Adopt A Pet

Mesa County Animal Services makes every effort to ensure that each animal offered for adoption is the kind of animal you would want as a pet for your family. It is impossible to guarantee that each animal is perfect.  In fact, we find they are often better, more loving pets because of their imperfections.  However, because we care about your safety, we assess each animal for our adoption program using several different tools.  We consider the behavior of the animal as reported by its former owner or by its behavior with our staff and our staff is certified in two different behavior assessment tests.  No test is a guarantee of future behavior, but we select animals for adoption that have no history or indication of aggressive behavior towards other animals or people.  

Only safe, loving, permanent homes are sought for the animals and we want adopters to take pet ownership seriously. If you are considering a new pet for life, please consider the homeless animals at Animal Services.   If you don't find just the right pet for your family at our shelter, many of our adoptable animals are transferred to CLAWS (Cats League and Assistance of the Western Slope) and Grand Rivers Humane.  Grand Rivers Humane has pets available for adoption at PetSmart and Petco in Grand Junction. 

During the year we have a daily average of 75 dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and sometimes rabbits and other assorted pets impounded at the shelter.  Because we have to make room for incoming animals, we often transfer adoptable animals to other agencies so we can avoid euthanizing adoptable pets.  Because our inventory of available animals fluctuates daily, we no longer post pictures of adoptable pets on our web-site or on Petfinders.com.  We do not want to advertise a pet and disappoint citizens who arrive at our shelter only to find that the pet was transferred to another agency.  To read more about our displaced pet program, click here
                                                                                        

Adoption requirements and fees

Before you can adopt, you must own your own home or have your landlord's permission to bring an animal home. We ask that your present animals be current on shots and be in compliance with the law.

Those with history of irresponsible ownership will not be considered.

PLEASE NOTE: Our policy states that we are unable to hold or reserve animals that are up for adoption. You may call or e-mail to request the adoption status of a preferred animal, but you must come in and fill out the Adoption Application in order to adopt. For your convenience, you may print the Adoption Application Form found below, complete it, and bring it with you to the shelter. Only walk-ins will be allowed to adopt an animal.  Thank you.

To download our adoption application, click here 

Mesa County Residents

The cost to adopt an animal is $65 for an unaltered dog or cat.  At the time of adoption, you will pick out a local veterinarian from our list of participating veterinarians to provide the following services:  Pet physical examination, surgical sterilization, aftercare, rabies vaccination, licensing and education related to life-long preventative care.  We will make an appointment at the veterinarian you have selected and transport the animal to the veterinarian for care at the prearranged time.  After the scheduled appointment and completion of the services outlined, you may take your pet home for a lifetime full of affection and love. 

The cost to adopt an animal is $40 for a previously altered animal.  At the time of adoption, you will pick out a local veterinarian from our list of participating veterinarians to provide the following services:  Pet physical examination, rabies vaccination, licensing and education related to life-long preventative care.  We will make an appointment at the veterinarian you have selected and transport the animal to the veterinarian for care at the prearranged time.  After the scheduled appointment and completion of the services outlined, you may take your pet home for a lifetime full of affection and love. 

   Out of County Adoption Fees

    The cost for adoption for out of county residents includes refundable deposits.  These fees vary depending on the animal so you must inquire at the front desk for details once you have picked your pet.

 

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Last Modified: 05/29/09