How to Meet Our Available Pets

Step one in finding your new family member is to fill out an adoption application.

Because we are a foster-home-based rescue organization, we do not have a shelter facility. We have provided a direct link to the adoption application below.

Below is a more detailed look at the adoption process.

AEAR

Our Adoption Process

We are thrilled that you are considering adopting a pet. Adoption is a fantastic option!  Here is the way to meet an animal you are interested in adopting:

  • You will be able to meet the pet you are interested in after your adoption application has been approved (see next steps below).

  • You can fill out an application and submit it to us. If you decide to fill out an application you will get an automated response with this same letter that you are reading here. Receiving this letter after you fill out an application indicates that we have received your application.

    Please note due to LIMITED staff and busy volunteers we ONLY contact applicants we are considering for adoption. You will likely, but not always, hear from someone within 24/48 hours of submitting your application. Please understand there are various reasons someone may not be contacted.

    • It could be that the dog/cat/whatever that you are applying for is very popular and we have received many applications (this is often the purebreds and the non sheds).
    • It could be that we are already working with an applicant.
    • It could be that we don’t think it’s a good match. If we think you are not a good match for that particular pet DOES NOT mean we think you would be a bad pet owner in any way.
    • If you are one of a few who we are considering for an animal, but you do not get chosen, once again this does not mean we think you would be a bad pet owner.

  • If you are contacted by an application screener, detailed information about the animal(s) you are interested in will be discussed, along with some information about you. Based on that discussion, if you and the animal are determined to be a good potential fit, then the screener will review your application with you to confirm the information provided. Additional questions will also be asked based on the animal you are interested in.

  • In order to approve an application, two personal reference checks will also be done, along with a vet reference check if you currently (or in the recent past) have a pet. Additional checks may also be needed (for example, if you are currently renting your home, we will contact the landlord to confirm that the pet you are interested in adopting are allowed).

  • After the application interview, reference checks, and any additional checks needed are satisfactorily completed and confirm that you and the adoptable pet are a good match, your application will be approved.

  • A private meeting will then be scheduled with you and your family and the foster parent with the animal you are interested in. In most cases, the entire family and current dogs are requested to come to the meeting. If the meeting goes well, since your application is approved you will be able to adopt the animal from the meeting and take the animal home with you.

Additional Information

  • If you were not chosen for a pet that you wanted to adopt we will keep your application on file and you also will be automatically emailed a copy for your records.  If you see another pet that you are interested in you can just let us know that you already submitted an application and we can refer to it on our system or you can email it to us.  If it has been six months or longer and/or your information has changed, however, we will ask you to submit a new application.

  • Applications for long distance adoptions are accepted, but local adoptions are preferable.

  • Puppies less than 6-7 months old are not adopted out to homes where they will be left home alone for more than 3-4 hours a day. This is due to the social and physical needs of a young puppy.

  • You must be at least 22 years old to independently adopt an animal from our organization.

We are explaining all this so we can be as clear as possible, answer any questions you might have and so there aren’t any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Our main objective is to place pets in a forever home where they will live out the rest of their lives; making sure we match up pets and owners well is vital to achieving that goal.

Upcoming Meet & Greet Events

View all AEAR events here

Ready to Adopt?

FILL OUT ADOPTION APPLICATION

THE COST OF ADOPTION

The adoption donation for each pet is listed on their individual bio page. Below is a list of what is included in your pet’s adoption from AEAR compared with how much it would cost if you would get it done yourself through a veterinarian.

Procedure/Treatment Estimate at Standard Veterinarian Through AEAR Adoption
Spay/Neuter all animals 5+ months (puppies and kittens will be adopted under the contractual agreement that they will be spayed/neutered by the adopter by the time they reach 5-6 months of age as suggested by our veterinarian)

$250-600

 Included
Vet Wellness Check (when Rabies Vaccination is administered)

$60-75

 Included
Rabies Vaccinations

$40-65

Included
Other Vaccinations | Dogs: DHPP, Bordetella; Cats: FVRCP

$25-40

Included
Health Testing | Dogs: Heartworm Check; Cats: Feline Leukemia/FIV Check (adult cats and select kittens)

$40-75

Included
Microchip

$40-75

Included
Microchip Registration

$19-30

Included
Preventative Initial Deworming

$12-40

Included
Heartworm Preventative (per month)

$10-15

Included
Flea/Tick Preventative (per month)

$10-15

Included

These vet cost estimates are only if an animal is healthy. If they arrive ill (which is often the case especially with stray, neglected or abused pets) AEAR usually spends quite a bit more to get them healthy and ready for adoption. As you can see, AEAR’s adoption donations barely help defray the costs we incur saving and rehoming pets from our community. This is, of course, not including any of our other expenses relating to our work such as food and housing for homeless pets, van maintenance and gas, and Humane Investigator tools just to name a few. By no means do our adoption donations cover all our expenses. We also have to rely on private donations to continue functioning. Additional donations are always appreciated and accepted. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Note: Each pet has different needs and may require more or less medical care depending on their specific health requirements. If you have any questions regarding a pet you are considering adopting, please contact us.

Note: All medical given to our pets are  AGE APPROPRIATE requirements.  After adoption it is the adopters responsibility for any additional medical requirements recommended by their veterinarian or others.