Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Adoption Fee cover?
Dog and cat adoption fees include:
- A general physical examination and behavioral evaluation by a veterinarian
- Canine or feline distemper combination vaccination and bordetella (canines only); age-appropriate canines and felines also receive a rabies vaccination whenever possible
- Deworming medication
- Flea/tick treatment
- SNAP test (if age appropriate and meets testing guidelines)
- Spay/neuter surgery
- 30-day return period for dogs and 7- day return period for cats
- A small bag of transition food
- Microchipping
What happens to found animals that are never claimed?
Animals that are not claimed after 5 days in our care are then fully vetted and put up for adoption in which the PCHS finds them a new forever home.
What if my pet is lost?
Please see our lost and found pets page. It includes creating a listing on PawBoost database and messaging us information so we can post to our FB lost/found animals.
Why do you guys recommend setting up appointments?
Through the pandemic and limited staff, we found appointments to be an efficient way to make sure potential adopters have quality time and help with the animal they are interested in. Appointments allow for proper planning for adoptions, quality time with potential adopters, and for staff to better help visitors. While we are open to the public with no appointments necessary Wednesday-Friday 9am-6pm for visits, we do appreciate appointments.
Do you guys declaw your cats?
No we do not. We do not recommend declawing cats for many reasons, and the only reason we would have cats that are declawed is that they came to PCHS already declawed.
Do you offer any assistance in vetting?
At this time, the only services we offer are microchipping and nail trim services to cats and dogs Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1230-2:30 pm. No appointment necessary, but you can let us know and we can write you on the schedule so we know when to expect you. Cost is $20 per animal per service. Cats must be brought in a carrier and dogs must be leashed.
We do not have any other programs to help with vetting or vetting costs. Please reach out to your local vet for assistance.
Are you guys a No-Kill Shelter?
Yes! PCHS is considered a no-kill shelter, meaning we never euthanize an animal for space concerns. The only time an animal is euthanized at PCHS is if it is recommended by a veterinarian due to health or behavior concerns, which happens rarely at PCHS.
Why do I have to go on a waitlist for bringing an animal in?
Unfortunately, there is an abundance of animals that need our help and we only have so much space for animals. Why don't we increase our space? Quality of care, staffing, spacing, and funds. We wish we could immediately help everyone who reaches out, but we do our best with with our current capacity and care standards. We do not euthanize for space, so animals will stay in our care until they are adopted, which can take a while.
What do I do if I am concerned about an animal's welfare? Can you pick them up?
At this time, we are unable to offer services to pick-up animals in animal welfare situations. Here are your options:
1. Call the non-emergency line for your local law enforcement and file a report. It is up to local law enforcement to engage in animal welfare cases. They will be in touch with us if housing is needed for the animal(s) in question.
2. You can also submit an animal cruelty report to the Animal Humane Society of MN: https://ahs.i-sight.com/external/case/new
Issues that Animal Humane Society of MN Humane Agents investigate:
- Domestic animals and livestock lacking necessary food, water, or shelter as required by law
- Animal fighting and hoarding
- Physical abuse or chronic neglect of animals
- Denial of necessary medical attention to animals who are sick or injured
- Illegal shooting, trapping, abandonment, poisoning, or torture of any domestic animal
- Potential injury from tangled leashes, ropes, or chains
- Animals left in unattended vehicles and subject to conditions that would or could adversely affect the animal’s health or welfare
- Pet stores, petting zoos, boarding kennels, dog kennels, horse stables, and other facilities that are not meeting the minimum standards of care as required by law
To learn more about MN Animal Welfare Laws, please visit: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/343
What's a "Hold" fee or a "Deposit"?
Find an animal you are in love with but want to make sure they don’t get snagged by someone else? We encourage you to call us and place a deposit on them. (Deposits are $20).
To place a deposit on a pet, call us at (320) 634-4761 and we will take your basic information and you will receive a text message or email to securely complete the hold fee via your phone or computer. NOTE: Pope County Humane Society CANNOT hold an animal without a deposit, either by phone or in person. Deposits cannot be placed through email or social media messaging, you must call us or visit us in person.
Deposit: Deposits will hold animals for three full business days after the animal is cleared for adoption. The cost is a $20 non-refundable, non-transferable for this service. If you choose to adopt the pet, that $20 will go towards the pet’s adoption fee. Deposits are required to hold an animal even if it has not been cleared for adoption yet. (i.e. not spayed/neutered or pending medical assessment). If you choose not to adopt the animal, or you do not adopt within three business days, your $20 will turn into a $20 tax-deductible donation.
2nd Deposit: If an animal you are interested in already has a deposit, you can place a second deposit on the animal. If the first deposit falls through, you will be next in line to adopt this pet; you will have three business days from the time we notify you to finalize the adoption. A $20 non-refundable, non-transferable fee still applies, even if the person with the first deposit decides to adopt the pet. Your $20 will turn into a $20 tax-deductible donation if the animal is adopted.
*PCHS will take up to three deposits per animal on a first-come, first-served basis, and deposits are always nonrefundable/nontransferable
*This is not a requirement to adopt an animal. You are welcome to put in an application or set-up an appointment to meet an animal without a hold, but we cannot guarantee that the animal will be available. For example, if you want to adopt an animal and don’t place a hold on it, there is a chance it can get adopted before your appointment.