Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a shelter where I can go and see the animals?
Where do your animals come from?
What shots do the animals receive?
Is there an adoption fee?
What is the process for adopting a cat?
What is the process for adopting a dog?
I can no longer keep my dog/cat, will POA help me?

Do you have a shelter where I can go and see the animals?

We encourage you to "shop" for a dog or cat here at our website. We try to keep the photos and descriptions of available cats and dogs as current as possible. See the links to Cat Adoptions and Dog Adoptions. If there is a particular animal that interests you, you can easily send us an e-mail or call us at the phone number listed. We will be happy to talk with you about the animal and arrange a time for you to see it. POA’s cats are housed in a shelter and our dogs are housed in private kennels.

Where do your animals come from?

We take in cats and kittens that are abandoned, abused and stray.  They are found in different types of places around Hartford County by POA Volunteers or concerned citizens.  In certain cases, we respond to calls about cats and kittens in distress from citizens, police officers, realtors, animal control officers, maintenance workers and other rescue groups. 

By state law, a stray, abandoned or abused dog must first go to the local animal control department. The dog is then advertised locally for 7 days after which the dog may legally be euthanized. We work closely with animal control officers to identify the placeable dogs and if they are not returned to their owners, POA assumes responsibility for them.

What shots do the animals receive?

All of our cats and kittens are tested for FIV (insert link to FIV fact page) and Feline Leukemia.  They are all given their Rabies and Distemper vaccines and are comprehensively treated for fleas, worms and ear mites.  Kittens receive at least one Distemper booster vaccine.  All of our cats and kittens receive any necessary medical treatments for whatever aliments they may have upon rescue.   ALL of our cats AND kittens are spay/neutered before adoption.

As soon as a dog comes under our care it is also vet checked. Every dog receives rabies, parvovirus, distemper, and bordatella vaccinations and they are checked for heartworm. Dogs are also treated for worms and any other ailments they may have. All dogs over 6 months old are spayed or neutered before they may be adopted.

Is there an adoption fee?

POA does not charge an adoption “fee”.  It costs POA anywhere from $100 and $200, or more, per dog,cat and kitten to make them well and prepare them for adoption. We are an all donation organization and we rely on adoption donations to help us continue our work. When you adopt a cat or dog, we will ask for a donation.

What is the process for adopting a cat?

Prior to making an appointment to adopt a cat or kitten, there are screening and application processes that all potential adopters must go through.  This will be done with an Placement Team member, and may be done over the phone or in person.  The amount of time the application process takes varies with each individual.  We work by appointment only and schedule appointments for weekday evenings and on Saturdays.  If there is a specific time you are available, our Placement Team will work with you to schedule an appointment that is convenient.

Our Adoption Center is conveniently located off a major highway and we will provide specific directions when we arrange for your visit.  One of our experienced Placement Team members will meet with you and show you the cat or kitten you are interested in, or will guide you towards cats or kittens that are appropriate for your home environment.  We will discuss with you the background of the cat or kitten and what special needs or requirements he or she may have.  Our Placement Team members are knowledgeable about cat and kitten care, introduction procedures, and other topics relevant to adopting a cat and kitten; we will happily take the time to carefully answer any questions you have or discuss any concerns.  The adoption process can be lengthy, so please schedule your day appropriately. 

All newly adopted cats or kittens must leave our Adoption Center in a sturdy cat carrier only.  Cats and kittens will not be allowed to leave in your hands or cardboard carriers. 

The POA Adoption Contract requires that your adopted cat or kitten be returned to POA only, should the adoption not work out or if you can no longer care for the cat or kitten.

If you have additional questions or wish to begin the adoption process, please call the Adoption Center to speak with one of our Placement Team members.  We return calls in the evenings and on weekends, so please leave a message with a number where you can be reached at these times.

What is the process for adopting a dog?

The ideal dog adopter is currently a responsible dog owner or has owned a dog before, and has a fenced yard or convenient area to provide the dog with adequate exercise. Beyond that, we look for the type of household where a specific dog would do best. Some thrive in an active household with children; others need a quiet home; some dogs are perfectly happy to be lap dogs and require walking but not extensive exercise, others need a lot of exercise and owners who are active hikers. We try very hard to understand each dog’s temperament and match with the right type of owner.

Adoption Information:

We show a dog by appointment only. You will have the opportunity to spend time with the dog and speak with a POA Dog Placement volunteer.

We also require that everyone in the household see and interact with the dog before we agree to the placement.

As a matter of policy we do not place POA dogs in households with children under the age of 6 or where small children (e.g. grandchildren) are frequent visitors. We do this both for the protection of the child and for the dog’s welfare.

We do not place dogs outside Connecticut. We need to be able to check on the dog if need be; and, by contract we require that any dog placed by POA be returned to us if the placement does not work out or if the owner can no longer keep the dog. People who adopt from out of state may be reluctant to drive back to return the dog to us.

I can no longer keep my dog/cat, will POA help me?

POA’s Constitution stipulates that we rescue only abandoned and/or stray companion animals, and that we always accept the return of a POA cat or dog, at any time, throughout the life of the cat or dog. 

However, if you have a companion animal that was not originally a POA cat or dog, and you can no longer care for him or her, POA can offer you advice on re-homing.  However, we understand that there may be times of unforeseen extreme circumstances that necessitate the surrender of your cat or dog, and in these cases we may be able to help.  Otherwise, our experienced Placement Team members will guide in the proper way to re-home your companion animal. 

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