1. I submitted my application—what now?

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Once an application is submitted, it is reviewed by our adoption team, and they will reach out via email to discuss next steps.

• Like the rest of Animal House, our adoption team is supported by volunteers and responses may take 5-10 business days depending on the time of the year.

• Applications must be completely filled out with accurate and up-to-date information. Incomplete applications will not be processed until completed. 

• Applications must be submitted for a specific adoptable animal. Multiple selections may be made on one application.

• Questions about this process may be sent to our adoption team at adopt@ahsem.org.

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2. What is a meet and greet? Do I need to bring anything?

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A meet and greet is a scheduled visitation with an adoptable animal promoted on our PetFinder profile or social media, and who is not currently residing at our physical location. Meet and greets are scheduled with the volunteer who is currently fostering the adoptable animal of your choice.

• If you schedule a meet and greet, please arrive to the store at your scheduled time with both the name of the adoptable animal and the name of the foster to help our volunteers best support you. Please be patient and kind to our volunteers who are there to clean as they do their best to support you.

• Most meet and greets are scheduled at PetSmart and some are scheduled at a foster home when appropriate.

• A meet and greet is your opportunity to ask questions about an animals personality, needs, and history. Don't be shy!

• We encourage prospective adopters to bring all household members to a meet and greet.

• No need to bring anything else—we'll supply toys and treats to foster interaction.

 

Please keep in mind that a meet and greet can be a potentially stressful situation for an animal and their behavior during these appointments is not necessarily reflective of their behavior in a comfortable home—especially if they are not used to travel or the store. Patience, compassion, and time make the difference. ​

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3. What happens if an animal isn't a good fit?

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Every Animal House adoption begins with a foster-to-adopt trial period for two weeks. This allows both the animal and you to adjust and get acquainted. We strive to place animals with a home that matches their personality and needs to the best of our knowledge. This trial period gives the animal time to decompress and adapt to their new environment.

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We know that sometimes things don't go as planned. If and when it becomes clear that an adoption is not a fit during this period, animals can be returned to the rescue. Trial periods can also be extended if more time is needed. 

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At Animal House, our commitment to our animals is lifelong—adopted animals can always be surrendered back to the rescue at any point. Life happens, circumstances change, and our goal is to ensure animals never end up in unsafe situations.

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4. Can I adopt an animal as a surprise or gift for my loved one?

 

The thought of surprising a loved one with a new furry friend is lovely, but our policy requires that the person who is ultimately going to be responsible for the animal and their care be involved in the adoption process. Unfortunately, animals given as gifts are often relinquished or returned, which does not support our mission to place animals in safe forever homes.

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5. Most of your cats are listed as domestic short hair (DSH) or domestic long hair (DLH)—what does that mean?

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Cat breeds are not like dog breeds and identification is unreliable as most lack pedigree. Cats are typically classified as domestic short, medium, or long haired. Color types like calico, tabby, or tortie describe their appearance rather than their breed.

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Visual breed identification in cats is unreliable, as most lack a pedigree and cannot be accurately identified by breed. We encourage choosing a cat based on individual personality and qualities rather than relying on breed labels, which are often best guesses made by our veterinarian partners. This approach is standard practice across rescues throughout the US.