre-pay for the sterilization surgery with a veterinarian before the time of adoption.ØMisrepresentation of information on the Adoption Questionnaire may be reason for denial of adoption.
Misrepresentation of information on the Adoption Questionnaire may be reason for denial of adoption.Exceptions to the above policies are made at the discretion of the Shelter Manager.
This policy revised and effective January, 2010.
Open Door Policy
The Green Lake Area Animal Shelter is an organization that seeks to provide aid and shelter for all companion animals in need. No animal will be turned away due to age, health, behavior, lack of space, or the ability of the surrendering owner to pay a fee.
This is also an organization that seeks to place as many animals as possible in loving homes. Because of this, every effort will be made to schedule incoming animals so that euthanasia need not be performed to make space for new arrivals. Staff will work with other shelters, breed rescue groups, available foster homes, or the pets owner may be asked to wait to bring the animal to the shelter. If no other arrangements can be made and/or the animal is in immediate need of shelter, the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter will abide by its open door policy, and the animal will be accepted.
Policy effective April 1, 2005
Heroes & Underdogs
The Green Lake Area Animal Shelter is proud to introduce our Heroes and Underdogs Program. This program involves offering dogs for different adoption fees based on their needs and/or adoptability. We may ask a higher adoption fee for a shih tzu puppy for instance, while offering a senior lab mix at a greatly reduced price. The shih tzu puppy then becomes the Hero for the Underdog senior lab mix.
All dogs adopted from the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter are spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and have been on heartworm and flea+tick preventative. We also offer a free bag of food and a free 30 day health insurance policy with your adopted pet.
Each dog will be evaluated as an individual when determining what adoption fee we will ask. Our general guidelines are as follows:
Some small, pure, or rare breeds $175
$175Puppies 9 months or under $150
$150Adult and/or mixed breed dogs $90
$90Senior or Special Needs dogs$35
$35When looking at prices, it is important to remember two things. First, we spend between $125 and $300 (and sometimes much more!) on each and every pet we place up for adoption, including cats, for whom we often get no adoption fee whatsoever. Adoption fees, while an important part of our budget, do not come close to meeting our expenses. Second, if you acquire a dog from a source other than GLAAS (or another shelter), you would have to complete all vaccinations, spay or neuter surgeries, etc., at your own veterinarian. The costs involved could easily exceed $300-$400 or more. In addition, adopting a dog from a shelter saves a life.
This program becomes effective August 25th, 2008.
GLAAS/PetFixer Training Services
Training services will be offered by Janine Rubeck, ‘Pet Fixer,’ through the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter. Payments for training services will be made directly to Janine Rubeck. All expenses incurred through this program will be the responsibility of Janine Rubeck.
Dog training services are conducted in the owner’s home. Sessions can last between 45 minutes and three hours, depending on several factors, but the average session is two hours. The fee is $30 per session. For appointments in excess of a ten mile radius from the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter, a 50 cent per mile surcharge will be added to the regular session fee. For multiple dog households, an additional $10 per dog will be charged in addition to the regular session fee.
Cat behavior consultations will be offered at no charge. Home visits or in-person consultations will be offered as needed and billed accordingly (see fee schedule for dog training). If the client wishes to pay for cat consultation services, they may make a donation to the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter.
The Board of Directors of the Green Lake Area Animal Shelter endorses this training program. There are no expenses or fees for GLAAS. Any contributions made to GLAAS are at the discretion of the client, and given as general donations.
Accepted and approved March 8, 2010.
Euthanasia Policy
We have a responsibility to evaluate every animal we make available for adoption. Every effort will be made to solve behavior problems or look for placement through other shelters or rescue groups before the decision to euthanize is made. Some of the factors used when considering an animal for euthanasia may include:
Surrender information, such as a history of aggression, or significant behavior problems
Age
Health
Breed, as it relates to any other issues, such as aggression
Registered bites
Temperament test results and behavior history while at the shelter
Length of time at the shelter, as it relates to deterioration of the animals mental health and behavior problems
Significant or severe aggression toward other animals
Illnesses or diseases that jeopardize the health of the rest of the population
Injuries, when the advice of a veterinarian determines euthanasia is best
In cases of known or suspected rabies exposure, the animal will be handled in accordance with state law
Orphaned puppies or kittens unable to survive without a nursing mother, when no same- species foster mother is available
Animals determined to be vicious or dangerous under state and local laws will be euthanized
All cats testing positive for FeLV or FIV will be euthanized. All cats suspected of having FIP will be euthanized.
All feral cats will be euthanized, unless an acceptable TNR program is in place
A committee including any staff members, the shelter manager, and/or a veterinarian will make euthanasia decisions. A veterinarian will be consulted on matters of physical health for the determination of feasible treatment. The committee will meet no less than once weekly to maintain a physically and mentally healthy population.
Policy effective April 1, 2005.
Adoption Auditions
GLAAS Foster-To-Adopt Program
The pets offered through this program may have quirks or eccentricities that have prevented them from finding a permanent home. The purpose of the ‘Adoption Auditions’ program is to offer potential adopters the opportunity to spend some time with one of these future celebrities in their home before offering them a permanent role as a family member.
The goal of this program is to encourage potential adopters to take a second look at the older cat, or the dog on a special diet, or the pet that just needs a little more TLC to become a star.
