Making a Difference, One day at a Time!!

Thank you for your interest in Critter Care.  Please read all of this page carefully before you make any decisions about adopting a rescue companion.  We have carefully designed the following procedures for the protection of our companion animals as well as yours.  The purpose of our procedures is to insure the safety and proper/permanent placement of our babies. 

Adoption Steps and Procedures

In order to adopt a companion from Critter Care you must comply with the following list of requirements before your application will be considered (NO EXCEPTIONS):

  • Fill out our Online Application (link is on the left) or request one be sent to you via email.  Applications must be complete.  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed nor kept.
  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Financially able to take care of all medical costs that may incur during the life of your new companion.  (You or your spouse/significant other must be employed and be able to verify employment)
  • Agree to a home visit/check by Critter Care representative (s) or other agent contracted by Critter Care to visit on our behalf.  Example, out of state adoption, home visits will be conducted by other rescues/individuals (in your area) qualified to represent Critter Care.
  • You must provide proof of residency (valid drivers license, utility bill, etc.) during the above home visit.
  • If you are renting you must (no exceptions) have the knowledge and written consent from your landlord/owner of the premises where the companion will be kept.  All information on the consent will be verified by Critter Care prior to approval of your application.  (no exceptions)
  • You must bring with you ALL parties (those living in your household) with you to meet any possible adoptee.
  • We do not ship nor transport our animals so all applicants MUST be willing to drive to Blackstone, VA for the adoption process. (NO EXCEPTIONS)
  • If married, you must BOTH agree to the terms of this adoption and BOTH must sign the adoption agreement.
  • You must have no prior record of abuse or neglect to either human or animal.
  • CATS/KITTENS: De-clawing of our cats/kittens is strictly prohibited.  You will be asked to sign our de-claw agreement along with the adoption agreement.  We usually have previously de-clawed/owner surrendered cats available and you may choose from these.
  • VET REFERENCE IS A MUST unless you have had no prior animals.  Anyone with present pets must have UP TO DATE vet care.  If your present animals are not up to date on vaccines your application will not be considered, absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS.  Vet references tell us how you care for your present pets and are our first contact in reviewing your application.  You MUST list ALL prior pets when filling out your application.
  • Critter Care WILL NOT ADOPT to a home with unaltered pets, if you have unaltered pets you must have them spayed/neutered prior to applying to adopt from us.  Behavior issues can and do present themselves with unaltered pets.

After Application Approval:

  • You must understand that adoption donations are non-refundable.
  • Puppies/Kittens-  You must sign a spay/neuter contract stating that you will have this companion altered within 30 days of appropriate age.  Contracts will have a specific date listed.  All local adoptions- Critter Care will set up an appointment for spay/neuter with our vet.  You will be responsible for transporting your companion to this vet and pay a reduced rate for spay/neuter, this does not include a rabies vaccination for which you will be responsible.  Failure to keep this appointment without prior notice will result in termination of your adoption contract and removal of this companion from your home. (no exceptions)
  • You must understand that if an adoption contract is terminated (for reasons other than the companion failed to adjust after the 2 month adjustment period) you will no longer be permitted to seek adoption from Critter Care.
  • You must agree to a 2 month adjustment period for this companion.
  • You must sign a contract stating that if for ANY reason you can not keep this companion, you will contact Critter Care for help in rehoming this companion.  Critter Care companions will not be placed in other homes without all of the above requirements being met.

Post Adoption:

  • We may require a follow-up home visit (within the first 6 months) to verify the status of any companion adopted from Critter Care.
  • We will also call or email frequently within the first 6 months to check on this companion.
  • Failure to comply with our requests could result in termination of the original adoption contract and IMMEDIATE removal of the companion animal from your home.

Important Information:

You must be aware that companions for adoption from Critter Care are from various sources.  They may have been strays, abandoned, or reluctantly given up by their former owners.  While we make every attempt to screen all incoming animals for health and temperament problems, frequently we have no background information provided to us regarding these characteristics.  Thus, as with any shelter or humane organization, there is some risk in adopting a companion from Critter Care.  All companions adopted from Critter Care receive proper vaccinations, testing (immediately), de-worming, temperament tested and are altered (if age appropriate) prior to adoption.  However, certain types of problems may not demonstrate themselves during the time in which the companion's adoption is pending.  For this reason we cannot guarantee the health or temperament of any companion.  All of our intakes are tested with children and will be listed as such on our site, but keep in mind that all children are not the same and some that are good with our children may not be appropriate with yours.  This is why it is so important that all family members meet this companion prior to adoption.

As a potential adopter, please be aware that most companions listed for adoption will need an abundance of patience, understanding, time, training and most of all love to make them agreeable companions.  If you are not willing to provide the extra amount of effort needed to give a homeless animal a permanent and loving home, please consider whether or not a companion animal is suitable for your home.

Our rescued companions are primarily mixed breeds.  Therefore, we cannot guarantee the adult size of the puppies and kittens that come to our shelter.  Our listings are all "best guess" based on appearance or information we have received prior to intake.

Critter Care does not discriminated based on race, religion, origin or sexual preference.  Our decisions are based on verifiable information, compatability and ability to provide proper care for a companion animal.

Critter Care has the full authority to approve or deny your application if all requirements are not met.  We also reserve the right to verify all information submitted on your application including but not limited to:

  • Veterinary Information
  • Employment
  • Home Visits
  • Criminal Check

Adoption Fees:

Microchipping is available for an additional charge, by request after all adoption procedures are complete.

Cats/Kittens:

(Only FELV/FIV negative cats/kittens are accepted at Critter Care so all are tested prior to intake)

A minimum donation of $65.00 is required (larger donations are greatly appreciated as this minimum does not cover the costs we have incurred)  This fee includes the following:

  • FELV/FIV testing
  • De-worming
  • 4 way vaccines
  • Rabies vaccine, over 4 months of age
  • Spay/neuter

Kittens that have not been spayed or neutered will have an adoption fee of $35 with a spay/neuter contract.

Keep in mind that de-clawing of any CC cat is strictly prohibited.

Dogs/Puppies:

Dogs 6 months and older:

Female minimum donation $150

Male minimum donation $130

Adoption minimum donations include the following:

  • spay or neuter
  • 3Dx Combo test for Heartworm, Ehclichia, and Lyme 
  • Rabies 1 year vaccine
  • Deworming
  • Vaccines for: Parvovirus, Leptospira, Distemper, Hepatitis-Parainfluenza
  • Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine

Puppies:

  • $65.00 minimum donation.  This fee includes 1st vaccine and dewormings.
  • $75.00 minumum donation.  This fee includes 1st and 2nd vaccines and dewormings. 
  • $25.00 will be added on age appropriate Heartworm tested puppies.
  • All puppies are bathed and nail trimmed upon arrival and departure.
  • Puppies younger than 6 weeks of age will required a $25 deposit to reserve the puppy until adoption.  After an application is approved, the potential adopter will be sent a certificate of approval.  This certificate with deposit must be mailed in and received no later than 7 days after approval or the puppy will be relisted and made available to the next approved application.

**IMPORTANT**  All companions, cat/kitten/dog/puppy, must be spayed/neutered within 30 days of adoption if 6 months of age or older, cats 4 months of age or older.  All puppies under the age of 6 months must be spayed/neutered within 30 days of their 6 month birthday (kittens 4 month birthday).  Proof of spay/neuter must be submitted within 30 days of procedure.   Failure to provide us with this information could result in termination of the adoption contract and removal of the companion animal.