Do your research before you adopt.
Protect yourself and your future pet by adopting from a responsible and transparent shelter.
- Are pets spayed/neutered before adoption?
- State law requires all adopted pets be spayed/neutered prior to adoption unless an individual medical waiver is obtained from PACFA for specific medical purposes.
- The shelter should cover the cost of spay/neuter services up front.
- Is the Facility PACFA Certified and in good standing?
- The Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) Program is a licensing and inspection program for pets in Colorado. View PACFA certified facilities, complaints, and more at their website: ag.colorado.gov/ics/pacfa
- Does the shelter vaccinate all pets and provide medical records at the time of adoption?
- A key to preventing illness in shelters and pets is a responsible vaccination process. Adopters should receive vaccine and any known medical history before adopting.
- Does the Shelter provide known history of the pet?
- Request the pet’s background, such as whether it was brought in by an owner, found as a stray, or transferred from another shelter.
- If the pet’s history is unknown or if it came from out of state, has the pet been properly quarantined and tested for diseases?
- Does the Shelter foster ongoing communication?
- What is the shelter’s policy if you have questions or concerns about your new pet or need support with the pet’s transition into your home?
- Does the Shelter have a good reputation?
- Ask your friends and neighbors for a recommendation when looking to adopt a new pet.
- Check out reviews of the shelter online, look into what industry associations it belongs to, and ask which organizations it collaborates with.
- If it doesn’t work with reputable groups in the area, that may be a warning sign.
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