Gateway Pet Guardians

Gateway Pet Guardians Adoption Policy

Puppy Adoption Fee: $195

Adult Dog Adoption Fee: $150

Cat or Kitten Adoption Fee: $100

Adoption fees help Gateway Pet Guardians cover the costs associated with veterinary care while the animal is still in his or her foster environment. Before you adopt one of our pets, it will already be spayed/neutered and up to date on shots. We take very good care of our foster animals and all ailments are treated to the best of our ability.

Step 1: Download and complete appropriate adoption application (see below)

Step 2: Email completed application to adopt@gatewaypets.com

Step 3: The animal’s Foster parent will contact you regarding your adoption application within 24-72 hours and explain the adoption   process in detail. We do extensive personal and vet reference checks, home visits, etc. Our animals have had a rough life up until now, and we want to be sure that the rest of it will be smooth sailing.

Step 4: The Foster parent will process your adoption application and stay in touch with you during each phase.  Our entire adoption process may take one to two weeks.

Step 5: If all vet references, personal references, and home visits are passed with flying colors, the Foster parent will contact you to arrange a time to fill out the final adoption paperwork, and you may take home your new furry family member.

 

Dog Adoption Application

Cat Adoption Application

The fact that you’re thinking about adopting from an animal rescue means you’re a responsible and caring person. But before you make the decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions:

Why do you want a pet? It’s amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they adopt a pet. Adopting a pet is a long-term commitment. Adopting a dog or cat just because it’s “the thing to do” or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don’t forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.

Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you’re tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year-just like having a child. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn’t realize how much time it took to care for them.

Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high at times. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.

Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren’t yet house trained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.

Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don’t allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.

Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you’re a student, in the military, travel frequently as part of your work, or plan on having a child some time soon, waiting until you settle down is wise.

Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active-they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research. That way, you’ll ensure you choose an animal who will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.

Do you know who will care for your pet while you’re away on vacation? You’ll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.

Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.

Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.

Sure, it’s a long list of questions, but a quick stroll through an animal shelter will help you understand answering them before you adopt is so important.

Many of the shelter’s homeless animals are puppies and kittens, victims of irresponsible people who allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many dogs and cats at the shelter who are more than a year old-animals who were obtained by people who didn’t think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they adopted the animal.

Please, don’t make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you’re willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love for the life of the pet.