Are you thinking of bringing home a furry friend from the Delaware County Humane Society? If so, you'll be glad to know that all of the animals available for adoption receive basic medical exams, tests, and vaccinations. In addition, all dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered before they can go home with their new families. The knowledgeable staff at the shelter also observe and document the behavior of animals in their care. This information is made known to potential adoptive parents prior to placement.
Moreover, the staff member who performs euthanasia must remain present between the time the procedure begins and the time of death, and must verify that death has occurred using methods determined by regulations. In New Jersey, pet owners can be sure that their beloved pets are in good health before they come home. The state requires that shelters prioritize accepting animals from Delaware before accepting those from outside of the state. Shelters must also keep up-to-date lists of lost animals and try to match them with those declared found or in the shelter.
All stray animals must be published on the internet in sufficient detail so that their owners can recognize and claim them. If the opinion of the animal shelter management conflicts with an inspection, they may request that the Department review it. Animal shelters may be funded by tax money or donations, depending on whether they are run by local government or a nonprofit organization. Regulations regarding how many pets a person can foster may vary from place to place; some places restrict it to three or four while others are more lenient.
The Humane Society of the United States estimates that between 6 and 8 million animals end up in shelters and rescue centers each year, but less than half of them will be adopted. Any dog, cat, or other animal maintained or in the custody of an animal shelter that is not adopted, transferred to another shelter or animal rescue group, placed in a program for free-roaming cats, or claimed by its owner within 5 days may be euthanized - provided that no reasonable alternatives are available and certain requirements are met. For instance, Colorado's Companion Animal Care Centers Act requires that animals be sterilized by an authorized veterinarian before being discharged or that adopters sign an agreement to sterilize their pet within 90 days and pay a deposit fee to the shelter or rescue, which will be reimbursed upon proof of completion. Garza challenged an ordinance in court after being a member of a rescue organization that took in dogs and cats from shelters where euthanasia was planned.
