Adopting an animal can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for the whole family. Our experienced Adoption Counselors will help you decide if the animal you are interested in is a good match for your lifestyle and will direct you to any pets that may be appropriate. They will help you navigate the process of expanding your family and set you up for success! Here is some basic information on the adoption process to get you started, but please stop in today to meet our fabulous animals and our friendly staff!

Before You Visit

Check out our animals available for adoption right here on our website by using our Adoptable Animal Search function. For more details about an available animal, call our shelter at (608) 752-5622...or better yet - stop in and meet them in person!

1. Discuss the adoption with everyone who lives in your home to make sure everyone's on the same page about adopting a new pet and are ready for the commitment of a new family member.
2. If you rent, discuss the adoption with your landlord and make sure you understand the pet policies in your rental unit.
3. We strongly encourage all dog adopters to keep their hearts and minds open to the possibility of the bully breeds. If you do fall in love with one of our great pit bull terriers, renters should bring landlord approval that states that this breed is welcome at their rental property.
   • If you rent, RCHS will verify the landlord's pet policy by reviewing your lease agreement or by contacting your landlord directly before you meet the dog.
   • If you own, we can verify ownership online for those who live in Rock County. Otherwise, please provide a mortgage or tax statement, deed, or homeowner's insurance document.

Meeting the Animals

1. Visit our main shelter or satellite adoption center (cats only) located at the Mounds Pet Food Warehouse in Janesville.
2. Discuss with an adoption counselor the kind of pet that will best fit into your home.
3. Meet with animals that appear to meet your needs and expectations.
4. Review each animal's medical and behavior profile.
5. When you've found an animal that appears to be a good fit for you, fill out an application to adopt that animal. We encourage all members of a household to meet the new pet before adoption.

Special considerations for dogs

• We ask that all members of your household meet the dog before adoption.
• We ask that your current dogs visit the shelter to meet the dog to assure a good fit.
• We will introduce the dog to a shelter cat to gauge their ability to live peacefully with your resident cats if applicable/requested.

Adopting Your New Pet

Applications can often be approved quickly, so it's often possible to bring your new pet home immediately.

• If you are not ready to bring an animal home immediately, you may place a hold on the animal until the end of the following day for a $30 non-refundable deposit toward the adoption fee.
• If an animal requires medical care such as a spay or neuter before going home, we can reserve the animal for you until all medical procedures are complete for a $30 non-refundable deposit toward the adoption fee.

To finalize the adoption, we will explain our adoption contract and policies and provide you with the animal's medical records.

Taking Your New Pet Home

• Dogs must go home with their own leash and collar. (Slip leashes, choke chains, prong collars, and harnesses do not qualify.)
• Cats and critters must go home in secure carriers.
• Leashes, collars, carriers and more are available for purchase at the shelter.