| Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to make an appointment to come in and see a dog or cat?
A: No. You are welcome to come to the shelter at any time during business hours and see our pets available for adoption. Our business hours are 11am - 3pm Tuesday through Thursday, plus we are open an extra hour (11am - 4pm) on Friday and Saturday. Also, all of our pets are available to view at any time on this web site by clicking the "Our Pets" link at the top of each page. Each pets' bio includes at least one photo and all of the information we have on that specific pet. The pet bios are updated daily as we get more information on our pets and as we welcome new pets into our adoption program, so check back often.
Q: Why is your adoption fee so much? I could get a free dog or cat from the newspaper, so why should I pay $250 for a dog and $115 for a cat?
A: Some adopters may question why we charge what we do for an adoption fee, while they could go to the pound and get an animal for little or no money. However, they forget that the pet will then need vaccinations, medical care, and probably still need to be spayed or neutered. Most pounds do not provide these services, and these required services easily exceed our adoption fee.
When you buy a pet from a newspaper ad, you are encouraging casual and irresponsible breeding of dogs or cats, and in that way contributing to the pet overpopulation crisis in Atlanta today.
The bottom line: Your "free" pet may cost far more than you expect when you take your new pet to your veterinarian for an examination plus necessary vaccinations and treatment. In fact, you are likely to walk out with a bill somewhere between $100 and $300 and an appointment to return with your new "free" pet for its spay or neuter (and another $150-$400 fee for services). If there are other medical conditions that need attention (such as teeth cleaning, infections or wounds, ear infections or ear mites), you will have even more expenses.
Item and Value for dogs
First Veterinary office visit: $30 - $45
De-worming treatment /fecal check: $15 - $25
DHPP, Rabies and Bordetella Vaccinations: $45-$75
Heartworm testing: $30-45
Heartworm Preventative (per month): $5
Flea Preventative (per month): $15
Surgical Sterilization (Spay or Neuter): $150 - $400
Total Value: about $300 and up
Atlanta Pet Rescue's Adoption Fee: $250 ($300 for a large purebred dog)
Your savings: $50 and up
Our Adoption Fee for dogs includes:
De-worming treatment /fecal check
DHPP, Rabies and Bordetella Vaccinations
Heartworm testing
Heartworm Preventative (per month)
Flea Preventative (per month)
Surgical Sterilization (Spay or Neuter)
Grooming (if needed)
Bag of dog food
Leash
Collar
*Other medical care as needed while at Atlanta Pet Rescue, including but not limited to: ear mite prevention and treatment, extractions and other dental work as needed, antibiotics, treatment for mange and other skin infections, treatment for heartworms, and much more.
*Endless love in the form of warm laps, kisses, snuggles, ear scratches and belly rubs.
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Item and Value for cats
First Veterinary office visit: $30 - $45
De-worming treatment /fecal check: $15 - $25
Combo test (FeLV/FIV) : $35-50
Rabies testing: $12-25
FVRCP: $25-35
Flea Preventative (per month): $10
Surgical Sterilization (Spay or Neuter): $60-300
Total Value: about $200 and up
Atlanta Pet Rescue's Adoption Fee: $115
Your savings: $85 and up
Our Adoption Fee for cats includes:
De-worming treatment /fecal check
FVRCP and Rabies Vaccinations
Combo testing
Flea Preventative (per month)
Surgical Sterilization (Spay or Neuter)
Grooming (if needed)
Bag of cat food
Gift bag with toys
Collar
Temporary (cardboard) carrier if needed
*Other medical care as needed while at Atlanta Pet Rescue, including but not limited to: ear mite prevention and treatment, extractions and other dental work as needed, antibiotics, treatment for mange and other skin infections, treatment for ringworms, and much more.
*Endless love in the form of warm laps, kisses, snuggles, ear scratches and belly rubs.
Q: When I submit an application for a specific pet, does that mean you will hold the pet for me?
A: No. We do not hold pets at any time, for any reason. Submitting your application (whether it is for a specific pet or not) is just the first step in the process. Once we get your application and review it, someone will respond to you via email within 48 hours.
** Please note: If you have spam control or spam filter on your email account, please add our email address, info@atlantapetrescue.org, so that you can receive our response to your application. If you have not heard from us within 48 business hours please email or call us (404.815.6680) to verify that we have received your application.
If you bring your application to the shelter or complete it at the shelter, once you give it to a staff or volunteer adoption counselor, then it will be reviewed with you in person. We will discuss how to proceed with you depending on each individual circumstance. Pets will not be held for applicants appearing in person, but not ready to adopt at that time.
Q: I submitted my application online, now what?
A: Thank you for submitting an application to adopt a pet from Atlanta Pet Rescue. If you have spam control or spam filter on your email account, please add our email address, info@atlantapetrescue.org, so that you can receive our response to your application. If you have not heard from us within 48 business hours please email or call to verify that we have received your application.
We respond to every email and application, usually within 24 hours, but always within 48 hours. If you have emailed us and application (or other correspondence) and not received a response, please check your spam inbox or filter. If necessary, please call us at 404.815.6680, keeping in mind that most of our time is spent caring for the dogs and cats in our adoption program. We will do our absolute best to return your call promptly. However, email is the best way to reach us: info@atlantapetrescue.org.
Q: Where do your pets come from?
A: The majority of our pets come from outlying animal control facilities where they have run out of time. These facilities have limited means to hold pets for an extended period of time, and therefore, so many adoptable dogs are euthanisized because the facility is full or the pet is not considered adoptable after the required holding period. We also accept a small number of pets from owners who can no longer keep them. We do not accept stray animals.
Q: What type of pets do you take in?
A: Atlanta Pet Rescue is mainly a small dog rescue. Most of our available pets weigh less than 25 pounds. We accept dogs that pass a temperament test. These pets do not show signs of aggression towards people or other animals. We do accept dogs over 25 pounds on occasion. The reason for this is because larger dogs are more difficult to place due to the fact that many apartments and condominiums have weight limits on pets, and older citizens often prefer smaller pets because of the owner's strength limitations. We also have to limit the number of large dogs we accept into our program due to our own space limitations. We do not accept Pit Bulls or Pit Bull mixes.
Q: Where does your funding come from?
A: We are able to continue to rescue animals thanks to the generosity and support of our adopters and donors. Adoption fees alone do not provide the funding necessary to keep our doors open. We rely heavily on the help of the community in the form of tax-deductible donations. We accept both individual and business sponsorships and memberships, and have several events every year that help us sustain the operational cost of our shelter.
Q: How do I surrender a pet to Atlanta Pet Rescue?
A: To surrender your pet you must first email a photo and detailed description of the pet, along with an explanation of why you can no longer provide care for the animal. We do not consider walk-ins. You must first contact us and arrange a time to bring the pet for a temperament evaluation. Intakes are limited to the amount of space available in our shelter.
Q: What are your criteria for adoption?
A: We are looking for a permanent loving home for our pets, and adopters who are able to provide for them financially and emotionally and are willing to make them part of their families.
If you have any other questions, please email us at info@atlantapetrescue.org
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