Adoption Policy
JAWS is a coalition of home-based fosters. Please be aware that all of fosters follow a standard process, application and fee but the meet and greet locations will be different based on the rescue that currently has the animal you are applying for.
Pets are fur-ever and represent a serious, life-long committment. All rescues require a completed application prior to a meet and greet for animals not in an adoption center (Petco, Rusty Cat Cafe).
The application includes two personal references and a veterinary reference. We will confirm that current and prior pets are up to date on vaccines and have been sterilized. If you do not currently have a vet we will need the information on the clinic you will be going to so that we verify they are taking new clients. Once approved, all animals establishing a new account at a vet office must be seen within 3 months to ensure follow through.
Dog applications require a home visit and we reserve the right to request home visits for any other animal.
We place our animals in the best possible homes for each one and not first come, first serve. To apply, submit an application through the animal you are most interested in - this doesn't mean you can't change if you find a different one to be a better fit.
All of our fosters follow a standard vetting protocol in which rescued animals are sterilized, flea treated, dewormed, vaccinated and treated for any obvious health problems. Our adoption fees help cover some of those costs, and donations are appreciated because veterinary costs are often higher than our adoption fees. However, most animals were rescued from the street, and thus they could have been exposed to viruses and/or bacteria prior to receiving core vaccines. Feline herpesvirus, for example, is extremely common in rescued animals, with a rate of 90% in studied populations. Disease symptoms for this virus are generally mild and usually manifest as cold-like symptoms, and we do not generally test for this virus because it is so common and most symptoms are mild. This is why we insist that all adopters fully vaccinate all of their personal animals they already own prior to adoption.
We always do our best to disclose all known medical issues about our animals. However, illnesses may lie dormant and emerge post-adoption, or be triggered by stress, including the stress of adoption and moving into a new home environment. All adopters assume that risk when adopting our animals, with the knowledge that our rescues comes from varied backgrounds and situations.
We think you should not shy away from our wonderful rescues for this reason. Indeed, the difficult life circumstances many of our animals have faced make them all special, unique and incredibly deserving of a chance at a loving home. Many of our rescues have experienced the worst that life can offer, and that makes them incredibly grateful, enjoyable and lovable pets.