FOSTER HOMES NEEDED FOR SEVERAL CATS NOW!!! We are currently in need of foster homes for some of our cats.  If you are able to help please fill out the on-line application.  If you can't foster, think about Sponsoring a Pet.

Free To A Good Home

Deciding to put a family pet up for adoption usually is a difficult decision to make and with that struggle comes the added strain of making sure your pet goes to not only a good home, but the right home.  With the increase of military deployments in the Onslow County area, the numbers of animals in need of both permanent and temporary homes has dramatically grown.  While there are organizations set up to assist specifically military in finding temporary foster homes for their pets during their course of duty, such as www.militarymascots.com, Carolina Animal Protection Society has been cautioned by members of the Humane Society of the United States about other organizations such as www.netpets.com.  In an attempt to relieve concerns about the previously mentioned website, Netpets was contacted by a member of Carolina Animal Protection Society and asked about the availability of foster homes in the Onslow County area, the screening process potential foster homes go through and the procedures involved with placing an animal in foster care.  Netpets has failed to reply after several months.  Carolina Animal Protection Society receives a multitude of phone and website requests for assistance with relocating pets to new homes.  Unfortunately, C.A.P.S. is unable to take many animals in to our programs.  With that in mind we have set up “courtesy pages” to post pictures and bios for animals in need, as well as other available resources and information to help.  Many think that once a willing family is found the struggle is over, but actually the hardest part has just begun.  Just because a person is interested in an animal does not mean that they are the right person for that pet and it certainly does not mean that they will have the best intentions for your pet.  There are many hazards in the Onslow County area for our pets that many aren’t aware of.  Puppies and kittens may be adopted only to become a meal for a snake or as a bait animal for dog fighting rings, un-spayed/neutered animals may be adopted for breeding purposes (even mixed breed puppies can be sold for a profit), there is also a person in our area who is licensed to sell animals to laboratories for experimentation.   People who do not have the best intentions for your pet typically portray themselves as animal lovers who are very eager to take your pet home.  The best way to ensure your animal goes to the right home is by carefully screening potential adopters.  The following is a list of tips to help people make sure pets go to the best possible home.

1. Take applications.  While this may sound like a tedious task just simply having a list of questions for potential families and asking them over the phone is still a helpful tool.  C.A.P.S. has a printable application to help.  Click here for application.
2. Visit the potential adopters home.  If a hopeful adoptive family does not agree with that, then they might not be the right home for your pet.
3. Check-up.  Ask hopeful families if they mind if you stay in contact with them and possibly stop by to visit to see how your pet is doing.
4. Do not do a same day adoption.  Give people at least 24 hours to think over whether or not they are ready for the commitment of a pet and whether or not your pet is the right pet for them.  This can help avoid a frantic phone call the day after adoption asking to return your pet and also give you a day to think over everything to make sure they are the perfect home.
5. Don’t Wait.  If you are moving or deploying, place your pet for adoption as soon as you find out.  Many people make the mistake of assuming that two weeks is more than enough time to find a home for a pet, but sadly may of the thousands of pets put down each year at the shelter bare the brunt of that mistake.
6. Don’t be afraid to say “NO”.  If for any reason you decide that a family is not the right family, say no.  You do not owe anyone a pet.  People may be upset because you turn them down, but just because they drove to your home to meet your pet does not mean that they are entitled to your pet.  Let people know you will not do same day adoptions. If they want to meet your pet in person, let them know ahead of time that they will not take your animal home that day, just so all party’s involved have time to think about the life long commitment they are about to make.
7. Use an adoption contract.  That way both parties agree to the care of the animal. Give one copy to the adopters so they will always have your contact info if needed and keep a copy for yourself so you can keep in touch and make sure your pet is adjusting well. If you would like a copy of an adoption contract, click here and simply print it out.