Why should I adopt a pet?Ask anyone who has adopted a pet and they’ll share with you their story of love, fun and companionship. Why? Because shelter pets are amazing! Within the next year, 29 million people just like you intend to bring a pet into their families. If fewer than 10 percent of them—just 2.4 million—choose to adopt, we will save all the dogs and cats who currently enter shelters but don’t find homes! Remember: Dogs and cats who are taken into the care of shelters and rescue groups each year find themselves homeless through no fault of their own; “moving” and “landlord issues” are the top reasons people give up their pets. This means shelters and rescues are full of loving, spayed or neutered, vaccinated—and often trained—pets who are just waiting to meet you! Bonus: By adopting a cat or dog from a shelter or rescue, you can rest assured that you have not supported the cruel and exploitative puppy mill industry. Adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue is a win-win, for you and the pet. So, what are you waiting for?
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Adoption Information
Find out how to adopt a pet quick & easy
Thank you for your interest in the animals we are helping at Beare Garden Plantation Animal Rescue. We have a number of fantastic companions that might be just the right fit for you. Schedule a visit or come during normal adoption hours. You may schedule a visit by calling 252-531-0453. We are also at PetSmart Greenville at least two weeks of each month. The times and dates will be posted on our Facebook page and in the events section of the website. If you find a match, you will need to complete an adoption application (see below) and provide a good vet reference. A home visit may be required prior to the adoption approval. We reserve the right to perform a follow up animal welfare check at our discretion. Our discounted cost to fully vet a healthy kitten or cat is at minimum $250 to $350, so a minimum donation is required to offset our costs. If you adopt an unvetted cat elsewhere and take it to your vet, the cost for the same services could be $400 or more. The costs can run into the thousands if an animal is injured or requires special veterinary care. At present, most cats are a minimum of $100.00 donation and most kittens are a minimum of $100.00 donation. Higher donation minimums may be requested for certain animals. We are able to accept credit cards, debit cards, check, Paypal and cash. Our Senior Adoption Program allows for reduced adoption donations for senior citizens or for special situations approved by management. Please make sure you receive your adopted animals veterinary records and proof of vaccines, which the rescue has on file. You are required to have a pet carrier to transport the animal away from the facility. If you do not have one, a cardboard one may be available for purchase.
You may download the below word document and submit it to [email protected] or simply scroll down and complete the online application.
Scroll down for both downloadable and online adoption applications.
A BGP cat will be a rescued cat or kitten from primarily local and regional public shelters. BGP is a private rescue that receives no government funding, but relies solely upon charitable donations to operate 365 days per year. Our focus is to pull from public shelters to ease their overload and to facilitate the adoption to a loving forever family. There are occasions that an owner surrender animal or a longer term stray will be accepted by BGP. We encourage you to attempt to re-home your pet if you must give it up, as this is easier on the pet and gives it a better chance of finding a good home. Taking your pet to the public shelter is more stressful and may not result in it being adopted into a home and may result in your pet being euthanized by the public shelter. If we accept an owner surrender, all vet records and vaccines must be provided. If current vaccines and vet records are not available, a minimum $150 donation is required. Owner surrenders are not automatically accepted. Unapproved drop-offs at the rescue are not allowed. Video surveillance of the rescue will record any unauthorized drop-offs.
Strays typically should be reported to your local public animal shelter for the mandatory 72 hour hold. The animal shelters we work with usually notify us if an adoptable animal needs to be rescued. Our ability to rescue depends upon space and resource availability. We do not typically accept feral animals as they may not be adoptable.
A BGP cat will have been spayed or neutered, unless we have records or absolute proof that this has been done previously. They are tested negative for FIV/feline leukemia, given their first vaccines, de-wormed, and observed and treated by local veterinarians for any other conditions they may have.
They are socialized in a loving environment with other cats and plenty of humans. During an initial quarantine period they are kept caged in an isolation room until cleared by a veterinarian. After clearance, they are released into the Rescue cattery area, which allows for more space to roam in our large enclosures. A future outdoor area is being planned when funding is available.
We have a policy of not allowing kittens to be adopted until they are three months old. Kittens under three months old are eligible for our foster to adopt program. IF YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT OR RENT, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO PROVIDE A LETTER OF PERMISSION FOR PET OCCUPANCY FROM YOUR LANDLORD. ADOPTIONS BY UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENTS MAY REQUIRE CONSENT FROM PARENTS.
All adoption applications will be reviewed by the rescue staff. If the applicants seem to be a good fit for the cat or cats of interest, the rescue may, at its discretion, contact the interested party to set up a home visit. BGP reserves the right to decline any application for any reason. BGP reserves the right to conduct follow up well animal home visits if deemed needed. BGP reserves the right to reclaim animals from homes that are not providing proper care or mistreating the animals.
Once a home is considered safe for our cats, the applicant pays an adoption donation. This fee covers the spaying/neutering and all vaccinations that ensure the cat will have a healthy and happy life with their new family. VET References are required.
Some of our cats and kittens have “sponsored” next to their names. These kitties have a guardian angel who wants to see them in a happy, loving home and has sponsored part or all of their adoption donation. With an approved application, you can adopt a sponsored cat(s) and use the money you saved to buy them food, supplies and toys!
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DENY ANY APPLICATION FOR ANY REASON TO PROTECT THE WELFARE OF OUR ANIMALS.
Whether you’re bringing home your first, second or fifth cat, it’s extremely important to prepare ahead of time. Before making the decision to add a new cat to your household, please consider the following:
- Is your home large enough for all cats to have adequate territory?
- Are any of your current cats (if relevant) suffering from a chronic illness where the added stress of a new cat may cause further health problems?
- Are any of your cats already suffering from behavioral issues such as inappropriate marking?
- Once you’ve carefully considered all the above factors and are ready to add a new feline family member, the following sections will help ensure a smooth transition and integration with other family members and pets.
Our staff strongly urges you to try this approach when adopting a new cat. It reduces the stress on you, your family, and the cat. Cats that are not properly introduced can have behavioral problems so please take the time to give your cat the best start it can have.
- Get a medium sized dog crate.
- Set it up in an area in your home where the family and other pets congregate.
- Cover the crate on 3 sides and on top with a blanket or towels.
- Put in a litter pan with our litter (given to you when you leave with your new cat).
- Put in food and water bowls (food similar to what the cat is eating at the Rescue).
- Put in comfortable bedding. Add in something with your scent on it (worn t-shirt or used towel).
- Upon coming home with your new cat, put them into the crate. This lets the cat acclimate to the scents, sounds and routines of your house in a protected and safe environment. Meanwhile, because some the bedding contains your scent, it lets the other animals in your home smell your scent on the new cat.
- Feed them twice a day and give them fresh water every day. We recommend giving glucosamine and Vitamin C to your cat to avoid painful urinary infections and blockages, especially for male cats.
- After a week or so, open the cage door and let the cat come out at his/her own speed.
- Remember – patience, patience, patience is the key to bringing a new cat into your home. It can sometimes take several weeks for a new cat to adjust.
- This approach lets your current pets get to know the new resident as well as let the new cat know the smells and sounds of your home. It’s better than isolating them in a room for a week and then let them out for the first time with the other pets who could then have territorial issues.
Jacque Lynn Schultz, C.P.D.T., Companion Animal Programs Adviser. National Outreach
The kids have been clamoring for a cat. You’ve held them off for as long as humanly possible, but now you must decide whether or not to make the twenty year commitment to a new feline friend. To dog people, taking on a cat seems like no big deal – no house training, numerous daily walks or obedience classes. But if you are a novice at animal care-taking, hair on the furniture, paw prints on countertops and kitty games at 3 A.M. — not to mention litter box training and daily maintenance — can take some getting used to. Time must be found in hectic schedules for grooming, feeding and interactive play. If you are considering adopting a kitten, factor in plenty of time for socialization and supervision to ensure that the end result will be a well-adjusted adult cat.
Picture Purrfect
Cats had only one function throughout the centuries: vermin control. Only in the last one hundred years has selective breeding caught on — synonymous with the rise of the cat as a companion. Most purebred cats fall into one of the following three groupings based on physical characteristics:
Cats had only one function throughout the centuries: vermin control. Only in the last one hundred years has selective breeding caught on — synonymous with the rise of the cat as a companion. Most purebred cats fall into one of the following three groupings based on physical characteristics:
- The natural breeds — American and British shorthairs, Persians, Maine coon cats were developed in cold climates. They have long, thick coats; heavy, cobby (square) bodies, and are the most sedate group in terms of energy level.
- The semi-foreigns — Russian blues, Abyssinians, ocicats are an in-between group whose body shapes are leaner and more muscular than the natural breeds. They have slightly oval eyes and their heads are moderately wedge-shaped. Their activity level is usually moderate with some high-energy exceptions like the Abyssinian.
- The Orientals — Siamese, Burmese, Cornish rexes originated in warmer climes; they carry little body fat and lighter coats. Almost everything about them is elongated — legs, tails, ears and bodies — to allow more surface area for efficient cooling. These cats are the most active and talkative.
Still, less than 10 percent of the world’s cats, both in and out of shelters, are purebred. The majority — common house cats – have charmed their way into becoming the number-one most popular pet in the United States.
When you have made the decision to commit to a cat, hop on the internet and visit www.petfinder.com or head to your local animal shelter, where an array of felines resplendent in tabby stripes, calico patches, solids and tortoiseshell patterns awaits. The feline diversity residing in local shelters and rescue groups ensures you will find a kindred spirit. Many shelters vaccinate, de-worm and test for feline leukemia before putting up cats for adoption. Some shelters spay/neuter before adoption as well. Ask yours for specifics on what is included in the adoption package.
Searching for Mr. Right
Before facing cage after cage of homeless cats, consider your needs and expectations. If yours is a full-time working household, I recommend passing up kittens and adolescents (less than eighteen months old) in favor of a more low-key adult whose energy needs will be easier to meet. If you are a novice cat owner, stay away from “excessive” cats — excessively shy, aggressive or demanding — for they may provide too great a challenge for your first experience. Your best bet is the friendly, outgoing cat, who nudges an outstretched finger offered through the cage bars and who nuzzles and purrs when you hold him in your arms. This profile is a particularly good choice for families with children younger than seven years of age.
Before facing cage after cage of homeless cats, consider your needs and expectations. If yours is a full-time working household, I recommend passing up kittens and adolescents (less than eighteen months old) in favor of a more low-key adult whose energy needs will be easier to meet. If you are a novice cat owner, stay away from “excessive” cats — excessively shy, aggressive or demanding — for they may provide too great a challenge for your first experience. Your best bet is the friendly, outgoing cat, who nudges an outstretched finger offered through the cage bars and who nuzzles and purrs when you hold him in your arms. This profile is a particularly good choice for families with children younger than seven years of age.
Is coat color or pattern important? By all means, choose a cat who attracts you, but remember that the gorgeous calico hiding at the back of her cage may well go into prolonged hiding once she is released into your home. A cat who is social and relaxed at a shelter usually has the aplomb to meet the stresses that life throws her way. Consider the whole cat, not just one element.
A cat in your life can add warmth, humor and peace of mind. A cat can teach your child empathy for others while keeping her secrets. If you can make the commitment, a cat is waiting to enhance your life in ways only a kindred spirit can.
Downloadable Adoption Application and Contract. Online Adoption Application available below. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT ADOPT TO ANYONE WHO PLANS TO DECLAW A CAT AS A MATTER OF RESCUE POLICY. IF YOU ARE APPROVED AND FOR ANY REASON CANNOT KEEP THE CAT OR KITTEN, YOU ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO NOTIFY BEARE GARDEN PLANTATION ANIMAL RESCUE AND RETURN THE FELINE TO BEARE GARDEN PLANTATION ANIMAL RESCUE.
DOWNLOAD Paper Adoption Application. This does not guarantee you will be approved. Good Vet references are required for ALL adoptions. A home visit may be required. ALL cat and kitten adoptions are INDOOR ONLY.