Adoption-Related Questions

How do I adopt an animal?

Adoptions take place at our shelter on 72 Lee’s Creek Rd. Our adoption fee for cats and dogs ranges from $125 to $150. This fee includes spaying or neutering, initial vaccines and flea treatment, a microchip, a free initial appointment from a Buncombe County veterinarian after adoption and one month of free veterinary health insurance. We will also provide a starter bag of Science Diet pet food, cardboard carrying case for cat adopters and informative literature and DVD to help make the adoption a success. All animals are spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter. 

When you arrive at the shelter you will be asked to complete an adoption survey.  This survey is a tool used to help match you with a compatible animal for your household. Once completed you may view the animals available for adoption.  After you have selected an animal, or animals, that you would like to visit with, an adoption counselor will meet with you during the interaction. Once you have decided on adopting, if the animal is already spayed/neutered then after some brief paperwork and payment you will be on your way with your new companion.  If the animal still needs to be spayed/neutered, he or she will stay for surgery and be ready for pick up in 2-3 days at which time the paperwork and payment will take place.

What preparations should I make before adopting an animal?

Before you adopt a dog or cat from the animal shelter, it is a good idea to outfit your home with certain necessities and to be prepared to provide veterinarian care for the animal. There will be an opportunity to purchase leashes, collars and other training equipment during the adoption.

If you are adopting a dog, you should purchase:
•    Dog food (at the shelter, we feed the dogs Science Diet; if you plan to switch to a       different brand, we strongly recommend mixing the new brand with Science Diet food for a few days in order to ease the transition and lessen stomach upset for your new pet)
•    Food and water bowls
•    Crate or baby gate to facilitate house-training
•    Pick-up bags or "pooper scooper"
•    Emergency fund - money set aside for future health problems
•    Optional but wonderful: dog bed, chew toys (ask us about Kongs!), treats, and interactive toys such as frisbees, tennis balls, etc.

If you are adopting a cat, you should purchase:
•    Kitty litter pan and scoop
•    Kitty litter (we recommend starting with ordinary clay litter, as this is what we use at shelter; you may switch gradually to your preferred type if desired)
•    Cat food (at the shelter, we feed the cats Science Diet; if you plan to switch to a different brand, we strongly recommend mixing the new brand with Science Diet food for a few days in order to ease the transition and lessen stomach upset)
•    Food and water bowls
•    Emergency fund
•    Optional but wonderful: canned food, cat treats, interactive toys (feathered wands, etc.)

Do I need a license for my pet?

Residents of the City of Asheville must obtain a license annually for their dogs who are 6 months or older. The fee for a license is $10.00. You may obtain a license registration/renewal form at City Hall. If you reside in Buncombe County but not in the Asheville City Limits, you do not need a pet license, although we do encourage you to obtain an ID tag.

What vaccinations will my new pet have?

Dogs and puppies are given a distemper-parvo combination vaccine, an intra-nasal Kennel Cough vaccine, and a general de-worming.

Cats and kittens are given a Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis-Panleukopenia combination vaccine and a general de-worming.

All animals older than four months receive a rabies vaccination.

All animals are evaluated for and receive necessary flea treatment on entering the shelter.

What kind of animals do you have to adopt?

We have all types of dogs and cats and our population changes daily. A dog or cat can come into our shelter and be adopted in a matter of hours. It is best for you to come visit us in person and see the different pets available. 

Are the dogs already housetrained?

Some of our dogs are already housetrained and others are not. You should be prepared to train your dog upon leaving the shelter. All pets require some work and training. 

I'm not sure that my new animal will work out. Can I return it and get a refund/exchange?

Please understand that you are not purchasing an animal from us: you are adopting a lifelong companion. If you are not sure that your new companion will "work out" for any reason, please inform an adoption counselor and consider your decision to adopt very carefully. The adoption fee helps to cover our costs associated with the adoption process, including spay/neuter, vaccinations, medical tests, microchipping and caring for the animal during its stay. We are unable to return your adoption fee in the event that you change your mind about an animal; nor can we "exchange" an animal. We will however take the animal back.  

Although we take every precaution to ensure that your new companion will be healthy, some animals come into the shelter with an incubating disease; and there is always some risk of disease transmission when unrelated animals are housed under one roof. We try not to offer sick animals for adoption, and we test for diseases when feasible. If during the adoption process signs of illness arise and adoption counselor will discuss this with you.  We cannot guarantee that your pet will be disease-free. For this reason, we cannot pay vet fees associated with a sick animal or refund your adoption fee if your animal is sick.

Do you have any dogs/cats that are good for people with allergies?

Every day the shelter has a variety of animals to choose from and we often have animals that are less allergenic than others.  It is true that these animals are in high demand and oftentimes are adopted very quickly, however do not give up hope of finding a low allergenic animal at the shelter.  Our best advice would be to visit the shelter often and meet with our wonderful animals to see first hand if there is an animal here for you.  Also, there are many ways to reduce the affects of allergies to animals which your physician should be able to share with you.

Can I adopt for a gift?

Yes, however the best companion animal relationships made are typically those which start off with the primary caretaker selecting the animal themselves. Although we oftentimes believe we know exactly what the other is looking for, we are often surprised at the little things we may not know or remember. Have you ever purchased a gift for someone only to realize later you picked it because it was really what you wanted? Bonding with an animal is a special process and we encourage you to have the caretaker be a part of this decision. The best way to do this is surprise them with an invitation to visit the shelter to adopt, gifts of supplies the animal will need when coming home and of course we will accept the adoption fee from you as well.  A gift certificate can also be purchased at the shelter. However, if you still would like to adopt as a gift we can provide you with assistance in selecting the most appropriate animal for your loved one.  Please consult our adoption counselor staff when you arrive at the shelter. 

Can you hold and animal for me?

We can’t hold animals. When an animal is adopted we need the available space for another waiting to be adopted. 

Can I be put on a list for a certain breed?

Unfortunately we do not have the resources to keep a waiting list. We ask that you check our website frequently as it is updated real time and come visit us as much as possible because we have new animals being made available for adoption every day.