Adoption FAQs

---

Take a look at our adoptable animals by visiting our Adoptable Dogs or Adoptable Cats page and click any image of a dog or cat to submit an electronic adoption application. 

Do not see an animal you are interested in but still want to submit an application - simply complete a general dog or cat application. These applications are available on the Adoptable Dogs and Adoptable Cats pages.  

Once your application is submitted, please give us 3-4 business days for processing and then call our office to follow up (707) 485-0123. 

**In addition to the dogs or cats you are interested in, we ask you to be open for other recommendations. Our staff know these animals well and are dedicated to helping you find the right fit for your home and lifestyle. 

Once you find the pet you are ready to adopt, our team will work with you to complete the process and provide any educational consults that may be needed. 

In most cases, yes. If you and your pet are a good match, we actually prefer for you to take your new pet home that day so that he/she can start being part of your family! It’s a good idea to have some things ready for your new pet such as bedding, food, bowls, and toys before you officially adopt a pet. That way, when you fall in love with the right dog or cat, you will be ready.

Sometimes, our adopters are unable to take home their dog or cat the same day. This can be due to a few different factors, including requiring meet-and-greets between resident dogs, additional training requirements, and/or medical reasons. Our adoption team will let you know during the process if an additional meet is necessary before taking home your new family member!

Yes, your new pet will be current on all vaccinations and treatments at the time of adoption. Post adoption, the responsibility will fall on you to keep your dog or cat current on vaccines.

Every pet adopted from HSIMC will be spayed or neutered prior to adoption. 

In many cases, yes, as long as you live within Mendocino County or make special arrangements with our adoption team and sign up for our foster to adopt program. To take home your pre-adopted pet you will pay a non-refundable $50 hold fee. At the time of adoption, the $50 hold is applied to the adoption cost.  

You can begin the adoption process before your pet is spayed or neutered; this is known as Foster to Adopt. However, before your pet can be legally transferred to your ownership, your pet must be spayed or neutered and the adoption processes must be complete.   

Once an animal has been adopted, you will need to pursue veterinary care with a private veterinarian as HSIMC cannot continue to provide medical care. However, it occasionally happens that an animals has not been in our care long enough for health issues to become apparent. If you believe your recent adoptee is unwell, please contact our staff within 7 days of adoption and let us know what is going on, and we can advise you on how to proceed.  

Our amazing staff is here to help! Please check out our Post Adoption Resources page for more information. 

If, for any reason, an adoption does not work out, the pet must be returned to HSIMC.  

Please call the office at 707-485-0123 or email dogteam@hsimc.org or catteam@hsimc.org to begin the return process.  

Please specify the reason you are returning your pet so that our team can assist you as quickly as possible. 

Please be advised that this return will not be effective immediately and that our team will work with you to answer questions and provide next steps.

If you are having behavior concerns that you hope to resolve, contact dogteam@hsimc.org or catteam@hsimc.org or call the office at 707-485-0123. 

We offer lifetime behavior support for all of our adopted animals and would love to work with you to keep your pet in your home!