adoption process

Steps to Adoption

1. Visit the available animals page on our website (under 'adopt' tab) and see if any animals interest you. 
2. Fill out our Adoption Form. Applications for adoption are also available at the shelter in paper form. Approved applications are good for 6 months, and are not exclusive to one animal. It usually takes between 24-48 hours to process applications. 
3. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours, please call to verify that we received your application. If you are declined for any reason, we will tell you why. If you have not heard from us within 2 business days, please feel free to call at 262-694-4047. 
4. Every member of your household must come interact with an animal before adoption. Interactions end 30 minutes prior to the shelter closing.
5. Dog to dog interactions are required between any current dogs you own and dogs you are interested in adopting. These interactions will only be done once all human members of your family have met the dog
6. If you are the first 'hold' on any animal, you will have 24 hours to set up an adoption appointment.

Information for Adoption

• 'Holds' on an animal are placed on a first come, first serve basis. We CANNOT place holds on any animals on stray hold or medical treatment. Feel free to call us to check on the status of an animal
• Due to privacy policies, we are unable to tell you what hold number you are on any animal or tell you when or if you may become the first hold. 
• If you rent, we ask that you talk with your landlord first. Many landlords have policies that can limit breeds and number of animals that you're allowed to have. Knowing your limitations will reduce the number of animals returned to the shelter.
• If you are adopting a puppy, be aware that they require more attention at your home and more training.
• Please give your new animal ample time to settle into their new home. It can take up to a 3 months, or more, for them to get used to their new surroundings.
• Keep in mind that you're adopting a life time companion. It is very stressful for them to go through multiple homes and can cause behavioral and mistrust issues. I
• If you are interested in declawing a cat, we ask that you adopt a cat that is already declawed. You are not to have any animal adopted from Safe Harbor declawed. It is inhumane to declaw a cat. It can cause arthritis and behavioral issues. To read more on this topic, please click here.

 +​Pricing for Adoption
Each animal's profile has their individual fee listed on their profile page. You may have noticed on our website that our adoption fees vary between individual animals. Having a higher adoption fee for some animals who will find a home quickly enables us to care for animals in need of lifesaving medical and behavioral intervention, who are with us longer. ​