Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County

Adoption Policies

We are looking for permanent, responsible homes for the animals leaving our shelter. Every year millions of animals are surrendered to animal shelters because owners allow them to breed indiscriminately or decide they no longer want the responsibility of caring for a pet. Dogs and cats are not disposable objects. We realize that owning a pet is a LIFETIME COMMITMENT. It is our hope that prospective owners are aware of this also. Therefore our policies are strict for the sake of our animals.

1. All dogs and cats adopted from the shelter MUST be spayed or neutered. If the animal is an adult you will have 30 days to complete the surgery. If it is a puppy or kitten, surgery must be performed at the earliest age your vet recommends, and no later than when it reaches 6 months of age. Your adoption fee includes a deposit to be applied to the cost of this surgery. NO EXCEPTIONS
2. Any dog under 20 lbs. will be adopted as a house dog only. If you are interested in a large breed dog (over 50 lbs.) we suggest a fenced yard. No large breed dogs will be adopted to apartments.
3. No dog will be adopted to be chained outside or allowed to run at large. This policy is in accordance with Indiana state and local laws which require dogs to be restrained to your property at all times or on a leash.
4. No dogs will be adopted for hunting or guard/attack purposes.
5. If you rent, we require written or verbal consent from the property owner before your application will be approved.
6. We adopt cats as indoor pets only. We do not adopt them to be mousers or barn cats. Cats allowed to roam outside are more likely to be injured, cause problems with neighbors and contract disease.
7. We do not adopt animals as presents or gifts without the potential adopter’s knowledge and approved application.
8. You must be 18 years of age or older with a valid ID to adopt. In households with children, an adult must be responsible for the animal’s care. In households with more than one adult, we must have each adult’s consent before the application will be approved.
9. If at any time you can no longer care for an adopted animal, you MUST return it to the shelter.


WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY ADOPTION !!