Below are some of the questions that we are frequently asked. If you have a question that you don't see listed here, please feel free to contact us.
ABOUT COMPANION CRITTERS, INC.
Are you affiliated with an animal shelter?
Companion Critters, Inc, is a private 501(C)(3) non-profit, all volunteer animal rescue group. We operate out of our homes in the immediate Clark, NJ area. Although we refer people to and network with other organizations like animal shelters, we are not affiliated with any shelters.
Is working with the rescue group your job?
We all have families and animals that live with us permanently and work full-time jobs while caring for our fosters awaiting adoption. None of us gets paid to rescue animals - we do this on a volunteer basis simply because we want to make a difference in the life of each animal we are able to rescue.
Do you get funds from federal, state, local government or from the United Way?
Companion Critters, Inc. does not receive any funds from federal, state or local government, or from the United Way. We operate solely from donations made by people like you.
Where do the animals in your program come from?
The animals in our program are homeless pets that we have saved from euthanasia at local shelters. They have ended up in the shelter either as strays that were never claimed or as owner releases. When we take an animal from the shelter that came in as an owner release, we ask what the reason for release was. Almost always the reason is either "landlord found out, moving, having a baby, no time for pet, no longer interested in caring for pet". It is rarely due to the fault of the animal that they end up in a shelter on death row. Many people simply do not honor the lifelong commitment they make when they take on the responsibility of a pet.
Why can't I find a phone number to call you?
Since we do not have a shelter location, we have no public phone number. All of the pets are fostered in private homes. We have found the most efficient contact method is to email us since we check email frequently and can distribute email to foster homes quickly.
ADOPTION PROCESS
Is the pet I am interested in still available?
If the pet is posted on Petfinder.com, we are accepting applications. We keep our Petfinder site current so there is no need to ask if a particular pet is available - if you see it, it is! Should we have an approved applicant and we are relatively certain an adoption will take place, we will put "PENDING" next to the pet's name. You may still submit an application in the event that adoption does not take place. Once the pet is adopted, it is immediately removed from Petfinder.com active listings.
How does the adoption process work?
After you decide which dog or cat you want to adopt (whether on Petfinder or at our adoption event), we ask that you complete an adoption application online. (See the Petfinder page of the pet you are interested in and click the adoption application link so you get the appropriate application.) The foster parent of the pet you are interested in will go over the application. The person who lives with this pet knows the pet best and can determine what type of living situation would make a good match. The thoroughness of your application will help in determining this, so please take your time in completing it and give us as much information as you want - the more the better. If we feel this is a pet that would work for you, we will contact you to make arrangements to bring the pet to your home for a visit. Doing this allows you to see the pet interacting in your home so you can make a better decision selecting the right pet. Our goal is not only for the pet to live happily ever after, but for the adopters to be equally happy.
If all agree that it is a good match, then you will be asked to sign an adoption contract and pay the adoption fee. Along with your new pet, you will receive a copy of the adoption contract which contains a summary of everything your pet has received while in our care, your pet's medical records (rabies certificate, inoculation records, spay/neuter certificate), instructions on transferring the microchip registration, a collar with a temporary ID tag, some of the food your pet has been eating, and your pet's favorite toy that he played with in his foster home.
Why do we charge an adoption fee for a rescue pet? Why not just place her in a good home?
We need adopters who are willing to support all rescue pets, not just the pet they adopt. A young, healthy pet might cost us $100 in vet care, and many people will want to adopt her. An older one with health issues, mostly resulting from past neglect, can easily cost $500 -1500+ in veterinary expenses, yet we still charge the same adoption fee. Fees from the younger, more adoptable pets help offset the cost of caring for the others. Most of our pets have a sad story to tell, and some have suffered through years of neglect or abuse. We hope that you too are willing to give an opportunity for a better life to ALL of our pets by supporting them through adoption fees. Without these funds, our rescue efforts would not be possible.
I live outside of your area but fell in love with one of the pets in your program. Can I still adopt if I offer to pick him up?
We are thrilled that you have decided to adopt a pet and that you love one of ours. However, since part of our adoption process includes us bringing the pet to your home, we regret that we cannot have you come pick up the pet instead. You would need to live within a driving distance acceptable to the foster home. But with millions of homeless pets throughout the United States, we know that there is a wonderful pet in your area that would love to be part of your family. We recommend searching Petfinder.com where you can search by region to find adoptable pets near you.
If I am not a good match for the pet I applied for, can you keep me in mind in case another like this one comes in?
We are really sorry to say we simply cannot commit to doing that. We get hundreds of applications and are not able to track who wants what. Also, it could be a very long time until a simlar pet comes our way. Please continue searching petfinder.com to find the type of pet you are looking for as chances are, that pet is somewhere else.
|