Homeward Bound: 7 Essential Steps To Adopt A Pet From Addison County's Humane Society (2025 Guide)
Are you ready to welcome a new companion into your life? Homeward Bound, Addison County's Humane Society, is the dedicated, open-admission shelter serving the Middlebury, Vermont, area, and they are the primary resource for connecting homeless animals with loving families. As of late 2025, the shelter continues its vital work, providing compassionate care for over 1,200 animals annually, from dogs and cats to rabbits, pocket pets, and birds. This comprehensive guide outlines the current adoption process, the latest 2025 fees, and the critical community programs that make Homeward Bound a pillar of animal welfare in Vermont.
The shelter, a private and independent 501(c)(3) non-profit, operates on a mission to support the human-animal bond through compassionate care, education, and advocacy, ensuring a nurturing community for all animals. Understanding their unique approach and the specific steps involved is the fastest way to bring your new best friend home.
Homeward Bound: Addison County’s Humane Society Profile & Mission
Homeward Bound is more than just a shelter; it is a community hub for animal welfare, operating under a commitment to open admission, meaning they do not turn away any animal in need from Addison County.
- Official Name: Homeward Bound, Addison County's Humane Society
- Location: Middlebury, Vermont (VT)
- Founded: 1975
- Status: Private, Independent 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
- Service Area: Addison County, Vermont
- Annual Impact: Serves over 1,200 animals annually
- Mission: To be a community-centered shelter that supports the human-animal bond through compassionate care, adoption, education, and advocacy.
- Adoption Center Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am - 3:30 pm (Note: Always check the official website for holiday or weather-related changes).
The 7-Step Homeward Bound Adoption Process (2025)
The Homeward Bound adoption process is designed to ensure a successful, lifelong match between the animal and the adopter. While every adoption is unique, the general steps below provide a clear roadmap for prospective pet owners in 2025.
1. Browse Available Animals Online
The first step is to view the animals currently available for adoption. Homeward Bound lists cats, dogs, rabbits, pocket pets, and birds on its website and partner sites. This allows you to identify pets that match your lifestyle, energy level, and living situation before visiting the shelter. The online profiles provide essential information about the animal's temperament, history, and any special needs.
2. Complete the Adoption Application
The application is the most critical first step. It is your opportunity to tell the Homeward Bound staff about yourself, your family, your home environment, and what you are looking for in a pet. This information helps the adoption counselors determine the best possible fit. Applications can often be found and submitted directly through the website for the specific animal you are interested in.
3. Provide Necessary Documentation (Renters/Homeowners)
To expedite the process, especially if you are a renter, it is highly recommended to bring proof of landlord approval for pets. This simple step confirms that you are authorized to keep a pet in your residence, removing a potential hurdle in the review process. Homeowners may also be asked to confirm homeownership.
4. Application Review and Interview
Once submitted, an adoption counselor will review your application. They may contact you for a phone interview to discuss your application in more detail, answer any questions you have, and clarify the expectations for the specific animal. The goal is a thoughtful, comprehensive review, not a quick transaction. This step is where the shelter ensures the needs of the animal align with the capabilities of the adopter.
5. Schedule a Meet-and-Greet
If your application is approved, you will be invited to the Adoption Center in Middlebury, VT, for a meet-and-greet. This is the chance for the entire family—including all household members—to interact with the potential new pet. For dog adoptions, the shelter often requires a "dog-to-dog" meet-and-greet if you already own a dog, ensuring compatibility.
6. Finalization, Counseling, and Paperwork
Upon a successful meet-and-greet, the adoption is finalized. This involves signing the legal adoption contract and receiving detailed post-adoption counseling. The staff provides essential information on the animal’s medical history, microchip details, and any necessary follow-up care. All adopted pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before going home.
7. Pay the 2025 Adoption Fees
The adoption fee helps cover the costs of veterinary care, food, and shelter for all animals. Homeward Bound's fees are structured based on the animal’s age and type. These fees are current for the 2025 fiscal year.
Understanding the 2025 Adoption Fee Structure
The fees below reflect the current structure at Homeward Bound, providing transparency on the resources needed to care for the animals.
Cats & Kittens (2025 Fees)
- Kitten (0-12 months): $200
- Adult Cat (1-8 years): $165
- Senior Cat (9+ years): $75
- Bonded Pair of Adult Cats: $225 for the pair
Dogs & Puppies (2025 Fees)
- Puppy (0-12 months): $450
- Adult Dog (1-8 years): $350
- Senior Dog (9+ years): $150
Fees for rabbits, birds, and other small animals (pocket pets) vary, so prospective adopters should inquire directly with the shelter staff for the most accurate pricing.
Beyond Adoption: Homeward Bound's Critical Community Programs
Homeward Bound's commitment to animal welfare extends far beyond the shelter walls. They manage several crucial programs that address the root causes of animal homelessness and support pet owners throughout Addison County. These initiatives demonstrate the shelter's dedication to being a true community resource.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program
The TNR program is a humane and effective method for managing the feral cat population in Addison County. Cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped (a universal sign they have been fixed), and then returned to their original, managed outdoor colony. This prevents uncontrolled breeding, stabilizes populations, and improves the health of the feral cats.
PetFIX: Affordable Spay/Neuter Services
Recognizing that cost is often a barrier to responsible pet ownership, the PetFIX program offers affordable spay and neuter services to low-income residents of Addison County. By making these essential procedures accessible, Homeward Bound directly reduces the number of unwanted litters and, consequently, the number of animals entering the shelter system.
PetCORE: Crisis Relocation and Support
The PetCORE program is a compassionate service designed to help pet owners facing temporary personal crises, such as hospitalization, domestic issues, or displacement. Through this program, Homeward Bound assists owners by temporarily enrolling their pets—sometimes for up to two weeks—while the owners focus on resolving their personal needs and regaining stability. This initiative is vital for keeping families together during difficult times and preventing permanent surrender.
How You Can Support Addison County's Humane Society
As a private, independent non-profit, Homeward Bound relies heavily on community support to continue its life-saving work. There are several ways to get involved and directly impact the lives of homeless animals in 2025.
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteers are the backbone of the shelter's daily operations. Opportunities range from dog walking and cat socializing to cleaning, administrative tasks, and assisting at fundraising events like the annual "Woofstock: Walk for the Animals." Independent volunteers must be 16 years or older, but youth aged 10-15 can participate when accompanied by an adult at all times.
Make a Financial or In-Kind Donation
Financial donations are essential for covering the high costs of medical care, food, and facility maintenance. You can donate online or check the shelter's current Wish List for in-kind donations of supplies, such as specific foods, cleaning products, and toys. Recent community support, including a 2024 donation from eDOC Innovations, highlights the ongoing need and impact of corporate and individual giving.
Attend Fundraising Events
Keep an eye on the Homeward Bound calendar for major annual events. The "Woofstock: Walk for the Animals" is a significant fundraiser, and participating is a fun way to support the shelter's mission while engaging with the animal-loving community.
Whether you are ready to adopt a new family member, looking to volunteer your time, or seeking resources for a pet in need, Homeward Bound, Addison County's Humane Society, remains the central, trusted resource for animal welfare in the region. By following the outlined adoption steps and supporting their community programs, you play a direct role in creating a compassionate, nurturing environment for all animals in Addison County.
Detail Author:
- Name : Mrs. Meagan Wilderman
- Username : valentina44
- Email : ikemmer@gmail.com
- Birthdate : 1990-05-02
- Address : 20276 Deshawn Green Suite 031 East Willietown, NC 44701
- Phone : (650) 837-5061
- Company : McGlynn and Sons
- Job : Industrial Engineering Technician
- Bio : Quae quasi blanditiis eum ut. Similique consequatur est voluptatem.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/jaquan_gutkowski
- username : jaquan_gutkowski
- bio : Voluptate saepe quam ipsa deserunt. Architecto quas nemo et neque eveniet.
- followers : 5589
- following : 1004
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/jaquan5100
- username : jaquan5100
- bio : Hic nostrum nemo quasi facilis est. Deleniti sapiente voluptas omnis et.
- followers : 4542
- following : 954
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@jaquangutkowski
- username : jaquangutkowski
- bio : Laborum animi qui sed consequatur beatae. Culpa esse eum accusamus rerum velit.
- followers : 6631
- following : 987
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/jgutkowski
- username : jgutkowski
- bio : Aut totam est architecto fugit.
- followers : 2159
- following : 2793
