Paws and Claws Humane Society of Rochester MN, strives to promote and provide humane protection and shelter for abandoned or lost companion animals, and seek adoptive homes for companion animals under their protective care.

Policies

Paws & Claws Humane Society Adoption Information & Guidelines

1. Paws and Claws Humane Society (PCHS) is a non-profit, mostly volunteer organization that rescues and shelters homeless cats and dogs until they can be adopted into their “forever” homes. We want our clients to understand that adopting and animal is a lifetime responsibility and commitment to that animal.
2. In addition to being a shelter, PCHS advocates for universal spaying/neutering of all companion animals, and for the humane treatment and care of animals, and educates our adopters and the general public about proper pet care and animal welfare laws.In addition to being a shelter, PCHS advocates for universal spaying/neutering of all companion animals, and for the humane treatment and care of animals, and educates our adopters and the general public about proper pet care and animal welfare laws.
3. Adoption fees range from $110.00-$160.00 for cats, and $135.00-$310.00 for dogs depending on the individual animal. These fees only partially cover the veterinary expenses incurred by our organization, housing costs, and microchiping. In addition, a $35.00 deposit is required when adopting an animal that is not yet neutered or spayed, which is reimbursed upon proof of completed surgery. All animals adopted from PCHS must be altered within the specified time.
4. We require that all adopters living within the Rochester City limits purchase a city animal license at the time of adoption. Licenses cost $8.00 for altered animals and $12.00 for unaltered animals.
5. NO animal will be adopted as a gift to be given to another party. Gift Certificates are available for purchase to be given so the recipients may choose their own companion animal.
6. After submitting an application, there is generally a processing period of 1-3 days in order to complete all pre-adoption checks and paperwork before an adopter may take possession of the animal.
7. All prospective adopters must show (at the time of adoption)a valid drivers license or other acceptable identification to verify their name, address, and age. Adopters must be 18yrs of age. Children under the age of 12 years old need to be present at time of viewing shelter cats or dogs.
8. Landlord approval is necessary and must be verified where an adopter lives in an apartment, rental home or property, a trailer court, or condominium.
9. All cats will be adopted only as indoor pets. All dogs are intended to be companion animals and must have adequate shelter, and the majority of PCHS dogs are adopted as indoor pets. Home visits will be arranged for the dogs being adopted for outdoor placements.
10. As a rule potential adopters are required to have current vaccinations on all their existing pets before being approved for an adoption of a PCHS animal. PCHS staff will do a verification check with the adopter’s current veterinarian before approval of an adoption. In addition, if an adopter currently has any unaltered pet, the PCHS animal being adopted must be altered before being released to the adoptive home.
11. PCHS cannot guarantee the health and temperament of any animal.

If you have questions regarding these policies, please talk to a PCHS representative. Thank you for considering adopting your next pet from Paws and Claws!