Thinking of getting a pet?  There are millions just dying to meet you this very second.  Literally.  

 

Many of these pets originally belonged to people who weren't ready for the responsibility of pet ownership.

 

Other adoptable pets arrived at a shelter because their owners couldn't keep them any longer, for a host of reasons.

 

Saving a loving animal can be so much more rewarding than buying a puppy from a store or a breeder. 

 

Looking into the eyes of your loving pet, with both of you aware that you have probably saved each other, is an experience that by far transcends anything you might feel when purchasing an animal from a pet shop or breeder as if it were a branded consumer product.

 

The pets we rescue may be in temporary foster homes or boarding facilities, depending on our resources at any given time. All cats are tested negative for FeLV (feline leukemia virus). All dogs and cats are fully vaccinated, and neutered or spayed.

 

Adopting a pet is a commitment; and in most cases, one that was not honored by those who had these wonderful animals originally. Because our responsibility is to the animals, in the adoption process we will need to ask you some questions, and we encourage you to ask questions about the animals as well. We do retain the right to refuse an adoption if we think there is an incompatibility or your current personal situation is not appropriate for adopting a rescue.

 

Since every adoption is not the same, neither is the process. Below is a general outline for what you might expect in adopting a pet from us:

 

First, we will inquire about some basics: prior experiences with pets, what type of home environment any given pet would be entering - whether you rent or own, what kind of building, landlord / board approval requirements, children, other pets, lifestyle, activity levels, etc. We will also want to know things such as your age, employment, and what kind of pet you are seeking.

 

Typically potential adopters will call with a specific pet in mind. We will need to make a determination if these two goals are realistic, and if not we have a moral obligation to discuss whether we think these two are aligned given your current situation. Many happy adoptions have come from another dog we have recommended rather than the one inquired about, as our experience in successful placements and lessons learned from failed adoptions has guided us well over the years.

 

Moving forward to the second stage, we would schedule an introduction to the pet and, if appropriate request an application to be filled out, schedule a home visit, and make the proper reference and credit checks.

 

Finally, we would arrange a time for you to pick up your new companion as well as collect the adoption fee. We then remain a resource for you as you and your companion settle into your new life.

 

Our pets are not for sale, but we do request a contribution of $100 for cats and $125 for dogs. These contributions help defray the cost of veterinary exams, testing, shots, micro-chipping and neutering, and are far less than the actual costs we incur in caring for these animals. Should you decide, for any reason, to return the animal to NYCA within the first 30 days, one-half the adoption fee can be refunded. After 30 days, the fee is non-refundable.

 

Please know that animals need time to adjust to a new home. Remember that most of our animals were once family pets before they ended up at the stressful kill shelter. They have then either gone to a foster home or a boarding facility, where they have again had to adjust to a completely new and different life from the one they once led. They will need some time to adjust to your home and their new surroundings. We will always take the animal back or work with you to place it in another good home if, (after a period of adjustment), the adoption doesn't work out. We require that you call us rather than give the animal away to someone or take it to the shelter. Whenever you adopt a companion animal from us, we will always be happy to answer all your questions and give you advice.

 

If there is already a cat or dog in the home, we will help you with the introductions. We try to place cats that enjoy the company of other cats in a home where there is feline companionship. Remember that most of our cats are in foster homes with other cats and we believe that they get lonely and bored without the company of their own kind, just like people do. Kittens must be adopted out with another kitten or to a home with another young cat. But we also have cats who would be happy to be the only cat in your life.