Shelter FAQs

-The Mission and History of Windham County's Humane Society Mission- Our mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of animals and enhance the relationship between individuals and pets through adoption, education, advocacy, compassion, and promotion of animal welfare. While our focus is the people and animals of Windham County and some of our programs require you be a resident, we strive to help pets and pet owners in need whenever we can. -A Strategic Vision For Today & Tomorrow- Windham County Humane Society is working to create a vibrant, well-run and financially secure community-supported animal shelter that offers a variety of programs, services and facilities that promote the well-being and dignity of pets and other companion animals, and support their responsible stewardship by human caregivers. Through our efforts, we aspire to: End animal cruelty, suffering and abandonment Increase the capacity of local residents, regardless of socio-economic means, to properly and humanely care for their animals Cultivate a strong sense of community ownership in, awareness of, and advocacy for animal welfare issues A Steadfast Commitment To ‘The Five Freedoms’ Through our efforts we strive to provide animals: Freedom from hunger and thirst Freedom from discomfort Freedom from pain, injury and disease Freedom to express normal behavior Freedom from fear and distress -Our History: Jennie Powers’ Legacy- In 1887, a group of animal lovers in Windham County formed The Brattleboro Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mrs. Jennie B. Powers served as humane agent for both Windham County, VT and Cheshire County, NH. Armed with the powers of a deputy sheriff, Jennie worked tirelessly in defense of animals. She once jumped from a window in her Brattleboro home to stop a man from beating his horses. At the freight yards, she monitored the loading of cattle, inspecting them on the cars. At her own expense, she once fought in a court case against a man charged with starving his horse. -Recent History- In 1968, the organization gained 501(c)3 status under the new name, Windham County Humane Society (WCHS). In the early 1980’s, WCHS was run out of an office in downtown Brattleboro, with no housing available for animals. From 1989 to 1991, offices were rented at Linda and Henry Hellus’ farm. In 1992, the Humane Society moved to a group of cottages on Route 30, and the first animals were housed on-site in two small buildings. In the late 1990s, a dedicated group of volunteers raised the money to build a new facility, which opened to the public in April of 2000 – which is where you can visit us today, keeping the legacy of Jennie Powers alive, protecting and caring for the animals who share our lives.

Windham County Vermont

Additional adoption info

Here is how the adoption process works:

-Keep An Eye On Our Website-
You can see all the pets available for adoption either on our website in the Adoptable Animals section, or by visiting our facility in Brattleboro, Vermont. The WCHS website is linked to our own Animal Database so it is always up to date. We also post information on upcoming transports on our Facebook Page.

-Visit Our Facility-
When you see an animal on our website that looks right for you, come down for a face to face introduction! Our friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers will help you choose a pet that best matches your preferences and lifestyle. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes interacting with any pet you are considering adopting. Staff and volunteers are happy to answer your questions about the pet’s health and temperament. We believe an open, honest conversation is the best way to match an animal with a home. Our approach is based on Research from the ASPCA.

-Already Have A Pet In Your Home?-
If you are planning to adopt a dog and you already have a dog in your home, we are happy to schedule an introduction between the two at the shelter prior to adoption if that is helpful. We do not do cat introductions at the shelter as it is too stressful for the cats. We do introduce our in-house dogs to dog savvy cats in the shelter to get an idea of how a dog might do with a cat. However, the shelter environment is so different from a home that it is not a good indication of what will actually happen in a home. Read this guide introducing your new dog to your home.

-Putting A Pet “On Hold”-
You may place a 24 hour “hold” on an animal available for adoption for a fee of $25. The hold fee is non-refundable and will be credited towards the total adoption fee. You must meet the animal in person before placing a hold on or adopting an animal.

-Sign The Adoption Agreement-
Once you have found your match, we will sign an adoption agreement together and we will provide you with your new pet’s medical records, pet care information, one month’s free pet health insurance, an id tag, a certificate for a free veterinary exam, and other goodies.

-Take Your Pet Home!-
Congratulations! You are now a proud pet owner and we thank you for giving your pet a second chance at a happy life! It’s a big deal to add a member to your family, and we know our adopters are so excited about adopting that sometimes it can be hard to admit when there is a problem. We are available to make the transition go smoothly, so please don’t hesitate to call us with questions or concerns. We might have an easy fix to the issue or can provide other support as it may take weeks or even months for a new pet to settle in. And if it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, we are here to help if you need to bring your pet back to WCHS to find a better match.

Adoption Fees
Dogs
Puppies (under 6 months): $450
Small Breed Adults (under 25 pounds): $300
Adult Dogs (over 6 months): $200
Senior Dogs (over 8 years): $100

Cats
Kittens (under 6 months): $250
Adult Cats (6 months – 8 years): $100
Mature Cats (over 8 years): $30

Small Animals
Ferrets: $50
Rabbits (includes spay/neuter): $50
Guinea Pigs: $20
Gerbils,Hamsters, Mice & Rats: $10