Frequently Asked Questions About Adopting from Coastal Pet Rescue

Select Your Question:

 

 

Where may I see the pets available for adoption?


Coastal Pet Rescue does not have a shelter. Our pets are all in foster homes. Appointments for meet and greets will only be set after an adoption applications has been completed and reviewed by our adoption coordinator. Pets appear at one to two public events per month. Visit our events calendar for dates.

Why do I have to fill out an adoption application?


Coastal Pet Rescue puts much more than just money into our pets. They are treated as a member of their foster family. We want to ensure that the pet you want to adopt is the right fit for your family as well. We use the applications, vet reference check and in-home interview to ensure this.

How long before I may adopt my pet?


Our organization is run by volunteers only. We do not have any paid staff. As such, applications are reviewed after 6 pm, and adoptions may take 5 to 10 days to complete. This may seem like a long time for you, however, we want to ensure our pets are going to the best home for them. Please be patient.

What is a home visit and why is it required?


A home visit is an in-home pre-adoption interview. You will be visited by a Coastal Pet Rescue volunteer and usually the pet you are wanting to adopt. This is to verify the information provided on the adoption application as well as explain our adoption policies. This also allows you to see how the pet may behave in the new environment.

Will the pet be spayed or neutered?


Per Georgia state law and Coastal Pet Rescue's mission, all pets are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Your adoption fee covers part of the cost of the spay or neuter.

What if my current pets are not spayed or neutered?


If the current pets in your home are not currently spayed or neutered, we will deny the application. Many territorial and behavior issues are related to unsterilization, and it can cause issues when a new pet is brought into the home. If you are interested in having your pet spayed/neutered so that you may adopt one of our pets, we will happily reconsider your application once proof of spay is provided. You may arrange for a low-cost surgery through the Spay/Neuter Alliance and Clinic in Ridgeland, SC (they do offer free transports in certain areas).

Why is the adoption fee so high?


Coastal Pet Rescue charges $100 for puppy/dog adoptions and $80 for cat/kitten adoptions. The fee only covers a portion of our investment into the care of your adopted pet. Your pet has been part of a foster home environment where they have received love, socialization and training. In addition, pets are current on all vaccinations as needed for their age unless otherwise noted, microchipped, and spayed/neutered prior to adoption, which averages $350 per pet. In the case of pets who have been treated for heartworms, this cost runs $300 to $600 per treatment. Taking all the costs of feeding and other supplies as well, our adoption fee is really very minimal.

What if my pet gets sick after the adoption?


You are responsible for all medical care after the adoption agreement is signed, unless other arrangements have been made. Each adopter has the option to purchase a pet insurance policy from Shelter Care which covers various illnesses due to parasites, worms or even eating objects they shouldn't. You will receive copies of all veterinary records with your adoption contract so that your vet will know your pet's medical history.

If there are any health concerns with the pet you are adopting, the pet will remain in our care until our vet has given a clean bill of health. This may include kennel cough, skin issues, and parasites. Additionally, no pet will be released for adoption until after the spay and neuter has been completed. This is in accordance with Georgia state laws regarding sterilization of pets from animal shelters and rescues.

More information >>>

Why is my pet microchipped?


All pets that are rescued through Coastal Pet Rescue are microchipped with 24PetWatch technology. This is a special program for shelter pets that provides information for your pet to be returned to you if he gets lost and ends up at animal control, a veterinary office or another rescue. 24PetWatch does not charge for registration or updating your information.

More information >>>

Do you allow for out-of-area adoptions?


We do allow for adoptions to homes outside of the Savannah area, however, it may take longer for the adoption to take place due to the time involved in locating a rescuer in your area to conduct the pre-adoption home visit on our behalf. Additionally, we will not ship pets. You will need to make arrangements to meet with one of our adoption coordinators to complete the adoption. Adoptions will be granted only in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.

We want a pet, but not indoors.


If you are intending to keep the pet as a yard pet, we will typically deny the application. Our pets are raised as indoor animals, and our foster homes spend a tremendous amount of time socializing them as such. In some cases, we receive pets that are conditioned for indoor/outdoor or outdoor living only. The information will be located in the pet's profile. We also highly recommend you visit your local animal control facility to rescue an animal from there, however, most Georgia animal control facilities require animals be released only to licensed rescue. Coastal Pet Rescue will assist you with obtaining an animal from Chatham County animal control with a sterilization and microchip fee for the pet.

Please take a moment and read our article, Dogs (and cats) Should be a Part of your Family, Not Landscape Decor or Security to gain a better understanding of our policy.

Why do I need a veterinary reference?


We will call to check all vet references. If your current pets are not current on their shots by more than two months, or are not spayed/neutered, we will deny the application. It is important for your pet's lifetime health that they receive their annual shots. Additionally, it is a Georgia state law that all pets, dogs and cats, receive an annual rabies vaccination. It is also essential that pets are kept current on their monthly heartworm preventative. Heartworms are not only deadly to your pet, but the treatments to eliminate them far exceed the cost to prevent.