If You Are New to Adopting

Before adopting we encourage you to look at our Tips on Adopting An Animal and keep in mind that many of our animals have never lived inside a home. Some dogs may never have been walked on a leash, socialized, house trained or spent time with other animals. All, even those who previously have been in loving homes, will need patience and understanding as they learn to adapt to a new life and family. Rescued animals need adopters who will not give up on them if they have accidents in the house, pull on the leash, dig in the yard or act nervous or frightened.

Our job is to find each of our animals the right home.  Rejected applications are not necessarily a reflection on the applicant’s home, but rather based on the determination that the home is not the right match.  Because of the work done in our foster homes and the care we take in matching animals with the right home, most of our animals will fit in their new homes immediately, but some will not.  These animals may need some form of training.

An adoption will be successful only if the adopter is committed to seeing the animal through the adjustment period.  The rewards are the unconditional love and loyalty of a wonderful companion and the satisfaction of knowing you have given a rescued animal a better life.  EAPL wants to support you with resources, education, and encouragement.  Please contact us at any time following adoption for assistance.

Step by Step Process

EAPL is a foster-based rescue. Except for our adult Cat Adoption Center, located in Chow Down Pet Supply in Evergreen, we do not have a shelter facility where applicants can come look at multiple animals at one time. Most of our animals are in foster homes that range from Denver, to Evergreen, to Northeast Colorado – where they are loved and cared for until they are placed in a forever home. Please read the Steps below to see how to meet an individual animal.

Step One: The adoption process begins when you complete an online CAT OR DOG Adoption Application, naming one or more of our Available Animals or providing a description of the type of animal you hope to adopt. Completing an application does not restrict you to a specific animal, nor does it obligate you to adopt.

Step Two: Once we have received your application and determined that you are a good match for the requested animal, we will contact you. The foster parent will then contact you to arrange a time for you to meet the animal, at which time you can decide if you would like to complete the adoption. After your initial meeting with the animal, one of our volunteers will conduct a home visit. This may occur before you take the animal home or when the animal is delivered to you. You may be asked to visit the animal more than once before taking it home.

Step Three: Once the adoption is approved, you will need to complete our Dog Adoption Contract and pay the adoption fee.

Step Four: We will keep in contact over the next few days to make sure everyone is happy. If so we will close out the adoption and your adoption fee will be deposited.

IF AT ANY TIME AFTER ADOPTION, YOU DECIDE YOU CAN NOT KEEP THE PET FOR ANY REASON, PLEASE CONTACT EAPL ABOUT RETURNING THE ANIMAL TO US OR WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

Adoption Fees

Adoption Fee For Adult Cats – $75
Includes spaying or neutering, FIV and Feline Leukemia tests, Distemper and Rabies Vaccines, Deworming, Initial Vet Exam, Treatment of any visible or known medical conditions.

Adoption Fee For Kittens – $85  (includes microchip)
Includes FIV and Feline Leukemia tests, Distemper Vaccine, Deworming, Initial Vet Exam, and Treatment of any visible or known medical conditions.

Adoption Fee For All Dogs and Puppies  – effective May 1st, 2024 – $375

Includes spaying or neutering, Distemper Vaccine(s) (DHPP), Rabies Vaccine (if applicable due to age), Deworming, Health Certificate Exam, and Treatment of any visible or known medical conditions.

Tips on Adopting an Animal

We are always excited to find loving, responsible homes for the animals we want to help. Taking on a pet is a very big responsibility. We would like you to take a few minutes to consider these ten questions before pursuing pet ownership.

1. Why are you adopting a pet?
Are you getting a dog to “teach your children responsibility?” Consider teaching them with “things,” and not with living creatures that will suffer if the lesson “doesn’t take.”

Are you getting a kitten because “they are so cute?” If what you want is a kitten, get a stuffed toy. Felines are cute kittens for six months; they are cats for 16 to 20 years.

2. What do you expect this animal to be or to do?
Your expectations will determine what kind of pet you should adopt. An active family would be unhappy with a bulldog or basset hound; a quiet family would go crazy with a retriever or a setter. Select a pet that fits your lifestyle.

3. How much time will you be able to spend with this pet?
Dogs and cats are companion animals and they demand and deserve companionship; they cannot be ignored. Pets don’t understand “go away, I’m too busy watching TV.”

4. Do you have space for a pet?
Cats deserve a place of their own (a private hidey hole or cuddle spot).
Dogs demand much more space depending on the breed and activity level of the dog. Common sense should indicate that a wolfhound is not appropriate for an apartment.

5. Do you have a fenced yard?
The truth is that most dogs need a safe, secure area where they can exercise and get fresh air. For some small pets a securely enclosed patio area is adequate, but most large dogs really need a fenced yard. In some special instances the fence requirement can be waived but most of the time, we require that adoptive homes have a fenced area for their dog.

6. Where will your pet sleep?
The best place is inside with you and your family. Why would you want your new friend to sleep alone outside in the dark or cold?

7. Where will you get your pet?
Every animal rescue organization has a wide selection of pets just waiting for responsible pet owners. If you buy an animal at a pet store or a “puppy mill,” you may get a pet that isn’t well socialized or has health problems. If you must get a purebred, let the shelters know what you’re looking for.

8. How much money will your pet cost?
Adoption fees from shelters are usually around $60-$350. Of course, pet stores and breeders charge much more.

9. Are you prepared for the annual expenses of a pet?
Experts estimate that you can expect to spend from $300 to $700 or more during the first year of your pet’s life. This money covers food, vaccinations, and spay/neuter*. Thereafter, costs can reach $300 or more per year.  *When you adopt from EAPL, your dog’s spay or neuter is included in your adoption price, providing you use an EAPL-approved vet.

10. What will you do with your pet when you go on vacation?
Unless you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who can come into your home or take it into their home, expect to spend $40 to $100 a day to board your pet in a kennel.