Adoption Policy
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Deciding to bring a pet into your home means a major change in lifestyle. Adoption should be a thoroughly considered decision and not a spur of the moment idea; especially considering this pet will be a part of your family up to the next 10 to 20 years.

Therefore, it is imperative to consider the "for better and for worse" aspects of adoption thoroughly before making any decisions.

In order to assure the smoothest transition and positive outcome for both the animal and the adoptive family, we have developed the following guidelines for adoptions:
Adoption Guidelines
  • Please read all of the articles in our "before you adopt" section of this website
  • You must be at least 21 years of age
  • The entire family is in agreement concerning the adoption
  • You are not adopting the animal for someone else or as a gift
  • Your adopted pet can not be given away or sold
  • If you have to give up the pet, it will be returned to ECCHA
  • You have not given up a pet within the last 30 days (except in the case of a seriously ill, old or severely injured pet)
  • Your adopted pet will be neutered by a specific date (if needed)
  • Your adopted pet will be vaccinated for rabies and licensed (if required)
  • Your adopted pet will be kept as an indoor house pet (for exceptions regarding outside dogs, please contact the shelter)
  • If you are a renter, you must have at least three (3) months residency and we must also have the landlord’s permission
  • You will be asked for your current address on a driver’s license or other picture I.D. and your telephone number. If you are a temporary resident of the Eau Claire area (such as a student) we also require your permanent address and telephone number
  • There is an overnight waiting period on all applications. In order to assure an animal will be going into a permanent, caring and responsible home, you will be asked to sign a contract agreeing to some additional guidelines
Suggested Guidelines
It can be very stressful for an animal to become acclimated to its new surroundings. For this reason, we suggest adopters do not bring a new pet into their home if they have just moved, are in the process of moving, or planning to move in the near future.

Our experience has taught us that dogs left tied to a doghouse or kept in an outside kennel lack attention and do not become good pets (see the backyard dog). Statistics show that the average life span of a cat allowed outside is approximately four (4) years, while cats kept in the house live approximately sixteen (16) years.
The Eau Claire County Humane Association reserves the right to refuse any adoption.