Henrico Humane Society (HHS) has successfully found homes for more than 4,000 homeless pets since 1991. Animals placed through HHS have been spayed or neutered, and have been immunized as is age appropriate. Additionally, each animal has a tag to make it easy to identify as a HHS animal if it becomes lost.

 

HHS generally has 50-85 cats and dogs available at any given time. We have kittens and puppies available at various times of the year. If you’re interested in adopting a young kitten or puppy, please consider your decision carefully as this is not the best option for everyone. We often take in young animals from adopters who didn’t consider the demanding needs and responsibilities of raising a kitten or puppy.

 

Animals in our care generally range in age from infants to seniors and come in various mixed breeds. After you submit an adoption application, a volunteer will ask you a series of questions to help determine what animal will most closely match the environment you can provide. You have already taken the first step in the adoption process by indicating your interest in a rescued animal. We ask that you have patience throughout the adoption process as volunteers do their best to finding the most appropriate home for every animal we rescue.

 

The procedure for adopting a homeless pet through Henrico Humane Society is as follows:

 

1.	A prospective adopter should complete an application, which may be done online or at an adoption stand.
2.	An adoption volunteer will contact the veterinary reference(s), landlord(s) and personal references provided on the application.
3.	A volunteer will conduct an extensive interview with the prospective adopter.
4.	If the adoption request is approved, a volunteer will work with the prospective adopter to match the request with a pet that best fits their circumstances. A home visit may be necessary to make sure all members of the family, including any other dogs and cats, are compatible.
	HHS reserves the right to refuse an applicant if, in our judgment, their home situation is not compatible with the needs of the animal, or if the animal is deemed unsuitable for the applicant for any reason. An adoption volunteer will do their best to find an animal that meets the wants and needs of the potential adopter. HHS does not, however, guarantee a successful placement. If a pet has been identified but the potential adopter is unable to commit to the adoption in a timely manner, HHS is under no obligation to hold the animal until they are able to do so.
5.	Complete an adoption contract. By signing the contract, you commit to make the animal you adopt a member of your family. Additionally, you agree:
	to license your pet that your pet will live indoors that you will provide proper care including monthly flea/tick treatments and heartworm prevention medication to take your pet to the vet at least once a year for vaccinations, heartworm testing, etc. to pay for any medical procedures or medication your pet may need over the course of their lifetime
6.	An adoption fee of $150 is required at the time of the adoption. This fee helps defray any costs incurred while the animal was in our care. These costs include, but are not limited to, medical exams, medical treatment (such as spay/neuter), vaccinations, heartworm tests, medication, and food.
	Occasionally, the adoption fee for a specific animal may be higher than the standard fee. In these cases, the higher fee will be noted in the bio on the website.
7.	Shortly after the adoption has been completed, a volunteer may call to check on the animal and answer any questions the adopter may have about integrating the new pet into the household.   The adopter agrees to:
	Contact a volunteer with any questions or problems. It’s easier to address a concern as it occurs rather than at some later time. Keep the Henrico Humane Society tag on their pet’s collar in the event the animal is lost Maintain their current address and contact information with us in the event the pet is ever lost and tracked to HHS by our identification tag.
8.	If the adoption is not satisfactory for any reason, the adopter agrees to contact HHS immediately in the event they no longer want to care for the animal. The animal must not be sold or given away. HHS also retains the right to reclaim any animal it adopts that is neglected, allowed to roam free or not cared for properly.

 

Henrico Humane Society is a non-profit organization that is run solely by volunteers. These volunteers dedicate countless hours to the homeless pets in our care, in addition to their own work and family duties. Their reward is knowing that they help find warm and loving homes for animals in need. Please have patience with these hard-working, caring individuals as they strive to place animals in the best possible environment.