Where did the pet I am adopting come from?
Many of the dogs and cats in our program are stray animals found by a local resident who was unable to keep the pet forever, but did not want the pet to endure the trauma and possible death of being surrendered at our local shelter. The finder invested in this pet by fostering until we were able to find an adopter.
Other times, the dogs and cats in our program are from "oops" litters. Working with these owners to get all of their pets fixed plus the new litter helps stop the cycle of unwanted litters and saves the litter from being surrendered to the local shelter.
What is the breed?
Most of the time we can only make an educated guess. We call most of the dogs in our care “West Texas Specials." It is very rare for us to have a fullblood of anything.
Is the pet potty trained or litter box trained?
Some of the dogs and cats that have been in foster homes are potty and litter box trained. However, all pets can have accidents when they first move to a new home, while they establish their new routine.
If the pet is not potty trained or litter box trained, you will need to be able to put in the time and effort to train your new companion. This can take several weeks when transitioning a new pet into a home.
What happens if the pet does not work out in our home?
Please contact us immediately if you can no longer care for or keep your new pet.
Under the terms of the contract you signed upon adoption, you are required to foster the pet until placement can be made into a foster home or until the pet is re-adopted; whichever comes first. This can generally take a week or two, depending on the pet.
Is the pet good with children, other dogs, cats, livestock?
We will let you know everything we have observed while the pet has been in our care and any information we have from a previous owner (if applicable).
What’s the adoption process like?
Pretty straightforward. Here’s the step-by-step:
You fill out a dog or cat adoption application/questionnaire online, by clicking on the pet of your choice.
Once we receive the application/questionnaire, we will reach out to you and schedule a meet and greet.
If you decide to adopt, you finalize the adoption by completing the link we text you. That includes paying the adoption fee, reviewing and signing the adoption contract, receiving the medical records and dog license (if applicable), and our favorite part — the adoption photo!
How do I find out what animals are up for adoption?
You can see the animals currently looking for homes under the Adopt tab on our website. We also suggest following us on social media because we often share announcements about animals needing homes. PLEASE NOTE: All of our dogs and cats are in foster homes, NOT at our office.
Why do you keep your animals in foster homes?
We do not have a permanent shelter to house any animals. We feel it is much healthier for an animal to be in a home than in a cage. We can also learn much more about the dog or cat’s personality, needs, training level, etc.
What is your adoption fee and what does it include?
Our adoption fee is $75 for kittens and puppies under 6 months old. The adoption fee is $50 for adult dogs and cats.
The adoption fee for all dogs and cats includes their spay/neuter surgery, age appropriate core vaccinations, microchip, flea/tick preventative and dewormer.
If the animal adopted is too young at the time of adoption to have been altered, your adoption contract requires the animal to be spayed/neutered within 30 days.
How do I contact you?
If you have questions about the status of your adoption application, please email
ad*******@fi**********.org
.
If you are fostering an animal and need assistance, please email your foster coordinator or fo*****@fi**********.org .
For media, donation questions, or all other issues please email ka***@fi**********.org .
I’m adopting a puppy! When is it safe to let her out on the ground with other dogs?
It’s safe to let your new puppy on the ground and with other dogs as long as your puppy has had its final round of puppy vaccines, which is usually between 16 and 20 weeks.
For puppies that have not yet had their final round of vaccines, please avoid letting them walk around on the ground in areas that are highly trafficked by other dogs, such as parks, dog runs, and pet stores.
What happens if there are multiple applicants for the same pet?
Fix West Texas will screen the applications on a first-come, first-serve basis.
How old do you have to be to adopt?
You must be at least 18 years old in order to adopt from us. If you live with your parents, we must have verbal permission from them that you are allowed to adopt the animal.
What if I get home, and it is not a good match?
We can have one of our trainers help you with tips for the transition. In the rare event that is not successful, we will take the pet back so another family can make it a part of their loving home. Please remember because we are foster-based, it can take 48-72 hours to find a foster or another potential adopter.
If the adoption doesn’t work out for some reason, can I return the animal to you?
Yes. According to the adoption contract you sign, you are legally obligated to inform us if you are no longer able to keep the pet you adopted for any reason and at any point after adoption so that we can take him or her back into our program. However, it is your responsibility to foster the pet until we can find a foster or adopter.
How do I get the animal’s medical records? We will email the medical records and micro-chip information to you, along with a copy of your adoption contract.
