Once you have successfully completed the adoption application process, yes, we schedule “meet and greets” prior to finalizing any adoption. We require this as part of the adoption process to ensure that your dog or dogs and the shelter dog will be compatible. We want a healthy and happy blending of the animals.  Incompatibility can create unnecessary and unhealthy stress on the animals.

We’ll also ask that all the family members come and meet the animal, too. There are rare instances where a dog just doesn’t like someone in the family possibly due to a past experience with another man or woman or child in their life history.

No. However, we want to ensure that the adoptive family will provide proper exercise and spend time with their animal.

Currently, most of our animals are to be adopted as inside pets. When providing outside time for an animal, we ask that the owner be with the animal or provide a safe location where the animal can be left to exercise with minimal supervision. Animals should not be left for prolonged periods of time outside without food, water or shelter nor should they be tethered for extended periods of time.

Outside adoptions will only be considered based on the breed of the dog or cat and require a home inspection to determine the suitability of an outside adoption.

Unfortunately, no, we are unable to do this due to the volumes of calls we get on a daily basis. However, our website is a “live” website which means as soon as an animal is moved up for adoption, it will be listed on the site.  And, if the animal is adopted, it will be removed from the site as soon as it is adopted.  This gives you a quick and up-to-date listing of all of the great animal available. Check out our adoptable pets section here.

Yes, please visit our clinic page.

You fill out an application either in person or online.  Please allow 48-72 business hours for processing.  A background check is completed.  An adoption worker will be in contact with you regarding your application.  If you have other pets, we may require a supervised “meet & greet.”  All family members should meet the new potential pet.  The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, vaccines, testing, and microchip.  Adoption fees are subject to change without notice.  There is an adoption contract that must be signed.  If the adoption does not work out, the animal must be returned to us.

Stray animals are held for a minimum of 5 days.  After 5 days, the animal belongs to WCHS, to adopt out, transfer to another no kill organization, etc.  Owners of lost pets may reclaim them during normal business hours.  There is a $10.00 charge per day for care we provide, as well as payment for any vaccines we gave to prevent diseases at our facility.  A valid identification and vet records/photographic documentation as proof of ownership must be presented to us before the animal is released.

Call the local Humane Societies and Animal Control to file a lost report.  Notify your veterinarian.  If your missing pet is microchipped, contact the microchip company to file a lost report. Most reports can be filed online.  Walk around the area where your pet was last seen, at different times of the day & night, calling the pet’s name.  Make lost posters with the pet’s photo, when lost, and your contact information.  Distribute to neighbors & post in the area the pet was last seen.  Offer a reward.  Post on social media lost and found sites.

Contact local Humane Societies/Animal Control to file a found report.  Take the animal to a vet or Shelter/Animal Control to scan the animal for a microchip, which will identify the owner.

Check the neighborhood where you found the animal to see if anyone can identify it.

Use social media lost and found sites to report the found animal.  Check local papers for lost animals.  They may also list found animals for free.

If you choose to bring the animal to WCHS, bring a valid ID.  You will be asked to fill out a found report as well, listing all pertinent information.

Before you release your animal to the shelter, ensure that this is truly the decision you want to make and no other options are available. You may have other friends or relatives who would want to continue to provide a loving home for your animal.

If you do decide to relinquish your animal, please call the shelter to discuss your pet and make an appointment.  As we are a no kill shelter, space is not always available, and we may ask you to work with us until space is available.

When you bring your pet in, please bring all medical records, papers, training records etc., and any other information regarding your animal.  You will need a valid ID, and need to complete an owner release form.  Such information is used to successfully re-home your pet.  There is a relinquishing fee which helps offset our costs.

Animals that enter the shelter that require veterinary care are triaged, and taken for care as soon as possible.  Animals whose prognosis is very poor and suffering are euthanized humanely by licensed veterinarians.

Strays turned into WCHS are on a stray hold for 5 days.  After 5 days, if the animal is not claimed, he/she then belongs to WCHS and is eligible for adoption.  They have a home with us until they find their forever home.

Call your local Animal Control during normal business hours, or the police in whose jurisdiction the suspected offense is occurring.  WCHS does not investigate animal cruelty or neglect cases.

• Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, cats can freeze, become lost or stolen, or be injured or killed.
• During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes choose to sleep under the hoods of cars, where it is warmer. Then, when the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed in the fan belt. To prevent this, bang loudly on the hood of your car and wait a few seconds before starting the engine, to give a cat a chance to escape.
• Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs frequently lose their scent in snow and ice and easily become lost. They may panic in a snowstorm and run away. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season.
• Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when she comes in out of the rain, snow or ice. Check her sensitive paw pads, which may bleed from snow or ice encrusted in them. Also, salt, antifreeze or other chemicals could hurt your dog if she ingests them while licking her paws.
• If you own a short-haired breed, consider getting a warm coat or sweater for your dog. Look for one with a high collar or turtleneck that covers your dog from the base of her tail on top and to the belly underneath. While this may seem like a luxury, it is a necessity for many dogs.
• Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold. Your companion animal could freeze to death.