We Don't Sell Pets - We Adopt Them Into Loving Families!

We are dedicated to finding the best homes possible for our dogs and cats. The animals in our care often came to us because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Sometimes they were surrendered by a person who couldn't care for them appropriately. But because they were lucky enough to find themselves at ARL, these animals have a second chance. They've already had a hard life, so we owe it to them to screen their new families very carefully -- and we take our screening process very seriously. We want these animals' adoptive homes to be safe, loving, and permanent!

We go to great lengths to assure a good match between an animal and the new family environment. We want the animals and your families to be safe and happy. Our adoption policies reflect this commitment.

Our adoption screening process includes completing a thorough application, providing proof of address, and perhaps allowing us to do a home check. We often ask adopters to bring their own dogs out to the shelter to meet the dog they would like to adopt. We review each application individually, so allow enough time to visit with the animals, complete the application and interview with our adoption staff. Once an application is approved, our adoption fee is $45, which includes some basic medical care (that our animals routinely receive), any other medical treatment the animal might have already received, and sterilization. To recieve an application or contract via email, please contact rrartist4u@futura.net

Please be aware that we do not approve every adoption application we receive. If we believe for any reason that the animal is not a good match for an applicant, we reserve the right to not approve the adoption.

Adopting an animal is a long-term commitment that should not be made hastily, so take your time in making the decision to adopt! Carefully consider the time, money and energy it takes to care for a four-legged family member. Consider adopting an older animal, instead of a puppy or kitten. Or caring for a pet with special needs. Or taking two playmates together. We have dozens of great companion animals who need good homes. Let us help you find the right one for yours!

Statistics

Owning a pet is a big responsibility, one ARL feels shouldn't be taken lightly. The statistics displayed here demonstrate how important it is to take the role of pet guardian seriously.

• An estimated 52 million dogs and 57 million cats live with U.S. families.
• For every human born, seven puppies and kittens are born. One female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.
• One female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in six years.
• More than 12 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year. Millions more are abandoned in rural and urban areas.
• Little Rock's Animal Services took in over 7,000 animals in 1999. Over 5,000 were euthanized that same year. Jacksonville Animal Control saw 946 dogs and 361 cats brought to its shelter in 1999. Of those animals, 476 dogs and 319 cats were euthanized. North Little Rock Animal Control euthanized 1,160 dogs and 622 cats in 1999 while Sherwood Animal Services was forced to euthanize 120 dogs and 279 cats the same year.
• As many as 25 percent of the dogs entering shelters each year are purebreds.
• Approximately 61 percent of all dogs entering shelters are killed.
• Approximately 75 percent of all cats entering shelters are killed.
• There are approximately 62,400,000 owned dogs in the United States.
• Nearly four in ten (or 39,000,000) households own at least one dog.
• There are approximately 64,250,000 owned cats in the United States.
• Three in ten (or 32,128,000) U.S. households own at least one cat.
• Litter Killing unwanted animals is not the answer. The real answer is to spay and neuter.

Adopting a Family Pet

The ASPCA reminds you that adding a dog or cat to your family is a big decision and that you should act with your head, as well as your heart. If your family is thinking about getting a pet, consider these important points:

• Ask yourself and your children why they want a pet. Discuss their likes and dislikes, so you don't accidentally come home with a pet that frightens them. Don't forget pets are with you for 10 or 15 years.
• If you are getting a pet for your child, it is unrealistic to expect the child to do all the work. No matter how mature your child is, you will need to provide constant supervision and act as a back up when your child is unable to handle the responsibility.
• Make sure your family is ready for the changes an animal will bring into your home. Puppies need a lot of attention and training, can end up chewing household items, and do not remain small for long. Young animals have needle-sharp nails and milk teeth that can hurt youngsters by accident.
• Learn which type of dog breed would best suit you and your kids. Some breeds are more naturally bossy or high strung than others. Breeds like Labradors or Golden Retrievers are known to be more even tempered and will do well with children. Most toy-sized and touch-and noise-sensitive dogs are not suitable for young children.
• Make sure no one in your family has allergies. If you are unsure about your children, have them spend time (several hours minimum) in the home of pet-owning friends before bringing home a dog or cat.
• Teach your family and kids about the pet before adopting. Educate yourself and your kids through reading books about pet care. Walking a dog several times a day, cleaning up feces, and feeding and bathing a pet are all part of the ongoing family responsibilities of caring for an animal.
• Young puppies and children may not mix well. Very young children may unwittingly mishandle or hurt a puppy or kitten, which are particularly vulnerable to being pulled at, dropped, or picked up inappropriately.
• Make sure the pet suits your home and lifestyle. Dogs require daily exercise and attention, and the size of the dog should be considered, since a large active dog may not be appropriate for a small apartment.

Remember, thinking before adopting will save the animal from being returned to the shelter and will offer the pet and family a long and satisfying life together.

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Most dogs and cats, with good care, can live to be ten- to 15-years old or older. Before you adopt a puppy or kitten, ask yourself these questions:

1. To get an idea how long a pet’s lifetime may be, consider how old you will be 15 years from now.
2. How many times do you think you might move in the next 15 years? Are you willing to move the pet too, and restrict your choice of housing to places where pets are allowed?
3. What major changes might happen in your life in the next 15 years? Marriage? Children? Are you willing to continue spending the time, energy, and money to care for your pet when taking on new responsibilities like these? What will you do if your spouse or children can’t get along with the pet?
4. If you’re getting a pet for children you have now, how old will they be in 15 years? Will you still want this pet after the kids have grown up and moved out?
5. Have you previously owned a pet who didn’t live with you for ten years or more? If so, what happened to her? What will you do differently with this pet to prevent him from going the way your previous pet did?

Going the Distance

• Responsible Pet Ownership
  "We’re moving" is one of the most common excuses given when owners leave their pets at the shelter. You can imagine how hard it is on an animal to be left behind. A pet may live ten- to 15- years, and most people don’t live in one place that long. Moving with pets can be a problem, but the time to consider these problems is before you adopt a pet.
• Renting and Pets
  If you are a renter, it can be very difficult to find a landlord who will allow pets. If you own a pet, you’ll have to restrict your choice of apartments to those where pets are allowed, and an extra damage deposit may be required. A pet who is neutered, tagged, and well behaved may help get a negative landlord in a positive mood. However, you must be careful that your dog isn’t annoying the neighbors with constant barking or your cat shredding the drapes.
• Expenses
  Moving with a pet can be expensive. If you don’t have a place to live lined up in the new city, you’ll have to board your pet at a kennel in the new area while you look around. If you fly to your destination, air freight charges, the cost of a sturdy pet carrier, and the expense of a visit to the veterinarian for a health certificate all add up.
• The Hard Truth
  If you can’t deal with the difficulties or expense of moving with a pet, don’t adopt one in the first place. Save yourself the guilt and heartbreak of leaving part of the family behind, and save a dog or cat the sadness of being rejected.

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Going On Two

	Their owners thought they were cute when they were young, but didn’t want a grown dog
	They grew up and spent most of their time in the backyard

	They are smart, and they love people
	They are young enough to learn quickly, and old enough to pay attention to their lessons
	They only need three things: Attention, affection, and training

If you provide all dogs with affection, attention and training, they will soon become super dogs, the kind your friends wish they could own.

Copyright American Humane Association © 2001, 2000, 1999

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Surrendering an Animal

Surrendering Procedure (in general) ARL admits new animals into the shelter by appointment on a space-available basis. Do not abandon animals on our premises or just show up with an animal, as we usually do not have space available immediately!

When we do have appropriate shelter space and can safely take in your owned or stray animal, we will make an appointment for you to bring the animal to ARL. When you arrive, we will ask you to complete a Surrender Form and will ask for a surrender fee to help us with the costs associated with caring for the animal. We will request as much information about the animal as you can provide, including information about the animal's health, behavior and personality. Veterinary records, if available, are particularly useful. We use this information to help evaluate potential adoptive homes and to help our staff and volunteers better care for the animal while he or she is in our shelter.

Once an animal is surrendered to us, the animal is permanently in our care and will not be returned to you. We will do our best to find a safe, loving, permanent adoptive home for him or her.

Breed Rescue Groups
Nearly every breed of dog and cat has a breed rescue group. These groups specialize in finding homes for particular breeds of dogs and cats, and are a good resource for persons needing to place purebred animals. The groups understand the individual traits associated with the breed and are adept at screening potential adoptive homes for them.

Some of these groups even accept animals that are not 100% purebred. These can be found in a variety of places, including on the internet, through the American Kennel Club, through the Cat Fanciers Association and through the Humane Society. A few of the local groups are listed below.

Golden Hearts Golden Retriever Rescue - (501) 758-9691 or (501) 791-0062
Greyhound Rescue - (501) 663-3646 or (870) 735-7317
Italian Greyhound Rescue - (501) 225-5271
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ARL, INC. 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation
ARL DOES NOT DESTROY HEALTHY OR TREATABLE ANIMALS IN OUR CARE
Animal Rescue League
3542 Hwy 130 E.· Almyra, AR 72003 · Arkansas County · USA
Randi · 870/992-3307 · Sue 870/992-3412 ·
rrartist4u@futura.net
arlonline@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2000 ARL. All rights reserved.
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