Common Adoption Questions Answered
Are you a no-kill shelter?
Yes. In 2010, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton proudly became a no-kill animal welfare agency. Since then, we have grown our organization to have an average save rate of 98 percent and work tirelessly to help thousands of animals get their second chance every year.
What types of animals do you have?
The Humane Society of Greater Dayton is the only animal welfare agency in the Miami Valley that helps all types of animals. Typically, we most commonly have dogs, cats, and rabbits at our shelter. However, we oftentimes have other animals such as guinea pigs, ferrets, birds, chinchillas, bearded dragons, and more. Plus, through our Cruelty and Neglect Program, we oftentimes get other animals needing homes, including horses, pigs, chickens, goats, and other farm animals or reptiles. We have even worked to rescue exotic animals such as alligators, cougars, and bears. However, these exotic animals are never up for adoption. We work with sanctuaries and other rescue groups to give them an environment so they can thrive properly and safely.
What do I need to bring with me to adopt?
To help streamline the process, we ask that you bring with you a copy of your lease (if you rent your home) as well as up-to-date veterinary records for any other animal currently in your home. If you already have a dog and want to make sure it gets along with a new dog, we recommend bringing your dog with you. We can have a staff member help you slowly introduce the two dogs to ensure they are a good fit prior to adopting. You can also fill out our adoption application online, or you can fill it out in-person at the shelter.
What is included with an adoption?
Prior to adoption, all of our dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, flea-treated, de-wormed, heartworm tested, vaccinated age appropriately, and examined by a veterinarian. Our cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, FELV/FIV tested, flea treated, vaccinated age appropriately, and examined by a veterinarian. Our rabbits are all spayed or neutered prior to adoption as well. When you adopt a dog or cat at our shelter, you will also receive a starter bag of food and additional supplies as they are available. For dog and cat adopters, you can purchase a collar and leash from us for $5. Montgomery County residents will also be required to pay a dog license fee for their animals of $20.75.
Why do you charge an adoption fee? Why don’t you just give them away?
The adoption fees cover a fraction of the care we provide to each animal at our facility. We are a nonprofit organization and receive no government funding. The adoption fees help us cover the cost to house, feed, and provide medical care for each animal.
What happens to the animals who aren’t quickly adopted?
The Humane Society of Greater Dayton is proud to be a no-kill animal welfare agency. We work with several open-intake shelters to bring animals into our facility. Once they are here, they are with us until we can find them their perfect match. This may take just a day or two or, in some cases, a year or two. Either way, we work with each animal to ensure they get their second chance and are devoted to each animal’s care.
What happens if the animal is not a good fit for my home? Can I return them?
We want to ensure that you and your new pet are a perfect match. If you adopt from us and it is not a good fit, we will help you with the animal. Within the return period, you must contact us at (937) 268-PETS (7387) to schedule a time to bring your adopted animal back to us. As a no-kill, limited-intake facility, we need to make sure we save space for your pet’s return.
You can return the animal to us and get a full refund (minus a small vet checking fee) within a certain time period. For dogs, you can return them within 14 days to get a full refund. The vet checking fee for dogs is $20. For cats or rabbits, you can return them within 28 days and still receive a full refund with the exclusion of a $10 vet checking fee.
