ARF Humane Society of Jackson County is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners in Jackson County, NC.
Are ARF's dogs healthy?
Dogs in ARF's foster program have been spayed/ neutered, wormed, vaccinated and (usually) microchipped. They do not always get a complete veterinary examination, so that should be your first stop after adopting.
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How do I choose the right dog?
At ARF, we’re here to help set you and your new dog up for success. We’ll share everything we know about each dog so you can make a confident, informed decision.
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It can also be helpful to learn more about a dog’s breed and connect with a trainer to ensure a great fit for your lifestyle.
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Puppies are adorable—and they grow quickly! Take a moment to consider whether you’re ready for the time, patience, and energy that come with raising a young dog.
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For the best start, we recommend welcoming one puppy at a time and planning for basic obedience training with a trusted provider like The Courteous Canine or another trainer.
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Most importantly, spending time with a dog before adopting helps ensure the right match. While looks and breed can be appealing, personality and compatibility are what truly make a lifelong bond.
What are the adoption requirements?
We like to make sure pets stay with their owners for life. So here are some requirements for every pet:
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Adopters must be 18
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Adopters must have approval of everyone in the household and the landlord, if applicable (in writing)
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Adopters should plan to keep the pet mainly indoors and should have a plan for containment
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All pets must be fixed (spayed or neutered) before adoption
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Pets will not placed in homes where children are their sole or main caregivers.
Each pet is different, so depending on the pet’s needs, we may require any of the following:
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A fenced yard or a commitment to leash walks
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A history at your local vet with your other pets
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A suitable and safe location away from busy traffic
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The right combination of pets and children (some dogs should not be placed with cats, kids, etc.)
ARF reserves the right to refuse the adoption for any reason.
How do I adopt a dog from ARF?
ARF's foster dogs stay in their fosters' homes, so you’ll need to complete our adoption application so that the foster can contact you. Filling out the application is very important, as it allows us to check your references and your vet to make sure the dog and your family are a good fit for each other.
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The foster parent makes the final decision about whether you and the dog will suit. If you both agree that the adoption should go forward, you will be able to get the dog from the foster parent. The dog's records will be mailed to you. You can play online or in person (we take Paypal online; in person, we take cash or checks). This adoption fee helps us continue our work; we usually spend much more than that fee preparing dogs for adoption.
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Once you have adopted the pet, ARF will send you some PetPoint offers for microchip registration (if your pet has a microchip) and pet insurance.