Macon County

We are looking for caring, loving, and responsible individuals to care for our precious animals! Before considering to adopt, please read over these guidelines from our adoption contract:

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• You must agree to a home visit by MCHS to ensure a proper living and care environment

• You agree to providing proper care (food, water, adequate shelter, and kind treatment at all times

• You agree to take the animal to veterinary care for examinations and immunizations as needed 

• You agree to license the animal in compliance with the laws and ordinances in forces in the municipality in which i reside 

• You agree to notify MCHS if you decide, at any time, that you can no longer keep the animal. You agree NOT to take the animal to an animal shelter (or other rescue organization) or give the animal away to relatives, friends, strangers, or other without WRITTEN CONSENT from MCHS. As we are strictly foster-based, we require a minimum of 7 days  to re-foster the animal, if necessary. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.

• You agree NOT to let the animal be used for medical or experimental procedures.

• You understand that MCHS cannot guarantee the health, temperament, or training of the above described animal and hereby release MCHS of all liability once the animal is under your supervision.

• You agree to NOT let the animal remain outdoors and unsupervised for long periods of time, unless in a secure location with proper food, water, and shelter. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.

• You agree NOT to abuse or neglect the animal as stated in the Code of Alabama of 1975.This includes engaging in dog fighting or other similar activity.

• You agree NOT to permanently confine the animal by tying and/or chaining the animal to a stationary structure/object

• You understand that if you breach any part of the adoption contract, a fine of $5,000 will be levied.

• Most important, you agree to love and take care of the animal from MCHS to the best of your ability!

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Spay/Neuter Agreement: 

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As one of our goals at MCHS is to reduce the overpopulation of animals in the community, we require that all animals from MCHS be spayed/neutered (NO EXCEPTIONS).

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Before adopting an animal, you are required to sign a spay/neuter agreement stating: "I am fully aware that the animal above that i am adopting has not been spayed/neutered at the time of adoption. I agree to coordinate with MCHS to have the adopted animal to be spayed/neutered within 30 days from this date or no later than 6 months of age. I understand that if the spay/neuter surgery is performed at a veterinarian other than those used by MCHS, it will be at my personal expense and written verification of sterilization must be provided within the same time frame."

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Alabama Code 1975 3-9-1 to 4, provides that all animals acquired from a humane society and not sterile at the time of the acquisition be sterilized by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of acquisition of the animal or within 30 days of sexual maturity (6 months of age) of the animal. Failing to or refusing to comply with this code is a misdemeanor and any person convicted of such a misdemeanor is subject to a fine of up to $200 and court costs. 

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The law reads:

(a) Any public or private animal shelter, animal control agency operated by a political subdivision of this state, or humane society shall make provisions for the sterilization of all dogs or cats acquired from a shelter, agency, or humane society by providing for all of the following:

(1) Sterilization by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the animal.

(2) Entering into a written agreement with the person acquiring the animal guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days after acquisition of the animal, or within 30 days of the sexual maturity of an animal.

(b) The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to any privately owned animal in possession of a shelter, agency, or humane society if the owner of the animal claims or presents evidence that the animal is the property of that person.

(c) All costs of sterilization pursuant to this chapter shall be the responsibility of the person acquiring the animal, and if sterilization is performed prior to acquisition, may be included in any fees charged by the shelter, agency, or humane society for an animal.

(d) Any person acquiring an animal from a public or private animal shelter, animal control agency operated by a political subdivision of this state, or humane society from which an animal is not sterile at the time of acquisition, shall submit to the animal shelter, animal control agency, humane society, or public or private animal shelter a signed statement from the licensed veterinarian attesting that a sterilization procedure has been performed by the veterinarian within seven days after the sterilization.

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If you are interested in reading more about the Alabama State Laws regarding Animals, you may read more here!

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