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Up to 27% of each purchase you make through iGive.com goes to helping our adoptable animals.

You can view our gallery of adoptable pets, hosted by Petfinder.com
or go straight to the Frequently Asked Questions.

 

A few questions and answers about adopting a pet...

Why Adopt?

• There are more than 10 times as many dogs and cats born in America than there are homes to take them in.
• For every person born, there are 15 dogs and 45 cats.
• More than 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in this country each day.
• 25% of the animals in shelters are pedigree.
• 80% of the animals at the Humane Society of Sarasota are given up by their owners.
• There are an estimated 49 to 60 million cats in the U.S.
• Only 15% of the stray dogs are reclaimed and only 2% of the cats.

Condition of adoptable animals

We make every effort to adopt out only healthy animals. Since the health history of most of the animals brought to this shelter is unknown, your new pet may have an illness that is in the "incubation stage", or an indeterminable problem that has not yet shown any obvious symptoms. Therefore, it is most important that you have the animal examined by a veterinarian within three working days after the adoption. The Humane Society does not guarantee the health, disposition, breed, or adult size of any animal adopted from this facility.

Due to the fact that every animal is individual, their vaccination(s) and test records may vary as a result of each animal's individual history, age, length of time at the shelter, or special medical requirements or needs. However, all fees do include spaying or neutering your new pet and a rabies vaccination. Before being placed for adoption, all animals will also have been given several health checks including:

Every animal receives the following tests:
   • Weight and temperature
   • Fecal test
   • Strongid/T
   • Albon (if needed for specific parasites)

Dogs will receive tests or vaccinations for some or all of the following:
   • DHLPP Booster for DHLPP
   • Kennel Cough
   • Heartworm Test
   • Ivermectin

Cats will receive some or all of the following:
   • Test/vaccination for FVRCP/C
   • Booster for FVRCP/C
   • Test for feline leukemia

Owning a Pet and the Law

Before you decide to adopt an animal, there are some laws that you will want to be aware of. Whether you adopt your pet from us or elsewhere, these are laws that are mandated by the county of Sarasota, and not by the Humane Society. These are laws that you and your pet will have to abide by, as required by law.

Cruelty to animals is prohibited.

Your dog or cat may not run at large. Your pet may not run at large on any public property or the property of another unless it is under direct control of a responsible person. Direct Control means: Fenced, leashed, chained, or voice command for specifically trained dogs within unobstructed sight and sound.

You may not own or keep a nuisance animal. This includes an animal that:
   • is repeatedly found at large;
   • damages the property of anyone other than its owner;
   • chases vehicles;
   • makes excessive disturbing noises is dangerous to the public health, safety, or welfare;
   • attacks other animals.

Each year, you must obtain a license certificate and tag for your dog or cat. This applies to dogs and cats four months of age and older. In order to receive this license, your dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The license is valid for one year from the date of vaccination.

You must keep a female cat or dog that is in heat in a secure enclosure so that it cannot come in contact with a male cat or dog, except for intentional breeding purposes. A secure enclosure is a building, veterinary hospital, boarding kennel, or a closed kennel. A fenced area is not a secure enclosure.

Your pet is not allowed everywhere. You may not take an animal onto any public beach, playground, public school premises, or public building. Dogs that are trained to help the disabled are allowed if they are being used for that purpose.

Requirements

Here at the Humane Society of Sarasota, our first interest is in the well being of all of our animals, not only here at the shelter, but after they are adopted as well. Since we make a lifetime commitment to our animals, there are some guidelines that you must agree to before taking your new pet home.

You must agree to the following:

• All animals must be spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter.
• Assume all responsibility for the adopted animal's well-being, to give it devoted and humane care and treatment, and to provide a regular program of health care.
• Take your new pet to a veterinarian within three days of adoption for examination and treatment (if necessary) at your own expense.
• Comply with all State/local laws and ordinances regarding animals.
• Never allow the animal to be used for for vivisection, experimentation, animal fighting, hunting, or as a guard animal.
• Permit the Humane Society to investigate, at any time during the life of the animal, the premises where the animal is kept, and to surrender the animal if you have not complied with any provision of this Agreement or if you have misrepresented any fact to the Humane Society.
• Agree not to sell or give the adopted animal to any other person but will return and surrender the animal to this Humane Society if you can no longer keep it, humanely care for it, or desire it.
• Abide by all rules of our adoption agreement
• To never tie with a rope or chain or on a runner line a dog outside at any time

Also, we require the following of you:

• Have your landlord’s permission and/or association permission to bring an animal onto his/her property. A landlord check is mandatory.
• Be at least 18 years of age and have verifiable identification.
• Be aware that all household members will need to be introduced to the pet you wish to adopt.
• Understand that this is an adoption, not a sale. HSSC reserves the right to postpone or refuse an adoption.
• Be sure that you are financially able to provide for the animal’s needs. This includes food, supplies, licenses, and veterinary care.
• Be certain that you have adequate time to spend with your new pet, including time for training, exercise, and grooming.
• Be aware that if you select a dog and currently own dog(s) or share your home with another person who owns dog(s), a “dog introduction” is required.
• All dogs must be on a leash & collar when coming and going from HSSC.
• All cats must be in a carrier when coming and going from HSSC.
• Complete an application and discuss it with an Adoption Counselor.
  
  The adoption application process can take an hour or longer. Therefore, application processing must begin one hour before posted closing times. If your application cannot be completed the day of your visit, the adoption counselor will gladly set an appointment with you for the following business day to complete your adoption.

Adoption Rates

Type of Animal Standard Fee: Fee for HSSC Members and previous adopters: Dogs $65 $55 Puppies (under 5 months) $75 (plus refundable foster fee) $65 (plus refundable foster fee) Dogs 7 and older $55 $55 Cat $55 $45 Kittens (under 5 months) $65 (plus refundable foster fee) $55 (plus refundable foster fee) Cats 7 and older $45 $45 Ferrets $55 $45 All of the above fees include spaying or neutering, rabies vaccination, and microchipping.

Become a Foster Pet Parent...

You can help us and our animals by becoming a "foster pet owner." As a foster pet owner you will temporarily bring home an animal that isn't yet ready for adoption, such as an animal that is recuperating from an injury, or a mother cat or dog with babies that are too young to be separated. When the animal(s) is physically fit to be adopted, you would then bring it back. It's a great way to give special attention to a furry friend when it's needed most, and also helps us by making room here at the shelter. If you're interested, call us and ask forMichal VanderWoude at 955-4131 ext.115, or visit us at 2331 15th street, Sarasota, Fl. 34237.