How To Adopt

Ready to adopt a pet? This is a great place to get started

Special Adoption Programs

Senior for a Senior

Cat Buddy

Included with
adoption fees:

• Spay or neuter surgery
• First set of vaccines
  (excluding Rabies)
• Complimentary veterinary exam-courtesy of local participating veterinarians **must be within 10 days of adoption
• De-worming
• Microchip identification
• Adoption information kit
• Pet Insurance (complimentary pet insurance for six weeks after adoption)
• Training DVD (cat/dog)
• Food & Gift Coupons from local suppliers
• ID Tag

Adopt

Falling in love with a pet is easy and pet ownership is very rewarding. Adopting a pet, however, is a big decision. Dogs, cats, and rabbits require a lot of time, money, and commitment. BRHA encourages you to think through your decision before you adopt a companion animal. Our experienced adoption counselors will gladly help you find an animal that's likely to be a good fit for your lifestyle and living arrangements.

Things to Consider

Because you are considering adoption from an animal shelter, we know you are a responsible and caring person. Here are some things to consider before you make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life:

Why do you want a pet?

It's amazing how many people do not ask themselves this simple question. Adopting a pet just because it's "the thing to do" or the children have been wanting a puppy or kitten can be a mistake. A pet is a long commitment--10, 15, even 20 years and is a member of your family.

Do you have time for a pet?

Dogs, cats, and other animal require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them.
Is your pet a good fit with your family and home? Please bring your entire family to the shelter to meet your new pet and make sure everyone gets along well. That includes not only children (some pets don't do well with young children) but your canine family members as well. BRHA can host "pet meets" in our “Meet & Greet Park.”

Can you have a pet where you live?

Pets may not be allowed at many rental communities or they may have restrictions or require an additional pet deposit. Make sure you know what the landlord’s requirements are before you come to adopt.

Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause?

Accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained or are confused, possible adjustments to your home and routine, scratched furniture and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership. An adjustment period between you and your family and your new friend takes patience and a commitment to gentle reward-based training.

Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet?

Pets like a predictable routine, and if your routine is changing--perhaps because of a new job, a new house, a new member of the family--waiting until your new routine is settled 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 often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are quite content to lie on a couch all day.

Are you willing to make your new dog or cat an involved member of your home and family?

Animals are not solitary beings. They are genetically taught to be part of a pack or group. You are becoming their pack now. They want to know they belong and are accepted into the family pack. When they are required to spend large amounts of time alone or kenneled, they feel banished from their pack; in the pack banished animals don’t survive. The perceived banishment can lead to behavior and problems. BRHA policy requires that an animal become an integral part of your lives and not left outside fulltime or tethered. (an exception may be some experienced barn cats) Include them in your lives and they will be a devoted friend.

Adoption Fees:

Bitter Root Humane Association Adoption Center exists on donations. All adoption fees allow us to continue our work to save animals and place them into their ‘forever homes.’ Ongoing expenses for each animal includes vaccinations, spaying/neutering, medical staff care, training … and right down to the heat and water bills. Staff provide ongoing supportive care, training, socialization for animals who don’t always come to us problem free. They need love, good food, support and yes, play to thrive. Our staff provides the continuity to keep all programs running including support and coordination for our volunteers.

Before adopting, ask yourself all of the above questions, and feel free to discuss these issues with an BRHA adoption counselor.

Search our shelter animals:

Dogs & Puppies

All of the dogs and puppies available for adoption at BRHA are listed at www.montanapets.org and at www.petango.com or www.petfinder.com. To learn about our adoption procedures, the benefits of adopting from BRHA, and how to place a temporary “hold” on an animal, visit the How to Adopt section.

Cats & Kittens

Adoption Discount:  When you take home two kittens, you'll save 50% on the second kitten. For adult cats, there is no adoption fee for the second pet.