Adoption Process
Thank you for choosing to adopt your new family member from SICAW! You can feel confident working with us - we’re one of New York's longest operating and respected animal rescue organizations. In making the decision to adopt, you’re saving a life.
WHICH ONE DO I CHOOSE?
We like to think of ourselves as matchmakers. We work extensively with our animals so we have firsthand knowledge into their personalities. We can help by making recommendations based on your current life situation, so it’s a good match for both you and the animal. The first step in the process is to fill out an adoption application. If you’ve seen an animal you’ve connected with, you can list their name, along with a second, or third choice. You can submit your application online using the link below.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY?
After we review your application, we will contact you to discuss your choices and/or suggest other suitable choices. We will arrange for a meet & greet either at the PetSmart store or at the foster parent’s house so you can interact with the pet in person. A SICAW board member will do a home visit to ensure you can provide a safe & loving environment for the animal.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?
SICAW is 100% volunteer run. We rely on donations from the public and the help of unpaid volunteers to fund and operate our rescue efforts. Depending on available volunteers, the process can take a few days, or up to two weeks. Please be patient, and follow up if you haven’t heard from us. 718.948.5623
ARE THERE ANY FEES?
There is a $200 adoption fee ($250 for kittens), which helps cover spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, flea/tick and any other medical attention the animal needed when it was rescued. This fee helps us continue our work to save other animals.
HOW DO I TAKE MY PET HOME?
You’ve been approved and now you’re ready to take your pet home…CONGRATULATIONS! Your SICAW contact will work with you to arrange the best time and place to “hand off” your pet. Your contact will help you fill out your adoption paperwork and advise you on best practices for carriers, food and litter. We love each and every rescue animal, so we will be in contact to make sure that everyone is adjusting well. Please reach out to us with any questions you may have - no question is too big or too small!
AM I GUARANTEED A PET IF I FILL OUT THE ADOPTION APPLICATION?
Please note that filling out the application DOES NOT OBLIGATE YOU OR GUARANTEE your ability to adopt from SICAW. We take the well being of the animals in our care very seriously and we reserve the right to deny applications. There can often be mitigating circumstances as to why we deny an application – for example, there may already be several applications for a pet, or your home environment may not be the right fit for the pet (e.g., you have a small child and the pet doesn’t mesh with kids; you may travel for work leaving the pet alone for long periods of time with no company, etc.)