FAQs
"During the entire month of May all cats one year and older have a reduced
adoption fee of only $45! Apply now for your new best friend, or two!"
"All chihuahua and chihuahua mix dogs will have their **adoption fee reduced
by 50% to $137.50! Apply now for your new best friend!"*"
Adoption FAQs
Furkids houses over 500 rescue cats, kittens, and dogs in our rescue program. Once you have located the animal you would like to adopt (on-line or through a PetSmart/PETCO adoption center), the first step towards adopting is to fill out an adoption application. Our volunteers work hard to respond to all adoption applications or inquiries within 24 – 72 hours. Below are some of the frequently asked questions regarding our adoption policies and procedures. If you have any further questions regarding our adoption policies or procedures, please e-mail us at adopt@furkids.org.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much are adoption fees?
Our Adoption Fees for cats
- $85 for one adult cat (one year of age and older), $150 for two
- $125 for one kitten (under one year of age), $200 for two, $250 for three
- $175 for one adult cat and one kitten
- $45 for senior cats 8 years and older
- Individuals over 62 years of age may adopt an adult /senior cat for only $45
Our Adoption Fee for dogs:
- $275 for puppies and adult dogs
- $125 for senior dogs 8 years and older
What is included in the adoption fee?
The adoption fee includes testing, complete (up to their current age) medical care, vaccinations, microchip, and spay/neuter. We will also give you, or mail to you, a copy of the animal’s medical records, which you can give to your vet.
All animals have the following vetting included in their adoption fee:
- Sterilization
- Combo test for cats/heartworm test for dogs
- FVRCP/DHLPP vaccinations
- Rabies vaccination
- Leukemia vaccinations
- Dewormings
- Flea treatment
- Earmite treatment (if needed)
- Microchip
- Any other vetting as needed, such as additional testing, major surgery, etc.
- Ongoing complimentary nail trimmings
- Furkids as a resource for the life of the animal
What are your adoption policies & procedures? (they are some exceptions to these rules)
- Must be at least 21 years of age to apply.
- Your current animals must be up to date on rabies and spayed or neutered.
- We do not offer same day adoptions; adoption applications take up to 24 – 72 hours to process.
- Our kittens require an animal companion in the home.
- Be aware that some of our cats and kittens are a part of a bonded pair, which can not be separated.
Applicants are required to sign a binding adoption contract.
General
Where do all of these cats and dogs come from?
Most of our animals are abandoned and unwanted, some are from kill shelters on their last day and others are from owners who can no longer care for them.
How many animals does Furkids save a year?
Our average for the last three years, is approximately 600 per year. However, we help many more animals through our community outreach efforts; educating people about proper pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering.
How many animals does Furkids adopt out each year?
Our average for the last three years is approximately 600 per year. This number has decreased since 2008 due to the economic situation that our country is experiencing. The poor economy has taken its toll on animals and pet ownership overall. All the more reason to make sure your pet is altered and that you do everything you can to keep your commitment to care for your pet for the duration of its life.
How much does it take to run Furkids?
Our operating budget is approximately $300,000 a year. Atlanta Magazine recently compared Atlanta’s top animal shelters and Furkids was noted to have the lowest percentage of our budget dedicated to administrative expenses. Also noted was that for every $1,000 we accept in donations, we place more pets into permanent homes than virtually every other organization, and we care for more animals on a daily basis than any other shelter.
How does Furkids raise the money to operate?
The majority of revenue comes from donations from individuals. The rest comes from our fundraising efforts (our thrift store and special events) and a small portion comes from our adoption fees.
Volunteering
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
Furkids welcomes children of all ages to volunteer . If you are under 16, you will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian each time.
My group wants to volunteer, who do I contact?
Furkids provides a great opportunity for large groups. Please contact our Volunteer Manager, Belinda Kach at volunteer@furkids.org and she will explain the volunteer options and schedule your visit.
What are the hours of your shelter?
We are open seven days a week. A staff person usually arrives by 8:00 a.m. and the last staff person leaves around 7:00 p.m. Medical volunteers are usually at the shelter until later in the evening. If you want to work an evening shift, please be sure to coordinate with our Volunteer Manager to ensure that someone will be on-hand to assist you.
Where is the shelter located?
Our main shelter is located two miles outside the perimeter off of Buford Highway. Our dog facility is located off of McFarland Road in Alpharetta. We are open to the public by appointment, as we do not have the staff resources to receive unannounced visitors. Once you complete your application, you will be given the address and directions.
What will be my duties as a shelter caretaker?
We have approximately 275 cats in our shelter. We need help providing fresh food and water in the rooms, cleaning the litterboxes, sweeping and moping, cleaning in the kitchen, etc. There are also opportunities for special training to care for the cats in our quarantine and isolation areas.
How long will my training take?
Training and orientation usually take approximately two hours.
How do I schedule my volunteer time?
If volunteering at our shelter, our Volunteer Manager will be responsible for confirming your place on the schedule. If you volunteer at an adoption center, your time will be coordinated by the volunteer adoption manager for that location.
Who do I contact if I cannot keep my scheduled volunteer commitment?
We appreciate as much notice as is possible. Please call the shelter number or email our Volunteer Manager at volunteer@furkids.org.
What do I do if I notice a cat is sick or appears ill?
Please report the cat to the shelter staff immediately or if you are volunteering at an adoption center, please contact your volunteer adoption center manager.
Why are there cats in cages in some rooms of the shelter?
We introduce cats into the rooms at the shelter through a cage so we can take the introduction slowly. We also keep cats in the hallway in cages if they are semi-feral and need taming down or if they are on a special watch.
Does Furkids have dogs? If so, where are they?
Yes, we have dogs in our program and they are kept in foster homes and at our Alpharetta Facility, Bren’s House. Visit www.smalldoghumane.org for details.
For additional information on low cost spay and neuter, feral cat assistance, and many other local assistance programs please visit our Resources page.
