At CCHS, we strongly believe that all shelter animals deserve the best possible forever homes. We go to great lengths to ensure that happens. It is unimaginable what some animals have gone through to get to us. Some of the animals have been picked up as frightened strays wearing no collars, tags or other ID; some were rescued from a chained existence with no water, food or shelter to protect them from the elements. Some have been rescued from abusive or neglectful situations. We are also the recipients of “disposable” pets, the dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and hamsters whose owners “just don’t want them anymore.” 

Domesticated pets are companion animals that require love, attention, care and daily interaction with their human families. They are social animals. It’s not enough that they’re fed and given a place to sleep–if they’re penned outside all day, they don’t have that important chance to interact with their human family. If they’re allowed to run free, they’re in danger of being hit by a car and injured, or they become exposed to life-threatening risks an in-house pet never faces. Responsible pet owners know these things, use appropriate discretion, and safeguard their pets accordingly.

And that’s why we at CCHS are so thorough when adopting out our shelter animals. Like our counterparts across the country, we have an adoption policy. The best programs are those designed to ensure the animals are placed with a responsible person, one prepared for a lifelong commitment, so as to avoid the kinds of problems that may have caused the animals to be brought to our shelter in the first place.

An important part of this policy is to match the lifestyle and needs of the adopter with the individual cat or dog. Our pets are companion animals first and foremost–they are not barnyard mousers (unless it is a cat that has been placed in our BARN CAT program); they are not used exclusively for hunting or guarding. If the screening process occasionally seems overly strict, try to remember that the shelter’s first priority is to protect the animal’s best interests.

For the welfare of the shelter animals, we act as their protectors, to ensure that they next home for each of our “orphans” is one they’ll continue to enjoy throughout their lifetime. And even after you’ve already adopted a pet, we’re always available–to answer any pet-related questions, to help with behavioral problems, or to assist you in choosing a veterinarian or boarding kennel.

Our goal, simply, is to give all our animals that second chance for a happy, permanent forever home.

To read more about whether or not you are ready to adopt or to learn more about adopting adult dogs or cats, please visit our page with more information about adopting.

How to Adopt

The first step is to send us an Adoption Application. You may complete an online application . This process lets us learn about you and which animal may be the best candidate for your situation. Application review usually takes several days, which not only gives you a chance to think over your decision, but also enables us to verify the information you provided to us.

If you see an animal on our site that you wish to adopt, feel free to call410-820-1600 or email us info@carolinehumane.org to be sure that this particular animal is still available. Visiting the shelter is also encouraged.

If you are interested in adopting an animal that is listed on our website, please read the information below and use the links to proceed in starting the adoption process.

To begin the adoption process, an adoption form must be completed and submitted for review and approval, along with the following requirements:

• Adopters must be at least 18 years old
• Your adopted cat or dog will be spayed or neutered prior to adoption
• All animals will have all age appropriate current vaccinations
• All dogs and Puppies if age appropriate will be tested for heartworm, lyme and ehrlichia and started on heartworm preventative
• All cats and kittens will be tested for feline leukemia and FIV
• Flea and tick treatment will be given
• All cats and dogs are microchipped prior to adoption

Adopting a shelter animal is one of the most rewarding things you may ever experience. It takes patience, time and love. When you make an informed choice, you can feel confident (as can the pet you are adopting), that you have given the gift of hope.

For more information about our adoption process, please visit our Adopt page.