1. I want to get my animal spayed/neutered. Do you do that there? [Spay/Neuter coupons]
We have a  spay/neuter assistance program for people that qualify as low-income. What you need to do is call down to our Pet Adoption Center anytime we're open - which is Tuesday through Saturday from Noon to 5pm - to find out if we currently have funding. You will need to bring with you proof of your income and a photo ID to show that you qualify for the program.  We will issue you a coupon to help with a portion of the cost  towards one spay/neuter surgery. For more info, see the Spay/Neuter page.

2. I want to adopt a cat/dog. What do I need to do? [Adoption Process]
You are welcome to take a look at all the animals we have available for adoption. If you are interested in anyone in particular you can fill out an adoption application and talk with one of our adoption counselors. Once your application is approved* you can visit with any animal that is available** for adoption. If you have another pet we will have you to bring them down to the shelter to introduce them the animal you are looking to adopt (dogs only), to make sure they get along before you bring your new pet home. Once you've made your decision we can process your adoption.

It generally takes about 20-30 minutes to fill out an adoption application and go through a consultation. The application is a 1-2 day process and you will be notified of your application status promptly.

*Adoption applications for individuals who lease cannot be approved until we receive confirmation from their landlord or rental agency that they accept pets, and that all applicable deposits have been paid. Home ownership may be confirmed by contacting the tax assessor's office.

**Animals are not available for adoption until they have been spayed/neutered and are deemed healthy.

3. How much does it cost to adopt an animal? [Adoption Fees]
There is a $110 adoption fee for each animal - which covers all tests, vaccinations (additional $12-20 charge for Rabies, if given at SHS) and care that animals have received, plus each animal has been spayed or neuter and all animals leave the shelter with a microchip which is registered in a national database.

4. I'm looking for a specific type or breed of animal. Do you have any? [Wish List]
We often receive small dogs and special breeds, but they tend to be adopted quickly because of the high demand. If we don't have what you are looking for now you are welcome to fill out an adoption application and talk to an adoption counselor. Let them know what kind of animal you are looking for and we will hold your approved application on file for a year, just keep an eye on our website, Petfinder and/or Facebook, when an animal comes in that interests you, just give us a call to place your name on the wish list!

5. I saw a sign that says that an animal is "not available" for adoption yet. What does this mean?
Animals are only "available" for adoption after they have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and have received a clean bill of health. If an animal is not available yet, chances are it either has not been altered or is still undergoing a health evaluation. If you are interested in a particular animal and it is not yet "available", you can go through our pre-adoption process and we will contact you to let you know when the animal will become available. We also encourage you to check back regularly to keep up-to-date on the animal's status.

6. I'd like to visit with an animal. Can I do that? [Adoption Policies]
If you'd like to visit with an animal we ask that you fill out an adoption application and talk with one of our adoption counselors first. Once your application is approved you are welcome to visit with any animal you like, so long as they are currently available for adoption.

7. So this animal is not available now - can you hold it for me? [Hold Policy]
You can put an animal on hold for 24-hours if they are currently available for adoption and you have an approved application on file. Holds may be extended for an additional 24-hours if there is not a secondary hold on the animal, that is, if no one else has also put in an application for that animal.

8. Has anyone else submitted an application for this dog/cat? How do you decide who gets to bring it home?
Generally we go by the approval date on the applications. We will compile a list of applicants for a pet until they become available for adoption, the order of the list is determined by the application approval date. Once an animal becomes available for adoption the person with the earliest approved application will have the first opportunity to meet with the pet and adopt them. We do require all household members meet with the potential adoptee during the hold period.  Dogs must meet with any other dogs living in the household. Our hold period, once the pet is deemed available, is 24 hours. If there are no other applicants on file for this pet, we may extend the hold for an additional 24 hours. However, if there is more than one applicant on the pet and you do not show up within your hold time, the next applicant will be promptly notified and given a 24 hour hold.

Please note that in some cases we receive an animal with special needs. When necessary for the health and well-being of that animal we will evaluate all adoption applications and select the one that we feel best fits the needs of that animal.

9. If it doesn't work out, can I bring an animal back? [Return Policy]

Our goal is to place animals in forever homes. To that end our adoption counselors make every effort to pair you with a pet that fits your lifestyle. It can be difficult for an animal to make the transition to a new home, only to be brought back to the shelter, so we encourage you to consider your choice of pet carefully before making a final decision.

We will accept animals back within 2-weeks after adoption; however, your adoption fee is considered a donation and will not be refunded. After a 2-week period animals may be put on our waiting list to be surrendered back to us. We do ask that adopters always contact us if, for some reason, they can no longer keep a pet that was adopted from our shelter. However, we cannot always guarantee to take that animal back into our adoption program at the time you are looking to re-home it.

10. Can I take an animal home before it has been spayed/neutered?
By law, all animal shelters and rescues in California must spay/neuter cats and dogs prior to adoption. Animals can be altered as young as 8 weeks of age, and kittens must be at least 2 pounds at the time of surgery.

11. I want to get my animal micro-chipped - do you do that?
Yes! The Sequoia Humane Society can microchip your pet for only $50. No appointment is necessary - just bring your cat or dog to our Pet Adoption Center Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5pm. Save 50% off the regular price every Tuesday!

12. I need to find another home for my cat/dog - will you take them? [Surrender Policy]
As a no-kill shelter, the Sequoia Humane Society can only take in as many animals as we currently have space for. We would be happy to take some information about your pet and place them on our waiting list. As other animals are adopted and space becomes available we will call you to schedule an intake appointment for a temperament evaluation. There is a surrender fee -- $30 for cats and $50 for dogs. We test all cats and kittens for feline leukemia and feline AIDS and dogs for heart-worm and distemper - these tests cost an additional $25, unless you can provide proof of a negative test result from a veterinarian dated within the past 30 days. In certain cases these fees may be waived, for example, if you have proof from your veterinarian that your dog has been on heart-worm medication and has been vaccinated.

We can also put a picture and description of your pet on our 'private adoptions' webpage to help you re-home them directly. Other ways you might try to re-home your pet is by contacting the Friends for Life Matchmaker Program at 442-5999, and by posting signs at local vet hospitals, pet stores, in the newspaper, and at your place of work.

We are a small shelter and cannot take in every animal that is in need of a home. As a last resort you can contact the Humboldt County Animal Shelter at 840-9132. They are not a no-kill facility, but have an excellent track record of placing adoptable pets.

13. I found kittens/puppies - will you take them? [Surrender Policy]
Lost and stray animals may be brought to the Humboldt County Animal Shelter in McKinleyville. If we have space we can take in kittens and puppies (see surrender policy above.)

14. I need to get my cat/dog vaccinated - do you do that there?
We are not a veterinary facility and do not offer vaccination services. However, many local veterinarians have low-cost vaccination clinics where you can have your pet vaccinated at a reduced rate. Times and dates vary by clinic - we recommend you call the veterinary hospital closest to you and ask for their vaccination clinic schedule.

15. I lost my pet - do you have it there?
No - all lost and stray animals go to the Humboldt County Animal Shelter in McKinleyville. You can call them at 840-9132 to file a lost report and see if your pet has been brought there. You may also want to check their website on www.Petharbor.com to see a list of lost animals. You will need to enter your zip code and select 'Humboldt County Animal Care and Control', then click on the button that says, "I Lost My Pet".

16. I want to have my pet euthanized - do you perform this service?
No, we no longer perform euthanasia services. Please contact a veterinarian directly.

17. Where are you located?
Our Pet Adoption Center is located just east of the King Salmon exit, south of Eureka. From the north, take 101 south three exits past K-Mart in Eureka to King Salmon, then turn left and go under the freeway - you will see us on your left hand side. From the south, take 101 north to the King Salmon exit - turn right and we will be on your left (right next to the South Bay School).

18. When are you open? [Hours of Operation]
We are open for adoption, spay/neuter vouchers and microchipping Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5pm. Animals may be relinquished by appointment only.