Adoption Process
At HHHT, we take pride in carefully matching each animal with the right home. Our adoption process is designed to ensure that both you and the pet are set up for a successful future together.
Here’s what to expect when adopting from HHHT:
Submit Adoption Application
Before meeting any of our animals, potential adopters must complete an adoption application. This helps us understand your past experience with animals, your expectations, and the environment the pet will be placed in. We also conduct a vet check and ask for personal references who are not related to the applicant.
Family and Pet Meet and Greet
Once the application is received and reviewed, we’ll arrange a meet and greet with the animal at an agreed location. This is an opportunity for you and your family, including children, to interact with the pet and see if it’s a good fit. If some family members can’t attend, we can coordinate a phone consultation. If you have other pets, we recommend introducing them as well to ensure compatibility.
Home and Yard Visit
Before final approval, we’ll conduct a home check to make sure the environment meets the pet’s needs. For dogs, especially those with special needs (such as being blind or deaf), a secure, fenced-in yard may be required. Any hazardous conditions for the pet must be resolved before adoption approval. If needed, we may also perform a post-adoption yard check.
Finalize the Adoption
Once the home and yard checks are approved, we’ll finalize the adoption. You’ll review and sign the adoption contract, pay the adoption fee, and receive your new pet’s medical records. Our team will explain any important medical information and ensure your veterinarian has everything they need.
Take Your New Pet Home!
After the paperwork is complete, you’ll be able to take your new family member home. All of our animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and medically cleared before adoption. If an animal hasn’t been sterilized due to medical reasons, this must be done within three months of being cleared.
Our commitment doesn’t end once your pet goes home. We’ll check in with you to make sure the transition is smooth and to answer any questions you might have. If any issues arise, we’re here to help support both you and your new pet.
Post Adoption Follow Up
Get your journey started by completing our adoption application. Thank you for considering adoption!
Meet Our Adoptable Pets
Welcome to our Adoptable Pets page! Here, you’ll find the wonderful animals currently in our care, each one searching for a loving forever home. Explore their profiles to discover their unique personalities and specific needs.
By adopting from Healing Hearts & Helping Tails, you’re offering a deserving pet a second chance at a joyful life. Thank you for considering adoption and for making a meaningful impact on the lives of these incredible animals.
Things to Know Before Applying
At Helping Hearts and Healing Tails, our priority is finding the best possible match for both the animal and the adopter. While we appreciate every application, here are a few important things to keep in mind as you move through the adoption process:
1. Application Does Not Guarantee Approval
Submitting an application is the first step, but it does not guarantee that you will be approved to adopt. We carefully review each application, vet references, and conduct home and yard checks to ensure that the environment is a good fit for the pet’s needs. Our goal is to place animals in homes where they will thrive for the rest of their lives, which sometimes means turning down applications if the match isn’t quite right.
2. Home Visit Standards
During the home visit, we are looking to ensure that the space is safe and comfortable for the animal. Some things that could lead to a declined application include:
Unsafe or hazardous conditions that could harm the pet
Evidence of hoarding or overcrowding
Unsecured yards, particularly for dogs that require a fenced space
Narcotics or illegal substances in the home
Additional pets not included on your application
Unresolved household issues that might pose a risk to the pet’s well-being
We encourage all applicants to resolve any potential safety hazards before the home check.
3. Backup Adopters
If an animal already has a potential adopter lined up, you can still apply to be a backup adopter. This means that if the original adopter does not complete the process or is not approved, you will be next in line for the animal. Backup adopters are important, as things can change, and it ensures the animal can find a home without delay. If you are interested in an animal that already has an approved applicant, we still recommend applying, as sometimes the first match doesn’t work out.