Adoption Process:

Thank you for considering adopting a pet from OOTW.

We usually have plenty of cats and dogs waiting for adoption at any time of all ages and colors. Please plan to consider a range of pets to find the best one for your family. If age and health permit, we spay or neuter and vaccinate all pets prior to adoption. Some of the pets we rescue require extensive medical care. OOTW does whatever it takes to ensure that the pets we rescue are at the best possible health prior to adoption. We charge a minimal adoption fee of $150.00 for dogs and $90.00 for cats to cover some of our costs. Transportation costs are added as necessary for out-of-state adoptions. We accept cash, personal checks, and Paypal.

OOTW requires an Adoption Application to give us information about you and the kind of pet you wish to adopt. You may fill out and submit our application via email or print it out and mail it. 

Please email your completed application to the email provided with each listing. The contact person's email and/or phone number will be listed in the pet's story. We process the applications as quickly as we can, but we are all volunteers who have full time jobs so sometimes it can take a couple of days before someone contacts you.

Please note that submitting your application is only the first step in adopting from OOTW. After we receive your application, you will be contacted by an Adoption Case worker for an interview.  We thank you in advance for your patience!

Please, respect our decisions regarding the needs of our pets. Our foster parents have spent time with them in a home environment and make our decisions based on the individual needs of EACH specific animal. Some are unsuitable for children (usually due to high energy levels, NOT aggression), some are better with the companion of another pet, others would prefer to be an "only child." Don't feel that we are judging your suitability as a pet owner if we reject your application for a specific pet. We are merely trying to place pets in the environment in which we feel they will have the BEST chance of success.

Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog or Cat

 Although the following will not apply always, they are true in most cases.

1. Kittens and puppies act like kittens and puppies - with an adult, you can evaluate the animal's actual personality.
2. No housebreaking.
3. Teething issues, such as chewing, are in the past.
4. What you see is what you get - an adult dog will not grow 6 inches and gain 50 pounds.
5. Adults usually will sleep through the night - they'll adjust to your schedule.
6. An adult may be more appropriate for your home situation - for example, a kitten and a small child aren't necessarily safe for each other; if you're a single person who works, an adult dog won't need a walk in the middle of the day.
7. Most adult animals are playful, but not constantly so - they are companions, with a more constant energy level.
8. You CAN teach old dog new tricks.
9. An adult cat won't climb your curtains
10. You will save a life.

10. You'll save $$ on their Halloween costumes.
9. You can always find them in the snow.
8. Holding a black cat or dog is very slimming.
7. Black cats and dogs will match any decor.
6. A lint brush isn't required for a black-tie affair.
5. When you love a black cat or dog, luck is on your side.
4. Black cats and dogs are like onyx, a beautiful gem.
3. Hey, they don't care what color you are!
2. Love knows no color.

And the number one reason to adopt a black cat or dog...

1. They are the least likely to be adopted.