The purpose of our adoption program, is to find responsible, lifelong homes for animals suitable as family pets.  Such matchmaking requires knowledge of both the animals to be placed and their prospective adopters.  It is not a kindness to animals for our agency to place them in homes where they will fail to receive adequate care and companionship, food, water, shelter, or veterinary care when necessary.  Nor is it a benefit to the community for us to place animals where they will be allowed to roam the neighborhood, violate animal-control laws, or add their offspring to the surplus of unwanted animals that already burden the community. It is the mission of the E.B.R. Animal Control Center to protect and serve both the public and their animals through professional and compassionate enforcement of Title 14 of the Code of Ordinances (the Animal Control Ordinance ) and the use of sound animal control principles.

Items to Consider Before Adopting
Money

Can you afford to feed your pet?

It costs approximately $150 to feed a dog for a year (with the ever-rising cost of living, this rate will go up).

Have you thought about vet bills?

• Cats and dogs both need annual distemper shots.
• Cats and dogs will have to be vaccinated against rabies and checked for parasites regularly.
• Dogs need to be vaccinated against parvo and checked for heartworm yearly.
• Ear mites and fleas are other problems your pet may encounter.
• On top of all this, remember that accidents can happen at any time and emergency vet care could be required.

Time

• Do you have the time to provide your pet with adequate exercise every day?
• If you do not have a fenced yard, do you have the willingness and commitment to take your pet for daily walks?
• If you want your cat to go outside, they need to be leashed, trained, and taken for walks regularly.  You will need to clean up after them, both in your own yard and when you take them for walks.
• Cats should have their litter boxes cleaned at least every two days.
• Will you be able to spend time with your pet?  Cats and dogs need love and attention from you.
• Do you have time to housebreak your pet?  If you bring home a kitten or puppy, someone needs to be home with it to housebreak it.  A puppy can be especially time consuming.

Responsibility

Are you planning to keep this pet for its entire lifetime? 

Anything less is unfair to the animal.  Decide now, instead of realizing later you made a mistake.  A cat or dog can not understand when you tell it you do not want it anymore.

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