Adopt

The JSPCA receives over 100 animals every month for adoption. Most are cats and dogs, but we occasionally get birds, turtles, rabbits, goats and other animals. Many are adopted and go on to live happy, healthy lives in their new homes. But others go unnoticed – they are left sad and lonely, and are reluctantly euthanized. The JSPCA tries very hard to minimize the number of dogs and cats euthanized, and hosts adoption clinics all over the island, as well as advertising in the local newspapers. We have seen a tremendous leap in the amount of adoptions each month – thanks to people like you!

How do i adopt?

Adopting a pet at the JSPCA is easy! Just come into our head office and choose from our wide selection of pets. After you have selected your pet, there is a quick and easy questionnaire to fill out, just to see if you meet the basic requirements to have the pet, and to give us an idea of the environment the pet will be going to, in order to make sure you have made the right choice. You pay your adoption fee, your spay/neuter surgery is scheduled and you pick up your new pet the next day. After that, you bring him/her back for a recheck, suture removal and possible vaccine in 7-10 days’ time. It’s as simple as that!

What to think about before adopting a pet?

Do you have enough time to care for a pet? While a pet doesn’t need as much observation as a baby, they still need and deserve your time and attention. Puppies and kittens require the greatest amount of attention. They need to be trained & visit the veterinarian more regularly. At this stage, kittens and puppies don’t know danger and can get themselves into a lot of trouble. Puppies especially like to chew a lot at this age and might chew on something that could be harmful to their health. Don’t have that much time? Well maybe an adult cat, dog, bird or rabbit is the right pet for you.

Money is a major factor in deciding what kind of pet to get, if any. Dogs cost the greatest amount of money to maintain. Big dogs eat more, require more medication but chances are, unlike the small toy breed they do not need to be groomed which is an expense many people tend to overlook. Cats don’t eat as much and costs less to maintenance but still require as many regular check-ups as dogs. If you don’t have much money a turtle, bird or any such small animal may be the best choice for you.

The environment the pet will be going into. If you don’t live alone, how do the others feel about you getting a pet? Do you live in an apartment or a home with yard space? It is never a good idea to bring a pet into a home where it is not welcome. If you live in an apartment, or a community that does not allow pets, a rabbit, turtle or bird may be the best bet for you.

Benefits of adoption

Saving a life- By adopting an animal from the JSPCA you’ve just helped save the life of an animal that otherwise may have been euthanized.

Companionship- animals adopted are so grateful for a second chance at life that they often make very loyal, loving and affectionate pets.

Your animal is spayed/neutered without heavy expenses. It costs a lot to spay an animal, but when adopting you pay nothing near to the actual surgery cost.

Your pet has been thoroughly checked, dewormed and given heartworm prevention treatment (if a dog over 6 months of age)

You pay no adoption fee for your first visit back to veterinarian.

Common myths about adoption

Q: Are all the dogs and cats available for adoption mongrels/mutts?
A: Not at all! In fact, about 40% of the dogs that come into our office are purebred or cross breeds. Don’t be too eager to adopt a purebred, mongrels/mutts make just as good pets as purebreds.

Q: Are the pets you have up for adoption properly socialized or will they run away?
A: The JSPCA does have stray cats/dogs up for adoption but most them come from homes where their owners had to give them up because of space, money etc. If a stray is brought to our office for adoption apart from a thorough physical examination, the animal’s mental condition is also examined. Dogs that are too wild and are not used to being handled are not put up for adoption. However, just like humans, you will find that some animals are a bit shy at first – in these cases we recommend allowing about 4 weeks for them to adjust to their new home.

Q: Do you have to spay/neuter the dog/cat? Will it still be a good watch dog or will my cat still try and catch rats?
A: Spaying/Neutering doesn’t change the personality of your dog. If your dog was a good watch dog before, it will continue to be. In fact, it may be an even better watch dog because males tend to roam the streets less and stay at home, and females are distracted by other males and puppies, and by going on heat. Also with cats this surgery will change nothing, not all cats chase rats and lizards but if your cat did, after the surgery nothing will change.

ADOPT A PET

Every animal no matter the breed deserves a loving home and a family that has the resources to care for it. We encourage you to adopt a new furry friend today.

Our mission is to promote the compassionate treatment of animals through education, advocacy, veterinary care and the placing of unwanted animals in loving homes. We strive towards the improvement of conditions at the pounds and abattoirs, as well as the racetrack and riding establishments in Jamaica. Adopting a pet at the JSPCA is easy! Just come into our head office and choose from our wide selection of pets. After you have selected your pet, there is a quick and easy questionnaire to fill out, just to see if you meet the basic requirements to have the pet, and to give us an idea of the environment the pet will be going to, in order to make sure you have made the right choice. You pay your adoption fee, your spay/neuter surgery is scheduled and you pick up your new pet the next day. After that, you bring him/her back for a recheck, suture removal and possible vaccine in 7-10 days’ time. It’s as simple as that!