Adoption Process:

To begin the review process, please complete our adoption application on our website or obtain one at our adoption stands.  

To be considered a valid submission, the name of the animal which interests you must be included on the application.

Please note that generic "any dog" or "any cat" applications will not be reviewed by our Adoptions Committee volunteers. 

 

In addition, all other data elements appearing on the adoption application must also be completed. The applicant must agree

to the terms and conditions of Hanover Humane's adoption process, and the application must be signed and dated. Applications

which are not signed and/or are missing information may constitute an invalid submission. Applicants must be 18 years

of age, and the applicant may be required to provide proof of identification, such as a driver's license.   

 

Our volunteers accept adoption applications from various sites: at both of our Adoption Centers

(Mechanicsville Petsmart and the Virginia Center Commons Petsmart), our kennel, and online.

Frequently, we receive multiple applications for the same animal. Please note that we will review

all applications to determine which home will best fit the animal's needs.  Since each animal is

unique and has its own personality, needs, likes, dislikes, etc., our goal is to find the home best-suited for

that particular animal. During the review process, our volunteers will work to find the best fit between the animal

and a prospective home.

 

Once submitted, adoption applications become the documentation of Hanover Humane. Applicants will receive

an application acknowledgment which outlines the time-frame for handling adoption applications.  All applications

are reviewed by our Adoptions Committee. Our Adoptions Committee is comprised of volunteers, many of whom work.

While we know you're eager about this adoption, please be aware that many of all our volunteers have full-time jobs,

families, and other commitments.  Because of these obligations, they'll do their best to review your adoption application

in seven days.

 

Should you be selected as the new home for one of our animals, our volunteers will contact you within the seven day

period.   Please understand that our volunteers aren't always available to respond to emails or phone calls.  

Should you not hear from our volunteers regarding an adoption placement within 7 days, you may assume

that we've found an alternate placement for the animal.

Please be aware that the review of an adoption application involves contacting past or

current veterinarian(s), leasing agents, and personal references, as applicable and may also

involve a home visit. Our goal is to place the animals from our program in a home which

is appropriate based on the animal's needs, temperament, where it will reside, etc. as

well as the applicant's history, experience, family, lifestyle, yard, housing situation,

employment, other animals, etc. which affect the long-term health and safety

of the animal under consideration. In addition, there may be other considerations

which are animal-specific that will impact the animal's placement such as the animal's

energy level and need for fencing, whether the animal has been socialized with small children

and/or other animals, etc.

 

Annual Veterinary Care:  Generally, to establish a pattern of annual veterinary

care, we will ask your vet if previously owned and currently owned cats and dogs

• have been seen on an annual basis,
• have received annual distemper and rabies vaccines,
• have received medical care as warranted by the veterinarian, etc.

In addition, we'll certify that currently owned cats and dogs

• are sterilized,
• are on heartworm preventative and heartworm testing (dogs),
• have been tested for feline leukemia/aids with negative results on both (cats)
• are current on vaccines.agent, if renting property,

Rental Property:  If renting property, we'll contact your leasing agent to ensure that pets are allowed

on the property and that any security deposit fees/additional fees have been paid, if applicable.  

Owner information (name and contact number) for leased property will need to be provided on

your application.  Failure to provide this information may constitute an incomplete application.

 

Personal References: As part of the application review process, we will also contact at least

two personal references. These personal references may be friends, co-workers, etc. and

should not be family members.  Failure to provide this information may

constitute an incomplete application.

 

Home Visit: We reserve the right to conduct a home visit as well as schedule a

meet-and-greet with any current pets to ensure compatibility prior to deciding on an

adoption placement. We may also ask to meet other members of your household

who may be responsible for interacting with the animal.

 

Please note that all adoption placements are made collaboratively by the Adoptions Committee.

At the conclusion of the review process, you will be contacted by the Adoptions Committee

by phone or email  ONLY IF you are selected as the new home for one of our animals.

 

If you are selected as the new home for one of our animals, you will be asked to sign a contract.

Adoption fees start at $150 for dogs and $85 for cats.  Occasionally, depending on breed,

medical issues, etc. the adoption fee may be higher for a specific animal.  We accept cash, checks

made payable to "Hanover Humane," and Visa/Mastercard/Discover.   Please note that

Visa/Mastercard/Discover transactions are only available to adopters finalizing their adoption

at our facility in Ashland. (Since we don't have electronic payment processing

capabilities  offsite, credit/debit payment options are not available to adopters finalizing

adoptions from one of our Petsmart Adoption Centers or foster homes.)

 

All medical records for the animal you are adopting will be given to you at the time of adoption.

All of our animals are fully vaccinated, microchipped, have been spayed or neutered,

have tested negative/negative for feline leukemia/aids (cats) or heartworms (dogs)/are on

heartworm preventtive, and come with free pet insurance for thirty (30) days. The microchip

is registered to the animal's new owner at the time of adoption, and the registration covers a one

year period.  At the end of the year, the new owner will be contacted via email by the company to

extend the registration period.  A fee will apply.

 

A certificate for a free veterinary wellness examination with one of our participating veterinarians

will be included as part of your contract.  We encourage you to take your new pet to one of

our participating vets within the first week to give you peace of mind. It will also establish

the animal’s medical records at the vet’s office.

 

Above all, throughout the review process, we ask your patience and understanding.

Please remember that all the personnel that work with our adoptions are volunteers.

 

We know you may be eager to add a new pet to your household, and we'll understand

if you want to adopt from another organization rather than wait the seven (7) days it

may take us to review your application.

 

DOG STAND

We hold adoption stand at our facility on Saturday from 9a.m. to 12p.m. and by appointment.

 

CAT STAND

Our cat adoption stands are held at the Petsmarts at Virginia Center and Mechanicsville each
Saturday from 11am-3pm.

Sunday stands are held from 2pm to 5pm at the Virginia Center Petsmart ONLY.

Our cats are housed at these locations for you to view during store hours. To arrange a visit with

an animal, please feel free to attend Adoption Stand as shown above or email us

at info@hanoverhumanesociety.

Center Cleaning volunteers and Petsmart employees do not show Adoption Center residents to the general public.