Choose A Responsible Adoption Organization
An Informed Adopter Is a Prepared Adopter
How to Choose a Responsible Adoption Organization
Bringing home a new pet should be exciting. Whether you adopt from a rescue, shelter, humane organization, or another source, you also deserve to know exactly what you are bringing home.
Adoption organizations do not all follow identical medical protocols. The words “vaccinated,” “dewormed,” “vetted,” or “adoption ready” can mean very different things depending on the organization.
CAC created this guide to help adopters know what questions to ask, what records to request, and how to protect both their newly adopted pet and the animals already living in their home.
“Fully vetted” isn’t a medical record.
Ask what was actually done, when it was done, and what care is still due.
This isn’t about where you should adopt.
We encourage you to ask these questions wherever you choose to adopt, including from Companion Animal Coalition. A responsible organization should be comfortable explaining its medical protocols, providing available records, discussing known concerns, and telling you what care your new pet may still need.
Before You Adopt, Ask Questions
You aren’t being difficult. You are making an informed decision about an animal who may live with you for the next 15–20 years.
Which vaccines were given?
Ask for the name of each vaccine and the date it was administered. For kittens especially, ask whether additional FVRCP boosters are still due.
Was the cat tested for FeLV and FIV?
Ask whether testing was performed, when it was performed, what the results were, and whether repeat or confirmatory testing has been recommended.
What parasite treatment was given?
“Dewormed” isn’t specific. Ask which medication was used, when it was administered, how many doses were given, and whether additional treatment is needed.
Is the animal spayed or neutered?
If not, ask why, when the procedure is expected to occur, who is responsible for arranging it, and who is responsible for the cost.
Can I have the medical records?
Ask for documentation of vaccines, testing, medications, procedures, known diagnoses, and other available medical history.
Understanding Pre-Adoption Medical Care
Medical needs vary by age, history, health status, exposure risk, veterinary recommendations, and circumstances. The important thing is knowing what your individual animal has — and has not — received.
FVRCP Vaccination
FVRCP is a core feline vaccine that protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), calicivirus, and panleukopenia.
For kittens, a single FVRCP vaccine should not automatically be interpreted as a completed vaccination series. Kittens generally receive a series of vaccines because maternal antibodies can interfere with the immune response to vaccines early in life.
Ask:
- How many FVRCP vaccines has this cat received?
- On what dates?
- How old was the kitten when each vaccine was given?
- When is the next booster due?
Rabies Vaccination
Ask whether the cat has received a rabies vaccine if age-appropriate and request documentation showing the date administered and when the next vaccination is due.
If rabies vaccination has not yet been performed, ask when it should be completed and whether that responsibility will fall to you after adoption. Remember: Rabies vaccines are required by Pennsylvania law.
FeLV & FIV Testing
FeLV stands for Feline Leukemia Virus. FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Both are feline retroviruses, but they behave and spread differently.
Testing provides important information about a cat’s health and can be particularly important when introducing a new cat into a household with resident cats.
Ask the adoption organization:
- Was this cat tested for FeLV?
- Was this cat tested for FIV?
- On what date was testing performed?
- What were the results?
- Was there a possible recent exposure?
- Has repeat or confirmatory testing been recommended?
A positive FeLV or FIV screening result also does not automatically mean that a cat cannot be adopted. Adopters should instead receive accurate information about the result, recommended follow-up, long-term care, and considerations for other cats in the household.
Deworming & Internal Parasites
The word “dewormed” doesn’t tell you which parasites were actually treated.
Different medications target different parasites. One dose of one medication should not automatically be interpreted as meaning an animal is free from all intestinal parasites.
Ask:
- Which deworming medication was administered?
- How many doses were given?
- On what dates?
- Was a fecal test performed?
- Were parasites identified?
- Is additional treatment or testing recommended?
Fleas, Ear Mites & External Parasites
Ask whether the animal was checked or treated for fleas, ear mites, ticks, lice, or other external parasites.
If treatment was given, ask for the product and date. This is especially important because certain flea and parasite medications should not be combined or repeated too soon.
Flea treatment does not always mean flea prevention. For example, Capstar (nitenpyram) is a short-acting medication that rapidly kills adult fleas currently on a dog or cat. It begins working quickly, but its flea-killing activity is short-lived. It should not be confused with a longer-acting flea preventive that continues protecting the animal after treatment.
Spay & Neuter
Determine whether the animal has already been spayed or neutered.
If surgery has not yet occurred, ask for the organization’s exact policy. Find out who schedules the procedure, who pays for it, when it must occur, and what happens if the procedure cannot be completed as originally scheduled.
Known Illness & Disease Exposure
Responsible adoption conversations should include known medical concerns and relevant disease exposure.
Ask whether the animal has recently experienced:
- Sneezing, congestion, or eye/nasal discharge
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Fever or lethargy
- Hair loss or suspected ringworm
- Fleas or other parasites
- Known exposure to panleukopenia or other contagious disease
- Any other diagnosed or suspected medical condition
Having had an illness does not make an animal a bad adoption candidate. What matters is transparency so that you can make appropriate decisions for the new animal and your existing pets.
Don’t compare adoption fees alone. Compare what the fee represents.
Two organizations can charge similar adoption fees while providing very different levels of veterinary care before adoption. Likewise, a higher fee does not automatically mean that more medical care was provided.
Ask for specifics. Which vaccines were administered? How many? Was FeLV/FIV testing performed? Which parasite treatments were given? Has the animal been altered? Was the animal examined? What care will become your responsibility immediately after adoption?
The price tag alone doesn’t answer those questions. The medical record does.
You Aren’t Only Protecting Your New Pet
If animals already live in your home, the medical history of a new animal matters to them, too.
Prepare a separate room.
Give the newcomer a quiet room with their own litter box, food, water, bedding, hiding places, and other necessities rather than immediately giving them access to the entire home.
Don’t rush face-to-face introductions.
A new environment is stressful. Allow the newcomer time to settle while keeping them separate from resident pets initially.
Review medical history first.
Know the new cat’s vaccination history, FeLV/FIV testing status, parasite treatment, recent symptoms, and known disease exposures.
Schedule veterinary care.
Establish your new pet with your veterinarian and bring all records supplied by the adoption organization. Your veterinarian can identify what care or follow-up is still needed.
Watch for signs of illness.
Monitor appetite, energy, stool, vomiting, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, skin changes, and other signs of illness. Contact your veterinarian if you have concerns.
Introduce pets gradually.
Once medical concerns have been addressed and the newcomer has had time to decompress, begin gradual introductions rather than simply placing unfamiliar animals together.
What Should You Look For?
No organization is perfect. What matters is whether it operates transparently and can explain the care its animals receive.
Green Flags
- Provides available medical records
- Can tell you exactly which vaccines were given and when
- Can explain whether additional vaccines are due
- Discloses FeLV/FIV testing status and results
- Explains positive or uncertain test results instead of hiding them
- Can identify parasite medications and treatment dates
- Discloses known illnesses and medical concerns
- Answers questions without becoming defensive
- Explains what medical care becomes the adopter’s responsibility
- Has a clear return policy
- Offers guidance or support after adoption
- Encourages appropriate veterinary follow-up
Red Flags
- Cannot or will not provide available medical documentation
- Uses vague terms like “all shots” without being able to explain what was given
- Cannot tell you when vaccines or medications were administered
- Says “dewormed” but cannot identify what medication was used
- Will not discuss FeLV/FIV testing or known test results
- Does not disclose known contagious illness or significant medical concerns
- Pressures you to take an animal immediately without answering reasonable questions
- Discourages you from seeking veterinary care or another medical opinion
- Has no clear plan for animals whose adoptions do not work out
- Becomes defensive when you ask reasonable questions about medical care
Your Adoption Comparison Checklist
Considering animals from more than one organization? Compare the actual care and support provided — not just the adoption fee.
| Ask About | Organization A | Organization B |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption Fee | ||
| Veterinary Examination | ||
| FVRCP – Number of Doses & Dates | ||
| Additional FVRCP Booster Due? | ||
| Rabies Vaccine if Age-Appropriate | ||
| FeLV Testing & Result | ||
| FIV Testing & Result | ||
| Dewormer Used & Dates | ||
| Fecal Testing, if Performed | ||
| Flea / External Parasite Treatment | ||
| Spayed / Neutered | ||
| Known Medical Conditions Disclosed | ||
| Known Infectious Disease Exposure Disclosed | ||
| Medical Records Provided | ||
| Return Policy | ||
| Post-Adoption Support | ||
| Immediate Care You’ll Need to Pay For |
It’s Okay to Ask
Not sure how to start the conversation? These are completely reasonable questions for an adopter to ask.
“Can I see their medical records before I adopt?”
Medical documentation can help you understand what has already been completed and what your veterinarian may still recommend after adoption.
“When you say vaccinated, exactly which vaccines have they received?”
Ask for the vaccine name, number of doses, dates administered, and when the next vaccine is due.
“What did you use to deworm them?”
This tells you much more than simply being told an animal was “dewormed.” Ask which medication was given, how many doses were administered, and whether further treatment is recommended.
“Were they tested for FeLV and FIV?”
Ask for the result and testing date. If the result was positive, uncertain, or potentially affected by age or recent exposure, ask what follow-up testing has been performed or recommended.
“I already have cats. Is there anything I need to know before bringing this cat home?”
Tell the organization about the animals already in your home. Ask about recent illness, infectious disease exposure, vaccination and testing history, parasite treatment, and recommended precautions before introductions.
“What happens if the adoption doesn’t work out?”
Ask about the organization’s return policy before you adopt. Responsible placement should include a plan for what happens if circumstances change or the animal is not a safe or appropriate fit for the household.
An Informed Adopter Is a Prepared Adopter
Choosing where to adopt is your decision. Our goal is simply to make sure you have the information necessary to make that decision confidently and responsibly.
Ask questions. Request records. Understand what medical care has been completed. Know what still needs to be done. And if you already have pets, consider their health and safety before bringing a new animal into the home.
These are questions we believe adopters should be able to ask any organization — including ours.
CAC U educational materials are intended to provide general information and are not a substitute for veterinary advice. Medical recommendations for an individual animal should be discussed with a licensed veterinarian.
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