Adopting a Pet
Being a responsible pet guardian starts with realistic expectations and an understanding that a companion animal should be treated as a beloved family member and not as a temporary playmate.
Before Adopting
Think it through
At the Humane Society of Culpeper, we believe the key to every successful pet adoption is finding the right match between a family and an animal. Think carefully about the amount of time, space, and energy that you and your loved ones have to share with your new family member. After all, every homeless pet in every animal shelter arrived there because its owners couldn't make a lifelong commitment to their pet.
Please read and consider the information in the following article from The Humane Society of the United States:
Find the right match
To help you think about the pet that would be best for you and your family, read the following tip sheet from the Humane Society of the United States:
You can also visit the Humane Society of the United States website for more Pet Adoption Information.
Policies and Fees
Adoption Application
Prospective adopters must fill out an application form. Our goal is to place each animal with a responsible guardian who will provide it with plenty of love, companionship, exercise, comfort, security, and medical care for the rest of its life.
Approval Process
After your application is recieved, it is reviewed. A home visit is then scheduled before an application is approved. If you have other dogs, we may ask you to introduce them to their prospective "sibling" before we approve your application. If you rent your home, we will require confirmation that the pet you want is permitted by the property owner. If we receive multiple applications for a pet, we chose the best home for that pet regardless of the order in which applications arrive.
Adoption Fees
Cats / Kittens
$55
Includes: Spay or Neuter, Rabies Vaccination, first FVRCP vaccination.
Pets adopted have already been dewormed and are flea-free.
We also test our cats for Feline Leukemia/FIV, prior to adoption.
Dogs / Puppies
$75
Includes: Spay or Neuter, Rabies Vaccination, first DHPP vaccination.
Pets adopted have already been dewormed and are flea-free.
Adult dogs can be tested for Heartworm.
Note: Any kittens or puppies adopted prior to 14 weeks of age are done on a case-by-case basis, meaning that each adopter will commit to bringing back their adopted pet, at a time determined by the HSC, to be spayed or neutered. This service is also done through the vets of the HSC. No exceptions.
We only accept cash or checks. Sorry, we don't accept credit cards.
We may also rescue other types of animals that need a loving "forever home". When such cases occur, we will add information regarding them to the site.
Fortunately, at this time we don't have any guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. in need of homes.