This area of our site is used as a forum for answering common questions asked about animal health and pet adoption. Please email CCHA with any questions you may have. Frequently asked questions that we get at the shelter:

Why do you charge for adoptions?
There are a number of reasons that we charge an adoption fee, but perhaps the biggest reason is because we have to. We are a private animal shelter. This means that we are not run on tax-based funding. Because of that, it is more important than ever that we raise money through fundraisers, donations, memberships, and adoptions. Even though we charge a fee for adoption, we ARE a non-profit organization, meaning that all money that comes into the shelter is put toward the cost of keeping the doors open to the animals that need us.

Why are the adoption fees the amount they are?
Adoption fees are the amount they are because that is the minimum charge that will allow us to afford the animals in our care. Once you account for the vaccinations, free veterinary exam, and identification tag that an adopted pet receives, the adoption fee is a good deal less than it might have been to have all of these things done yourself.

Does your shelter offer veterinary services?
No. If you are seeking a veterinarian, feel free to call the shelter for a list of clinics in the area that can care for your pet's veterinary needs.

How long do you keep your animals?
The animals at our shelter are not limited to a set amount of days they can spend at the shelter. We avoid euthanasia when at all possible, but sometimes animals are euthanized due to severe medical problems, temperament, and sadly, sometimes lack of room. Education, spaying/neutering, and responsible pet ownership can put an end to this problem. Often referred to as sterilization or neutering (for BOTH sexes), most often referred to as 'spaying' a female or 'neutering' a male.

Aren't the animals in shelters usually there for behavior problems or because they are strays?
Absolutely not. In fact, normally it is not a problem with the pet at all. Usually it has to do with a change in an owner's lifestyle (i.e. moving, no time, etc.) or other situational reasons (i.e. litters of pups or kittens, too many pets, responsibility, etc.). Most people are surprised to hear that, of the animals we take in (approximately 1,000 every year), only about half come in as strays. The other half are brought in by their owners.