Adoption Process & Return Policy

Adoption Process:

Visitors are always welcome to see our viewable dogs and cats and do a walkthrough of our kennels and cat room from Tuesday-Saturday 12:00pm-4:00pm to see if there are any animals that catch their eyes! Feel free to call in about any of our animals or come to the front desk and ask our office workers any questions you may have!

1. Adoption questionnaire:

Fill out an adoption questionnaire online or in person and have a conversation with our front office by calling (707) 442-1782. Once completed, your application will be valid for one year. You can also fill out a paper adoption application and have the consultation in person with us at our front office from 12:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesday-Thursday if you prefer that method.

Pets posted on our website are currently available to go home (although they may be on ‘hold’ with a potential adopter who has a scheduled appointment for a Meet and Greet). View them now by clicking here.

2. Meet and greet:

Let us know who you are interested in adopting and place a hold on the animal for 1 business day to meet with them without a hold fee. We also accept walk-in Meet and Greets once your application and consultation are completed, but we cannot guarantee immediate service to walk-ins. Call (707) 442-1782 - please leave a voicemail if we do not get to your call.

After meeting with a pet, you may place a free hold on the animal for to 1 business day before confirming your decision. All holds are 24 hours unless otherwise stated by the office. If you are happy with the pet you have met, we can complete your adoption.

If you plan on adopting another pet as well, you will need to submit an additional application. Please call (707) 442-1782 for any questions.

We ask that all humans of the household visit with pets prior to adoption; however, some exceptions may apply. If you plan on adopting a dog and already have a dog at home, we may ask you to bring them to the shelter to introduce them.

Please note that in some cases we receive an animal with special needs. You will be informed prior to placing a hold on an animal if this is the case.

If your hold on an animal for the initial business day runs out- you may always pay an extra hold fee of $30.00 a night to ensure that the animal does not get adopted in the meantime. Give us a call at (707)-442-1782 to book your hold for longer.

3. Bringing your new friend home:

The adoption fee covers all tests, vaccinations (additional $15-20 charge for Rabies given at the Shelter) and the care that animals have received.

Each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped.

All applicable adoption processing donations must be paid at the time of adoption. The adoption fee is a donation that is non-refundable.

Return Policy:

We will accept animals back within 2 weeks after adoption if we have open kennel space.

However, your adoption donation will not be refunded. After the 2 week period animals may be put on our waiting list to be surrendered back to us. We do ask that adopters always contact us if, for any reason, they can no longer keep a pet that was adopted from our shelter. Nonetheless, we cannot guarantee to take that animal back into our adoption program at the time you are looking to rehome it.

Cat Vaccine:

Rabies

Sequoia Humane Society administers the Rabies (if 6 months or older) and FVRCP vaccines to its cats.

FVRCP

FVRCP is an acronym for the standard cat vaccine, also called “the feline distemper vaccine”, given to cats and kittens throughout their lives as part of a preventative health program and considered, along with the Rabies vaccine, as a Core (very important) vaccine.

FVR

The feline Rhinotracheitis virus is a viral infectious respiratory disease caused by feline herpesvirus type 1. This virus is an extremely common cause of respiratory disease and often results in chronic, often life-long, infection with intermittent recurrences causing respiratory and sometimes eye disease. It is spread easily through airborne respiratory secretions and direct contact with a carrier cat or contaminated objects. Unvaccinated cats are most susceptible as well as the very young and the very old.

C

Calicivirus is a common viral infectious respiratory disease, can also cause mouth sores resulting in severe oral pain. Spread by direct contact with an infected cat or by contact with contaminated objects. The virus is very resistant to disinfectants and persists in the environment. Unvaccinated and inadequately vaccinated cats of all ages are at risk.

P

Panleukopenia is a severe, highly infectious and sometimes fatal disease of the gastrointestinal tract, the immune system and the nervous system. The disease is named for the characteristic severe decrease in white blood cells, the body’s defense against disease. The virus is very persistent in the environment. This virus spreads by direct contact with infected cats or by contact with viral particles in the environment. Unvaccinated and inadequately vaccinated cats of all ages are at risk.

Dog Vaccine:

Rabies

Sequoia Humane Society administers DA2PP, Bordetella, and Rabies to its dogs.

DA2PP

DA2PP is a combination vaccine for your dog that protects against four primary canine diseases -- distemper, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza and parvovirus.

Distemper

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral illness similar to the measles in humans. Your dog can contract the virus through direct contact with an infected animal or through indirect contact such as with bedding or food bowls used by infected animals or wildlife feces. Symptoms include a high fever, weakness, coughing, vomiting and diarrhea. As the disease progresses, it attacks the nervous system and may cause seizures and paralysis. In certain strains of distemper, hardening of the foot pads may occur. The severity of the disease depends on the strain and the age of the dog. For adult dogs, the mortality rate is less than 50 percent. For puppies, however, the mortality rate is as high as 80 percent.

Adenovirus-2 and Parainfluenza

Adenovirus-2 and parainfluenza are two different viruses that can play roles in kennel cough. So can the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica. Symptoms include loud coughs, runny noses and mucus discharge, wheezing and decreased appetite. No treatment is available for the viral infections. Antibiotics and cough suppressants treat secondary bacterial infections and treat symptoms.

Parvovirus

Parvovirus is a fast-acting virus with a high mortality rate. The virus can survive in the environment for up to a year, so just a simple walk around the block is enough for your dog to contract the virus when he stops to sniff where another dog may have been. Symptoms begin with a loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. A strong, distinctive odor is present; the stool may contain mucus or blood. Puppies are more commonly affected and are at higher risk of mortality, though parvovirus can affect dogs of any age. There is no cure, but early treatment with intravenous fluids increases the chance of survival. With most cases, the survival rate is 70 percent.

Bordetella

Kennel cough, the common name given to infectious canine tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease among dogs. As the name suggests, it is typified by inflammation of the trachea and bronchi. This disease is found throughout the world and is known to infect a high percentage of dogs at least once during their lifetime. It is also sometimes referred to as bordetellosis. Young puppies often suffer the most severe complications that can result from this disease since they have immature immune systems. Also at increased risk are older dogs, who may have decreased immune capabilities, pregnant bitches, who also have lowered immunity, and dogs with preexisting respiratory diseases.