1. Why do I have to pay to adopt a pet?
2. Why do I need to license my dog?
3. Isn't it stressful working at the Shelter?
4. Why do I have to pay to redeem my pet?
5. How long are animals held at the Shelter?
6. After adopting from the Shelter, can I take my new pet to my own vet to be spayed/neutered?
7. Does it cost anything to turn in a pet?
8. Do you pick up animals from owners?
9. Do you give rabies vaccinations?
10. Do you spay/neuter pets at the Shelter?
11. How do you euthanize animals?
12. How often do dogs and cats go into "season"?
13. What is a 5-in-1 vaccine?
14. What is Parvo?
15. What does spay or neuter mean?
16. Why can't I bring my dog to the Shelter to meet other dogs?
17. Why doesn't the Shelter offer Pit Bulls and Rottweilers for adoption?
18. Why do I physically have to come to the Shelter to look for my pet?
19. Does the Shelter help owners get their animals fixed?
20. How much does it cost to adopt an animal?

1. Why do I have to pay to adopt a pet?
   Fees cover the cost of spay/neuter, vaccinations, license, and administrative costs.
2. Why do I need to license and microchip my dog/cat?
   A dog/cat license is a permit to keep a dog/cat within the City/County limits. It is similar to licensing your vehicle. Licensing allows the City/County to keep track of current rabies vaccinations. Another benefit is a found, licensed dog/cat can be identified returned to the owner, if the dog/cat is wearing the registration tag.
3. Isn't it stressful working at the Shelter?
   We all love animals and would rather see them safely at the Shelter, rather than running the streets. We get to see many happy reunions with pet owners. Although the job can be stressful, many wonderful pets are placed with nice families every day. All animals adopted from the Shelter are spayed/neutered, if over 2 months old before they go home with their newly adopted family.
4. Why do I have to pay to redeem my pet?
   There are City / County ordinances regarding pets running loose. Fees cover the costs of caring and feeding, fines from the State for bringing unaltered animals into the Shelter, humane education, programs for low-cost spay and neutering. Follow the links below for more information regarding either City or County ordinances.
5. How long are animals held at the Shelter?
   Animals are first put on a hold for four business days to wait for animal owners to come in and claim them. The animals are then evaluated for adoption. Animals passing the temperament test are moved up for adoptions. Adoptable animals are kept in adoption cages until adopted or re-evaluated, if they are not sold to a rescue group. Every effort is made to adopt them out.
6. After adopting from the Shelter, can I take my new pet to my own vet to be spayed/neutered?
   We will make every effort to transport animals to a local vet, if the vet has the time to alter the animal.  We use veterinarians on a rotation schedule for altering.  By using one of our vets, you receive a reasonable, pre-set price.
7. Does it cost anything to turn in a pet?
   Yes, the fee is $16.75. A drivers' license is required for identification.
8. Do you pick up animals from owners?
   This is done on a case-by-case basis. There is a $49.25 fee.
9. Do you give rabies vaccinations?
   No. Rabies vaccinations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. We do offer a rabies vaccination clinic.
10. Do you spay/neuter pets at the Shelter?
    No. These procedures must be performed by a veterinarian. We do not have veterinarians on staff at the Shelter.
11. How do you euthanize animals?
    They are given an intravenous lethal injection of Sodium Pentobarbital, which causes the animal to humanely die with no pain.
12. How often do dogs and cats go into "season"?
    Animals can go into"season" several times a year, which can result in numerous litters of unwanted animals.
13. What is a 5-in-1 vaccination?
    This vaccination is give to dogs/cats to help protect against deadly diseases, such as Distemper, Hepatitis - type 1 & 2, Para Influenza, and Parvo.
14. What is Parvo?
    Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that is transmitted mostly by dogs/cats orally contacting infected feces.
15. What does spay or neuter mean?
    This is surgical procedure performed on animals to render them incapable of reproducing.
16. Why can't I bring my dog/cat to the Shelter to meet other dogs/cats?
    Due the high volume of animals we encounter at the Shelter, we cannot guarantee that all the animals are healthy. We do not want your dog/cat to get sick.
17. Why doesn't the Shelter offer Pit Bulls and Rottweilers for adoption?
    All dogs eligible for adoption are adoptable if they have the appropriate temperament.
18. Why do I physically have to come to the Shelter to look for my pet?
    We have a high volume of animals at the Shelter. We may not describe your pet the way you would describe them. Only you can identify your pet. Another option is to check this website to see if your pet is shown on the Found-Stray Animals page.
19. Does the Shelter help owners get their animals fixed?
    There are spay/neuter vouchers available at certain times through our volunteer group, Stockton Animal Shelter Friends.
20. How much does it cost to adopt an animal?
    See the fee schedule for more information.

Page updated June 30, 2008