Adoption Policies, Terms & Requirements

AGE OF ADOPTERS
Adopters must be 18 years or older and present a valid ID.
HART seeks to adopt to those who are financially secure and in a stable living situation in order to maximize the likelihood of a lifelong bond. Older teens, newly on their own, or still living with parents, may find themselves, in a year or two, making life changes that result in their no longer being able to care for their pet. Because of these reasons and as our desire is to find forever homes for our cats we have implemented 18 as a minimum age to adopt. Additionally, as there may be, at some time, significant veterinary costs involved with any pet, we ask that people adopt only if they are adults, have seriously evaluated the meaning of a twenty-year commitment and are financially able to bear the cost of future emergencies.​

OTHER PETS
We do our best to place each cat into a home where the family bond can be successful. To that end, our adoption process includes specific advice regarding introduction to other pets. It is possible that the cat in whom you are interested, may not be deemed an appropriate match for your furry family. If that is the case, please understand the decision was made in the best interest of the cat and your other pets. All resident pets must be spayed or neutered prior to an adoption from HART.

HOLDS/RESERVING A CAT
A reservation (or hold) of a cat, may be placed once you have submitted your application, it has been approved, and you have met the cat you are interested in adopting. Once a reservation is placed on an animal, it will be for no more than 7 days (except during some special events, such as medical holds, staffing, etc.). Reserving a cat requires an up-front, in-person payment of the full adoption fee. This fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. HART reserves the right to deny an adoption after a hold is placed if it is deemed in the best interest of the animal and/or parties involved. At the time of a denied adoption, it is up to the discretion of HART management whether a hold fee is refunded. Holds are not available for cats and kittens at offsite adoption centers or in foster care. All adoptions are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

INDOOR HOMES
HART believes that indoor cats are much safer and live longer. Cats who go outdoors are at risk of bad outcomes because of vehicles, dogs, bad weather, wildlife, parasites, and spoiled food. Outdoor cats can be mistaken for strays and they are at risk of getting lost, chased, trapped, or being taken to a shelter. Unfortunately, many pet owners do not tag or microchip their cats and it is hard to determine if a found cat is a stray. Many cats who are lost never find their way home. To assure that your cat remains safe, keep it indoors. A cat will be happy inside if you provide climbing posts, toys, bird feeders, daily play, and lots of love. HART adopts its cats with the understanding that the cats will remain indoor cats so that they may live long, happy lives. HART requires that adopters keep their cats indoors.

DECLAWING - Hart DOES NOT condone declawing. 
Why is declawing bad? Declawing can cause paw pain, back pain, infection, tissue necrosis (tissue death), and can lead to behavioral issues, arthritis, and lameness. Removing claws changes the way a cat's foot meets the ground and can cause pain like wearing a very uncomfortable pair of shoes. Improperly removed claws can regrow, causing nerve damage and bone spurs. Ouch! Read more at declawing.com

Instead, we recommend keeping nails clipped short (just below where the nail turns pink - to avoid bleeding) with appropriate nail clippers. Provide plenty of adequate scratching posts - at least 3 feet tall to help with stretching. We LOVE cardboard scratchers with catnip - and so do our kitties!

KITTEN ADOPTIONS
HART reserves the right to not place a single kitten into a home without an appropriate young feline playmate or another animal companion. Kittens under 4 1/2 months of age are to be paired up at adoption when there are no other pets in the household. Our extensive experience has shown that adopting a single kitten, instead of in pairs, may lead to the development of certain behavioral problems and attention-seeking behaviors that are far from ideal. These issues can include biting, inappropriate urination, and defecation, as well as the onset of depression, reduced appetite, and increased anxiety. Our Kitten Adoption Team will work with you to determine the best fit for your family.

FIV-POSITIVE CATS
HART has a number of FIV-positive cats available for adoption. The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus compromises a cat’s immune system, but FIV-positive cats can live relatively long and healthy lives. FIV is not contagious to other species and is not easily spread between cats. In most cases, FIV-positive cats can live with FIV-negative cats. 

LANDLORD APPROVAL
Since we want to make lifelong placements for our cats, we ask that adopters make sure their landlord allows cats and to pay any pet deposits in advance of adopting. HART will perform a check with your landlord during the application process. 

RETURNING A CAT
We want every adoption to be for life, but sometimes situations change. Whether the adoption happened days, weeks, or years ago, and you can no longer keep your HART cat, we require the cat or kitten to be returned to us and not sold or re-homed. Please reach out to us directly at 207-829-4116 if you need to return a cat or kitten adopted from HART.

LIFETIME COMMITMENT
HART expects that when you adopt a pet you have made a decision to care for that pet for its entire life. A cat may be a 20-year commitment. Please think through this extremely important decision before you come to the shelter. A pet becomes a family member. A responsible pet owner/guardian makes life decisions to include their pets. Our goal is PERMANENT placement. For this reason, our Adoption Team has been trained to help you find the right pets for your home and your lifestyle, and reserves the right to approve or disapprove any adoptions.

Consider your Lifestyle:
Whether you are considering a cat or a kitten, ask yourself a few basic questions:

  • Do you have the time to commit, not only to the cat’s basic needs, but also to building a great relationship with your cat?

  • Are you financially able to provide quality food, supplies and veterinary care for your cat?  

  • Does anyone in your family have allergies?

  • Will the cat be well-suited to all members of the household?

  • Are you looking for a cat that has a lot of energy to match your lifestyle or one that is more laid back?

  • Do you plan to move or have children in the near future?

ADOPTION TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS:

  • Be 18 years of age or older

  • Have identification showing your present address and age

  • If renting, you must have the knowledge and consent of your landlord. You must have paid any additional security fees and you must be willing to pay any additional rent. We will contact your landlord or property management company to confirm this.

  • Any cats currently in your home must be spayed or neutered and be current on vaccines. We will contact your vet to confirm this information..

  • A commitment to care for your pet for its entire life, and be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide medical treatment and proper care for your adopted cat, and:

    • Provide your pet with annual veterinarian visits

    • Provide your pet with a full set of vaccinations and inoculations recommended by your veterinarian and as required by law

    • Provide your pet with other veterinary care as needed

    • Agree to keep your cat indoors

    • Commitment to never declaw your cat

  • If you need to surrender or rehome your cat, you must return it to HART, and not transfer ownership to anyone other than HART.

  • No animal will be adopted as a gift for another person. 

HART reserves the right to deny an adoption at any time.