Adopt a Pet
The animals available for adoption at Lucy Mackenzie can be viewed at PetFinder.com. To see which animals are currently available, please click on the image above.
The goal of our adoption program is to match our animals with loving, responsible, lifelong homes. Please take a moment to read about our adoption policies below and learn how the adoption process works.
Application
As a prospective adopter, when you come to the shelter to find a pet that you would like to adopt, we will ask you to complete an adoption application. Adopters must be at least 21 years of age. Some of the information that we ask you to provide is:
If you rent your home, we will need your landlord’s name and address.
If you own your home, we will require a copy of a tax bill or mortgage statement. In the absence of those documents, we will call your town clerk to verify your ownership.
If you have previously owned an animal, we will need the name and telephone number of your Veterinarian.
It can take up to two days for us to process your application and verify your information. As part of the application process, we will ask that all members of the household come to the shelter. If you currently have a dog, we will also ask you to bring him/her with you. When all steps of the application are complete, we will discuss with you the details of taking your new pet home. If you have any questions about the adoption process, please feel free to contact us at the Shelter. 802-484-LUCY (5829)
Download an Adoption Application
The adoption fee for a dog or puppy includes the following:
Spay/Neuter
Distemper vaccination
Rabies vaccination (if over3 months)
Worming
Heartworm Test (if over 7 months)
Flea Treatment
Kennel cough vaccination
Fecal exam
Microchip
Dogs $130.00
Puppies $140.00
The adoption fee for a cat or kitten includes the following:
Spay/Neuter
Distemper vaccination
Rabies vaccination (if over 3 months)
Worming
FELV/FIV test
Flea Treatment
Fecal exam
Microchip
Cat/Kitten: $100.00
What to Know Before you Adopt
By Jackie Stanley, Shelter Manager
Ask anybody that has adopted a cat or dog from a shelter and they will tell you very little has brought them more joy than opening their heart and home up to a shelter animal. Adopting an animal is highly fulfilling and rewarding, but is also a process that needs to be carefully thought through. Our goal at Lucy Mackenzie is to make sure that any potential adoption is the right one and ends up being a good match for both the animal and you. If you are thinking about adopting an animal, there are several things that should be taken into consideration.
Most shelters and Humane Societies don’t allow same day adoptions and Lucy Mackenzie isn’t any different. Once you’ve selected an animal, we’ll ask you to fill out an adoption application. It takes roughly two days for us to process the application. During this time, all we ask is that you thoroughly think your decision through. While the majority of individuals and families entering our doors have done just that, there are many people that come to visit, fall in love with an adorable puppy or the sweet affectionate purr of a kitten, and feel they must take that little one home with them immediately. Rest assured - if it was meant to be, it will still be meant to be in a few days.
The waiting period is important for you as the adopter. It allows you time to prepare your home and make it pet-friendly and safe for your new companion. Go buy the new litter box you’ll need or the dog crate you plan on using. Make sure the loose part of the fence is secured in the yard so your new canine companion won’t sneak through. Make sure cleaning supplies are safely stored and not accessible. Think of any and all questions you may have prior to getting your new family member home and discuss with our staff or research online.
Consider all existing members of your family (both two and four-legged) and how they will be affected by your new adoption. We require that each member of the household meet the potential adoptee prior to approving any application. We need to make sure that all family members are on the same page and in agreement about which animal you choose to adopt.
Additionally, we don’t always know how an animal will respond to all people and personalities, particularly when the animal came to us as a stray and also with many owner-surrendered animals. While we temperament test all our canines shortly after admission, there are situations we can’t test for such as how a dog is going to react to a three-year old child or a 7 foot man. You may find that there’s something about the look or disposition of one member of your household that makes a truly sweet, even-tempered dog react aggressively.
If you are applying to adopt one of our dogs, we ask that all existing canine companions come to the shelter for a meet and greet with the potential adoptee. Generally we can tell whether or not two dogs will be able to cohabitate and get along after this initial meeting but not always. Sometimes multiple visits with your dog are necessary and typically pay off as it allows a safe warm-up period for the two canines on neutral territory.
Cat relationships are a little less predictable but we’ll help you to make an informed decision. If you have a geriatric cat that that suffers from arthritis, perhaps bringing home a two-year old feisty tabby with a high prey drive may not be the best decision. There is no way to fully predict how well cats or dogs are going to get along or how quickly they will warm up to one another. Just be prepared and anticipate a transitionary period for your companions. You may have to put some thought and work in to creating separate spaces for each cat or dog as they work through this transition as they may not be best friends overnight.
Be ready to make a long-term and financial commitment. The life expectancy of dogs is generally 12 – 15 years and 15 – 20 years for cats. Adoption is a life-long commitment for the life of your new companion. In addition to routine exams, vaccinations, and neutering or spaying, unforeseen medical expenses can and will pop up. Be sure to factor those expenses in to your decision.
Even with all these considerations, adoption is the way to go. As far as we’re concerned, adoption is the ONLY option! If you don’t find the right fit for you and your family on your first or even second visit to the shelter, don’t give up on your search. While we’d like to see your new family member be a Lucy Mackenzie Alumni, it’s more important that it be the right animal for you, your lifestyle, and your family. Check with other local Humane Societies and shelters. Your patience will pay off and in big returns. There’s nothing like the unconditional love and companionship that comes from your new best friend.
An Adoption Story
Ceretha, a volunteer here at Lucy Mackenzie, is responsible for the individual pictures and identifying information we now have displayed by the cat rooms. As a volunteer, Ceretha didn't know the cats and wanted to do something that would help her as well as other visitors to get to know the cats in a personal way. The pictures have been very successful and have helped visitors form bonds with the animals here, which promotes follow-up visits and future adoptions.
Ceretha went on to adopt Cassie, an older cat from the Lucy Mackenzie. Their story is told on a site Ceretha created in Cassie's memory, to encourage people to think about adopting older cats, black cats, black and white cats, and cats that have been at the shelter for a long time. Visit the site.