Q. Is there a minimum age to adopt?
A. Yes, applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid form of identification.
Q. Can renters adopt?
A. Yes, however adopters must provide a landlord reference as well as a copy of their lease detailing the type, amount, age, and breed of animals you are allowed to keep.
Q. How long does the adoption process take?
A. You will hear back from us regarding your online application w/ in 48 hours. Applications done in person at our Adoption Center in Niles may be approved on the spot, or it may take the full 48 hours (depending on certain factors). Once you are approved and come to meet our pets at the Adoption Center in Niles, expect the entire process to take approximately 2 hours. Please have the time available to speak with our adoption specialists and go through our orientation program. Adding a pet to your family is a big decision and not something to rush through.
Q. What are the fees associated with adoption?
A. To read about our adoption fees, and what they include, click here.
Q. When do I take home my pet?
A. Adopters must be able to take the pet home on the day of adoption. If you place a pet on reserve in advance, you must be available to meet that pet the day is is released for adoption.
Q. What do you require to be approved for adoption?
A. There are not necissarily right or wrong answers. Our application process enables us to ask the adopter about their previous pet experience and details regarding the type of home they are able to provide a pet in need. Please answer honestly as these questions allow us to appropriately match you with a suitable pet. As our main focus is the well-being of our pets, we reserve the right to deny any application, for any reason.
Q. What will I need to pick up my newly adopted pet?
A. Click here for a list of items we reccomend you purchase at the time of adoption. All adopters must present a valid drivers lisence or state ID. A copy of your mortgage statement or lease will also be needed. We require that dogs and puppies leave with a leash and collar on. We also require that cats/kittens leave in a crate or carrier. These rules help us ensure the safety of our new pets arriving to their new home. We also require that adopters purchase a small bag of the Canidae canine or feline food that our pets are accustomed to eating. Certain pets may also be on canned food or supplements which we ask they be continued on for a minimum of their first week in a new home. Sudden changes in diet, along with the stress of a new environment, can be a dangerous combination for adopted pets. Canidae pet food, leashes, collars, crates/carriers, bowls, toys, and all the essentials will be available out Muttzie's Boutique. A portion of all proceeds go directly back to helping rescue more animals.
Q. Where do the pets available for adoption come from?
A. We accept our puppies, dogs, cats and kittens from rural animal control facilitites in Central and Southern IL and KY. Pets in rural areas are turned in at alarming rates and they have very little chance of ever leaving animal control once there. There are countless puppies euthanized each day throughout the midwest. People are often surprised to hear that is is common for a healthy, happy litter of 8 week old puppies to face an uncertain future. Sadly this is normal in these rural areas. Our goal is to shed light on this and help as many as we can through an aggresive adoption program and low-cost spay/neuter in these rural areas. Once an animal is take from an animal control facility, they are taken to our Intake and Quarantine Facility in Murphysboro IL where they reamain until they are temperament tested, vaccinated, and held for a set amount of time to ensure they are healthy and ready for adoption.
