1. Where do the animals come from?

            The animals in our shelter come from several places. Most puppies come from high kill, gassing shelters in the southern US. The pet overpopulation problem is horrendous down south and we are trying to save them from a terrible fate by giving them a second chance at life. Every day we get hundreds of emails filled with pleading faces staring at us from the screen and we have the horrible task of choosing who we can save and who we cannot. Once we commit to saving their lives we pull them and put them into rescue. Arrangements are made to transport them up to the northeast. We also take in animals from owners who can no longer take care of their pet for one reason or another, when we have room.

 

2. Why are adoption fees so high?

             Our adoption fees help cover the shelters everyday running expenses such as medical care for all our animals, food and litter,  electric, heat, telephone, medicines, vaccines, disinfectant, veterinarian fees, transportation costs and much more. We get no federal, state or local funding. The fee also helps care for the animals at our shelter who may never get adopted. Our doors stay open only by the kindness of others.

 

3. What kind of care do you give these animals before adopting them out?

              All the puppies coming from the south are put into foster care as soon as they are pulled from their local shelter.They are vet checked, de-wormed and given their first set of shots prior to transport. Each and every puppy or dog that come from the south comes with a health certificate, which you are welcome to see.

After they arrive at our shelter they are fecal tested, parvo tested, vet checked again by our shelter vet and updated on any further vaccines and medical records.

 

4. What kind of dog am I adopting? My vet says it's a different breed the what you told me.

            The vast majority of the time we can only guess at what the breed is by looking at it or what we are told prior to arriving at the shelter. We usually go by what the first attending vet put on the health certificate. Most of these dogs are mixes of mixes and can have a dozen different breeds in that mix. Vets do not have any better a crystal ball then we do at guessing. We like to call these dogs "All American Breeds". Occasionally we do know who mom and dad were but that is the exception more than the rule.

 

5. How do I know what vaccinations my pet received before I got him/her?

             You receive a medical history sheet that has all shot dates, tests and worming medications your pet got prior to your adoption.

 

6. What happens if my dog/cat doesn't feel well after I bring him/her home?

            We try very hard to only adopt out healthy animals but, especially with babies, they occasionally get sick.  It is often much better for the babies to be in a more relaxed environment to make a quick improvement. However, there are times when the puppy or kitten seemed healthy at the shelter and within a few days of going home, becomes sick. If this happens then we are to be immediately notified so you can make arrangements to be seen by a vet or our vet Dr. Julie Cornell. Dr. Julie is on call 24/7 for emergencies. 

 

7. If my puppy/kitten got shots then how could he/she get sick?

           NO ANIMAL LEAVES THIS SHELTER WITHOUT AGE APPROPRIATE SHOTS!!! Having said that it should be understood that one shot in itself does not immunize puppies or kittens, under 12 weeks of age, 95% of the time. That is why we stress making sure the entire series of shots is given before taking the baby out into the world. We also encourage you to come to our clinic so we can guide you during the first six months of your pets life.

 

8. Why do we have to follow up with our vet if they have been dewormed? 

           While we de-worm and do fecal exams on all our animals, in most cases one worming is not enough. We feel it is in the animal's best interest to follow up to make sure they are free from parasites. Sometimes it can take up to two months to make sure the animal is free from parasites. It is because of this we offer a second fecal with each adoption as well as a worming.

 

9. Are any of your animals spayed or neutered?

            Quite simply, the vast majority of our adult animals are already spayed or neutered at the time of adoption. The exception to this is if the animal has not been with us long enough for arrangements to be made or if it has an existing condition like heartworm that would make it unwise to perform the procedure. Very young animals are not spayed or neutered prior to adoption. We feel it is best the animal reaches an age of at least six months of age in order to avoid problems that can occur when they are very young.

        

10. Why do you give a breeding control coupon with adoptions?

           Our breeding control coupon is given at the time of adoption to help defray your cost of spaying or neutering the puppy or kitten you adopt. When you adopt you sign a contract agreeing to spay or neuter the animal when it reaches the age of 6 months or within 30 days of that age. Adirondack Save A Stray is very committed to controlling the pet, overpopulation problem.