Adoption Policy
Our adoption policies and procedures are rigorous and thoughtful as our goal is to match you with a cat who will become a loving addition to your home for the rest of his/her wonderful life.
Seeing photos and videos are great first steps, however, meeting the cat in person and seeing if you connect is critically important. You may even want to visit the cat a few times to ensure you have made that connection.
If you are interested in adopting one of our cats, you will need to complete our adoption application and have that approved prior to placement. Submitting an adoption application does not guarantee placement.
We do not do same day adoptions.
Please ensure you have permission to have a cat where you live before considering adoption! We will need to see a copy of your lease agreement along with a contact number for your landlord to ensure the adoption is allowed.
All parties interested must meet the cat before adoption to ensure that everyone is in agreement with the adoption. If you do not live in Anchorage, you must come in to meet him/her before the adoption and make arrangements to transport him/her to your home.
AHS will provide behavioral support for the transition and throughout the adoption to ensure that everyone feels secure with the adoption.
Our adoption agreement prohibits declawing an adopted cat, and stipulates that the cat will be returned to us if the adoption does not work out. We also ask that cats be returned to us regardless of when the cat was adopted if the adoptive home is no longer able to keep the cat or is unable to provide him/her with the necessary healthcare to maintain a healthy and happy life.
AHS has an indoor cat policy. We strongly support the utilization of cat harnesses and catios as these are positive ways of giving your cat the chance to explore, get some fresh air and provide him/her with the benefits of the natural world while keeping them and wildlife safe and sound.
If the cat is in a foster home, the application must be completed, submitted and approved prior to any visit.
These steps have been implemented to ensure the placement is the best one possible to meet the needs of the cat and the new home.
Our Adoption Application is available to complete online or download. If you download the application please email the completed one to ahscatshelter@gmail.com
Once you’ve made that purrfect connection here are some factors to consider:
- Do you rent? If you do, do you have Landlord approval and documentation to verify that you are allowed to have a cat? Is there a clause about declawing in the lease? We do not allow declawing.
- Is your home ready for a new arrival? Do you need support with getting that together?
- Does everyone in the home agree to the adoption and has everyone met the cat?
- Are you aware of the municipal code, Title 17, that requires a multi-animal license when you own 4 or more of the same species in the Municipality of Anchorage? Title 17 also includes a clause about cats requiring leashes/identification when off of personal property, as cats are not allowed to wander.
- Do you have a carrier to transport your cat?
Once your application is approved, then you have two options:
1. Set up an adoption appointment on the weekend by texting at 907-230-6394 or emailing ahscatshelter@gmail.com.
2. Reserve the cat and put down a deposit ($25 minimum towards the $130 adoption fee) and set up a time with a volunteer to schedule pickup
Suggested Supplies
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- Food/Water dishes (Our cats eat IAMS Proactive Health Chicken Kibble and Friskies Canned Food).
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- Uncovered Litter Box/Litter (we recommend non-clay clumping litters)
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- Scratching Posts/Cat Trees
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- Feliway (cat pheromone that assists with stress and behaviors)
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- Cat Beds/Hidey Spot/Cube/Kennel
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- Cat Trees/Perches
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- Music (Through a Cat’s Ear is highly recommended: www.icalmpet.com)
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- Enrichment Toys (you’ll receive an enrichment brochure with some suggestions)
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- Cat DVDs
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- Collar/harness/ID tag
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- Carrier (we recommend a larger sized hard sided carrier when picking up your cat from the shelter). Soft sided carriers are great for when your cat is more comfortable in your home.
If you are interested in adopting, please fill out the following application:
If any behavior issues arise (scratching, biting, etc.) that concern the adoptive family, please contact our Associate Certified Behavior Consultant at: 907-230-6394 or email her at ahscatshelter@gmail.com. We are here to help and practice only fear free methods to help modify behaviors.