Pet Name:

Applicant's Last Name:

Thank you for your interest in adopting an AWF pet. The information on this page is presented so that you have a clear understanding of our adoption process and our philosophy behind it. It is also intended to help you come face-to-face with the reality of owning a cat. We all understand the emotional appeal of a sweet furry face. However, having handled over 500 pet adoptions since March 2003, we have learned firsthand that while many people like the idea of owning a pet, not everyone likes—and is willing to accommodate—the reality of having a pet in their life and home 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you agree to follow the process to the best of your ability and in a cooperative manner, please sign this page and return it with your completed application.

Soul searching…Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you prepared for the financial reality of owning a cat? The average cost of having a cat the first year is $122-330. These figures include cat litter, food, veterinary care and medication. Are you willing and able to assume this responsibility?
• Do you realize that even though kids make big promises and are very compelling salespeople, they are not going to be responsible for the daily care of the pet? Are you willing to feed, play with and provide attention for your cat on a daily basis when your children fail to do so?
• Do you realize that pets have the mental ability of a four-year-old? Are you prepared to care for this furry toddler for the rest of his/her life, which could be 10 years, 15 years, or even longer?

The adoption process:

• If you are interested in one of our cats, fill out this form, and click the Submit button at the end of the form.
• Once your application is received, an AWF volunteer will contact you to review your application and, if adoption requirements, are met (such as all pets in household are current on vaccinations) an appointment will be set so you can meet the can in which you are interested.
• If, upon meeting the pet you are interested in adopting him/her, we will complete the processing of your application.
• On the adoption application, we ask for three references. We do this because we are cross-checking information.
• A home visit is required as part of the adoption procedure.
• All members of the family must meet the pet prior to adoption.
• If you leave any questions blank, we have the right to disqualify your application.
• It usually takes one week to process an adoption application.
• We are interested in finding the RIGHT home for a cat. This may not necessarily be the first person who applies to adopt a cat.
• All pets currently in the home must be up-to-date on vaccinations and spayed or neutered.
• Our procedure enables us to gather complete and well-rounded information. We want to make an informed and wise decision that will lead to a lifetime relationship between a family and pet.
• We do follow-up calls to help insure the placement is working, to hone our dog and cat evaluation skills, and to help with any questions that may arise.
• Please realize that it may take up to two weeks for your pet to be comfortable in your home. It is possible that he/she may have some accidents during this adjustment period.
• Our procedure is about righting a wrong. If an animal is in our care, something has already gone wrong in their life. We want to find them a home where they’ll be cherished and loved.

I understand the AWF adoption procedure and agree to complete all questions on the application and provide any additional information requested by an AWF representative.

Your Full Name:         Date:

Any false statements given on this application will disqualify you from adopting an AWF pet. All fields are Required. Please fill out application entirely. If the question does not apply, then put "N/A". We suggest using Internet Explorer to fill out this form.
Thank you!

Applicant Information

First Name:

Last Name:

Date:

Street address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Home Phone #:

Cell Phone #:

Day Phone #:

Evening Phone #:

Email:

Where do you live?

House Condo/Apt Mobile Home Other

How long have you lived at your present address?

Years Months

Type of neighborhood you live in is:

Farm (rural) City (urban)
City (suburban) Town

Do you own your home?

Yes No

Can you provide proof of ownership?

Yes No N/A

Do you rent?

Yes No

If yes, please provide the following:

Landlord's Name:        
Landlord's Phone Number:

New Pet Information

Which cat are you interested in?

Why are you interested in this particular pet?

Why do you want to adopt one of our cats?

What are you looking for in a cat?

Do you realize a cat may scratch carpet or furniture?

Yes No

If this happens, how will you deal with the situation?

If you decide to move in the future, what will you do with your cat?

What will you do with your cat if you go on vacation?

Where will your cat sleep?

How many hours will your cat be alone during a 24-hour period?

How many hours will your cat be alone during the day?

What do you think your new cat will enjoy most about living with you?

Employment Information

Employer:

Occupation:

Can you be contacted at your place of work?

Yes No N/A

If yes, provide your work phone number:

Do you come home for lunch?

Will there be someone home during the daytime?

Yes No

If yes, who?

Family/Household Information

Please list the names of the people in your home, their relationship to you and their ages:

Are all members of your household aware of your plans to adopt a cat?

Yes No

Is anyone in the household allergic to animals?

Yes No

Which family member will be the cat's primary caregiver?

What is their age?

Pet Information

Do you currently have any cats?

Yes No

If yes, please list the name, gender and age for each cat:

Are your cats kept strictly indoors?

Yes No

Are your cats declawed?

Yes No

Do you have any dogs?

Yes No

If yes, please list the name, gender, age, and breed for each dog:

If you have dogs, are they:

Indoors mostly    In an outdoor kennel   
Chained out    Half and half

What brand of food do you feed (or plan to feed) your cat?

Are there any other animals or pets in your household?

Are the animals in your household spayed/neutered?

Yes No N/A

Have you ever given up a pet?

Yes No

If yes, please explain:

Please list any additional pets you have had as an adult not already listed on this application.

Veterinarian Information

Veterinarian's Name:

Veterinarian's Phone:

Personal Reference Information

List 3 references. One must be a relative and two must NOT be relatives.

Reference #1

Name:

Relationship to you:

Phone Number:

Reference #2

Name:

Relationship to you:

Phone Number:

Reference #3

Name:  

Relationship to you:

Phone Number:

By hitting submit, I certify that the information I have given is true. I understand that the Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa reserves the right to deny my application for any reason. I further authorize the investigation of all statements in this application.