Our new pre-adopt program allows members of the public to view and place holds on pets prior to the expiration of legally required hold periods. Allowing for pre-adoption is an effective strategy for reducing the length of stay for pets in the shelter. The less time a pet spends in a shelter, the better! By expediting the movement of animals from intake to outcome, we can better manage our capacity and ensure that more animals find their forever homes sooner.

We have continued to evaluate our processes for ensuring that we are providing the most humane care for the animals of Buncombe County and at the center of every conversation is the impact that length of stay has on the mental and physical wellbeing of animals. By being pre-adopted, the animal will be able to go home to their new loving family as soon as they are completely cleared! A $20 fee will be required to pre-adopt an animal. If an animal is reclaimed, we will work with you to transfer that $20 fee to another animal!

Benefits of Pre-Adoption

One of the primary advantages of the pre-adoption program is that it helps alleviate overcrowding in the shelter. When pets have a planned outcome through pre-adoption, they can be processed and moved out of the shelter more quickly, freeing up space for new arrivals. This continuous flow not only reduces the strain on shelter resources but also improves the overall well-being of the animals by minimizing their time in a stressful environment.

Additionally, the pre-adoption process allows prospective adopters to express their interest in a pet early on. By providing behavioral and medical histories of eligible pets, the Asheville Humane Society ensures that adopters are well-informed to make thoughtful decisions. This transparency builds trust with the wider community and increases the likelihood of successful adoptions. Moreover, the non-refundable deposit system ensures that only serious adopters participate in the pre-adoption program, further streamlining the adoption process.

Potential adopters are still able to participate in meet-and-greet sessions before finalizing the adoption. This step ensures that the match is suitable for both the pet and the adopter, reducing the chances of returns and rehoming. Also, by permitting two pre-adoptions per pet and maintaining a secondary list, we are able to maximize the chances of each animal finding a home, even if the primary adoption falls through. 

Based on best practices in the animal welfare industry, the new pre-adoption program at the Asheville Humane Society is a well-thought-out approach to reducing shelter stay times, managing capacity, and promoting successful adoptions. By allowing interested adopters to place early holds on pets, we are ensuring more animals find loving homes quickly and efficiently which is our ultimate goal.

To view animals who are eligible for pre-adopt, visit the available animal pages on our website and look for the section titled “Coming Soon.”