A majority of the dogs and cats surrendered to HSoP are surrendered due to the owners not being allowed to own pets where they live. Adopting an animal into rental that does not allow pets will only set that pet up for failure, with the potential for them to end up right back where they started. We strongly believe that pets should be adopted into welcoming environments, where they cannot risk eviction for themselves or their owner.
These are some potential consequences of harboring a companion animal in a non-pet-friendly living environment:
Fines
In some cases, your landlord may fine you if you sneak a pet in without approval. Fines generally apply per pet. While some landlords may charge a set amount, others can attempt to charge you for every day the pet lives in your rental.
In order for your landlord to charge you, details about any possible pet-related fines must be covered in your lease. If your landlord asks for an amount not detailed in the lease, you may be able to file a case in civil court to recoup your costs, but the court doesn't have the legal right to allow you to keep the pet.
Pet removal
If your lease has a no-pet clause and you get a pet, your landlord will have the legal right to ask you to remove the animal from the property. If you want to keep your pet, you’ll have to move. To move during your lease, you’ll have to break the lease and pay hefty penalties, sublet your rental, or work out an arrangement with your landlord to end the agreement early.
Eviction
Most landlords are willing to work with their tenants, even if they do break the lease. However, some landlords won’t. If you’re caught sneaking in a pet, your landlord may have the right to evict you.
If you’re evicted, your landlord may sue you for the remainder of your lease payment. Recovering from an eviction may be difficult. Any future landlords can learn about your eviction history, and that may make it more difficult to rent again in the future. This can also be reflected on your credit score.
Some landlords have a strict no-pet policy because they do not have insurance that covers pets, or other tenants in the apartment might be allergic to cats/dogs and sensitive to the animals living in a shared space. Always check with your landlord to see if you are allowed to have pets or check your lease agreement.
Anyone is welcome to visit the shelter during our open hours!
We do have some restrictions about who can see, interact with, and adopt our wonderful pets:
- Adopters must be 18 years old or older.
- Minors cannot interact with any of our adoptable pets without a parent or guardian present (unless they're working a junior volunteer shift).
Please visit the HSoP Adoption Process webpage to learn more about the steps involved in adopting your new best friend.
Here is what the process generally looks like:
- Find your furry friend at HSoP!
- Complete a general screening application
- Complete an adoption contract
- Review your new pet's medical history
- Pay the adoption fee
- Take your furry best friend home with you!
We don’t sell pets; we adopt them into responsible and loving homes. We are dedicated to finding forever homes for the animals under our care, we want these animals’ adoptive homes to be safe, loving, and permanent! We also strive to find the best match for our adopters. Assuring a good match between an animal and the new family, is our number one priority. We want the animals and your family to be safe and happy. Our adoption policies reflect this commitment.
Our support services, including adoption counseling and follow-up behavior counseling, are a major perk of adopting from us. Each adoption has a seven day “foster period” and health guarantee. Plus, our adoption fees are much less than the costs of the preventative care each animal receives prior to adoption.
Preventative Care:
Every Companion animal adopted from HSoP has already received the following and is included in the adoption fee. Dogs are $135.00 and Cats are $100.00. Providing these preventative measures on your own could costs upwards of $300.00!
All HSoP adoptable pets are:
- Spayed or neutered
- Up to date on all yearly vaccines
- Microchipped
Absolutely, adoptions can happen the same day you apply! It all depends on the pet you're applying for.
There are times when this does not apply. For instance, if you are applying for an animal that is not spayed or neutered yet, you will have to wait to take your new friend home until after their surgery.
It is the policy of Humane Society of the Palouse that all animals are to be spayed or neutered before they leave the shelter. We make sure your newly adopted pet is put on the next available surgery day to ensure you will be able to take your pet home as soon as possible. We want to do our part in controlling the pet population and this policy ensures that we do. As well as some of the funding HSoP recieves through grants stipulate that HSoP must have a manditory spay and neuter policy.
Happiness matters-for you and your new pet.
Your adoption satisfaction is guaranteed. If you adopt a pet from HSoP and discover that you are not compatible, you may return the pet within the first 7 days and receive a refund of your adoption fee or an exchange for another pet that will meet your needs. You can always extend your foster period if you would like more time. Contact HSoP 208-883-1166 during your first 7 days if you would like an extension.
We want to place the right pet in the right home and eliminate any perceived risk that might be associated with adopting. Our new policy will help ensure a good fit for both the adopter and the animal, improve customer satisfaction, and hopefully increase the number of adoptions. Ultimately, if people are happy with the pets they adopt, the pets are going to be happy too.
After the 7 day foster period, you can still return your new pet, but you will need to make arrangements first. HSoP does not euthanize to make space, so you may need to be placed on our waitlist if you need to return outside of your foster period. If outside of your foster period, HSoP will not refund you adoption fee and depending on the length of time, you may be required to pay an owner surrender fee. Contact HSoP with any questions you may have 208-883-1166.
No, it is one of the policies of the Humane Society of the Palouse to spay or neuter every animal that is adopted. The surgery is included in the adoption price. We feel that as a shelter it is our responsibility to help curb animal overpopulation by spaying and neutering our adoptable animals and to promote responsible pet ownership.
Adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment. Besides love, have you thought about the time, training, and financial responsibility involved with owning a pet? Are you aware of what the laws are regarding pet ownership?
We take the adoption process very seriously. We strive to ensure that each pet finds the proper family and that each family finds a pet that will match their lifestyle. For an adoption to be successful, you must truly understand the level of care and commitment required for a successful adoption. Each animal is an individual. Each requires a different system of care, ranging from exercise to training to grooming needs. It is beneficial for you and your pet to do as much research as possible before selecting and taking your new companion home.
We make an emotional commitment to each animal in our care. We have an obligation to ensure that the new relationship between your family and your new companion will thrive for a lifetime.
Here are some points to ponder:
Consider that this decision will last for many years. Adopting an animal, is making an 18-year commitment.
Evaluate your schedule to see if you have the time to commit to a pet. All pets need basic care, exercise, playtime and love. We recommend that you allow at least 2 hours per day in your schedule for walks, exercise and other basic needs. Some pets may require more time.
Evaluate your budget. Over the lifetime of a pet, the cost of ownership can be quite high. We advise adopters to budget at least $1,500 – $2,000 per year for expenses.
Consider how you will handle special challenges that will come along. Housebreaking, furniture damage, and medical issues are all common in the lifespan of a pet. Be sure you have the time and money to tackle these issues.
Research the pet rules of your living situation. If renting or in a condo/co-op, inquire about size, breed, age, training requirements and pet deposits. Get the policy in writing. If you own, check with your homeowners’ insurance or HOA to find out if they have breed restrictions.
Evaluate your current lifestyle. If you’re about to move, enter college or take a new promotion requiring more hours on the job, you may want to wait until you’re more settled.
List some of the challenges your living situation presents to be sure your new pet is a good match. For example: a barking terrier may not be a good choice for apartment living.
Research pet care options for when you’re traveling. You’ll need to plan to take your new pet along or arrange for care through family and friends, or a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
Identify how to pet-proof your home. We encourage adopters to keep their pets indoors. Companion animals live longer, have better health and are happier if they can be inside (even at night) with their families.
Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations and be an ambassador for responsible pet ownership. By following rabies, license, and leash laws, keeping ID tags on your pet, cleaning up after your pet, and practicing in responsible pet ownership, your actions will encourage others to do the same.
Consider why pets are surrendered in the first place. Among the top five reasons that people give up their pets, three are common to both dogs and cats: landlord issues, moving, and the cost of pet care. For dogs, the other most common reasons include lack of time and inadequate facilities. For cats, it's allergies and having too many cats to care for.
Many animals lose their homes because their owners weren't prepared to invest the necessary money and time to care for a pet. In other cases, families and pets are mismatched. Consider these all-too-common scenarios:
A high-energy dog is adopted by a family that doesn't have time for extensive daily exercise
A skittish kitten is chosen by rambunctious children whose parents aren't inclined to actively supervise their kids
A bunny with a predictable fondness for chewing catches the eye of someone who has no interest in rabbit-proofing her home.
To prevent such painful situations for both the pets and people involved, shelters and rescue groups carefully evaluate adopters in the hope of avoiding these mismatched relationships.