Adopt

Your best friend could be waiting for you. Learn about our adoption process and requirements below. All dogs and cats adopted from the HSPC are spayed/neutered by HSPC at no charge and will be current on their vaccinations.

Adoptable animals are located at the Humane Society of Portage County in Plover, Wisconsin.

View Adoptable Animals

black and white dog wearing adopt me bandana

Adoption Process

We are seeking adopters to provide forever homes for our adoptable animals.

We expect to complete the approval and adoption process within 1 to 4 days. If you have plans that may delay your adoption process then we suggest that you delay submitting your application. We do not maintain an inventory of applications waiting for a specific animal.

Our inventory of adoptable cats and kittens is constantly changing. When submitting a cat adoption application you do not need to provide the name of an adoptable cat, unless you have a specific adult cat you are interested in. Your approval email will invite you to make an appointment to come to the shelter to meet our current residents so you can fall in love in a leisurely fashion and make an appropriate selection.

Our inventory of adoptable dogs is typically limited. Dogs vary in size and often have requirements on the types of homes that will be compatible. These requirements are usually listed in the animal’s description. An adopter’s choice of a dog is frequently sensitive to the dog’s size and breed. When applying for a dog please review our inventory of adoptable dogs and list the dog’s name on your application.

Your approved application will remain active for 60 days. If there is another pet that interests you during this time, please contact the adoption department.

Meet Your Match

You could be gazing at the animal of your dreams, but you just can’t tell what she’s thinking behind that furry face. What if you knew a little something about her personality and habits before you moved in together? The Meet Your Match program wouldn’t let you go home without knowing who’s in that carrier or on that leash. MYM is the only method in existence today that evaluates an animal’s behavior and interests and matches them to an adopter’s preferences so that you take home a pet you can really click with.

The goal of the MYM programs is brief and clear:
MYM is designed to increase the human/animal bond — not based on a cute pair of eyes or the color of the animal’s coat, but based on the dog’s or cat’s behavior and the adopter’s expectations. The process focuses on the positive promotion of dogs and cats, the welcoming and friendly interactions with potential adopters and, ultimately, the matches we can make. This positive approach increases adoptions, decreases returns, improves interactions with clients and saves more lives. Adopters take surveys, which are used to match them with adoptable animals based on preferences.

Meet Your Match Assessment places animals in one of three color-coded categories—purple, green or orange—followed by placement in one of three descriptions. These codes help adopters meet the right pet for them based on their personal preferences and lifestyle.

Adoption FAQ

How old do I have to be to adopt an animal?

18 years of age to adopt a cat. 21 years of age to adopt a dog unless it is a bully breed then you must be 25 years old.

I don't see the animal I want right now — can I leave a filled out application?

For cat applications you should wait until you are ready to adopt. The inventory of cats changes frequently. For dogs you must list the animal you are interested in adopting.

How long does the shelter keep applications on file?

We only keep applications on file for ten days.

Does everyone in the household need to meet the animal before it is adopted?

Yes. Everyone including children need to be listed on the application and meet the animal.

When can I bring my dog in to meet the dog I want to adopt?

An appointment for the dogs to meet is made by the Adoption Coordinator after the application has been approved.

Can I bring my cats in to meet other cats or dogs, or bring my dog to meet a cat I want to adopt?

No. Bringing cats into the shelter is very stressful as is bringing a dog to meet a cat. The adoption team will give you information and guidance as to how to introduce your pets at the time of adoption.

Why does it take 1-4 days to process an application?

We review applications in the order that they are received and need to do background checks on each adult, contact veterinarians and other shelters if an applicant is not from our service area. Our goal is to process applications as quickly as possible, but depending on the number we receive, it could take a couple of days.

How do I know if my application has been approved?

The adoption team will contact you and let you know that you have been approved. They will set up an appointment for you to come in and review the paperwork, and take your animal home.

Will you hold an animal for me?

No, we will not hold animals. If you have an approved application, you have seven days to schedule a pick-up time. Otherwise, we will continue to take applications for the animal.