Can
I
volunteer
at
LAWS?
Why
does
LAWS
charge
an
adoption
fee?
Our
adoption
fees
are
among
the
lowest
in
North
America.
They
help
us
to
cover
our
costs
of
caring
for
the
animals
such
as
vaccinating,
medicating,
vet
visits
and
spaying/neutering
our
animals.
How
does
the
spay/neuter
voucher
work?
If
the
animal
that
you
have
chosen
has
not
yet
been
fixed
you
are
required
to
have
this
done
within
the
first
14
day
of
the
adoption
(if
the
animal
is
younger
than
six
months
we
will
extend
the
voucher,
as
necessary).
Call
to
make
sure
your
vet
clinic
will
accept
our
voucher.
You
will
give
the
voucher
to
your
vet
clinic
and
they
will
bill
us!
If
you
choose
to
take
your
animal
to
a
clinic
that
is
not
on
our
list
you
may
chose
from
one
to
the
two
options:
What
happens
if
the
animal
I
have
adopted
isn‘t
working
out?
We
have
a
45
DAY
return
policy.
If
the
animal
that
you
have
chosen
is
not
working
out
you
may
return
it
to
the
shelter
within
the
first
45
days.
WE
HAVE
A
NO
REFUND
POLICY!
If
the
animal
was
returned
for
a
medical
reason
the
shelter
staff
may
offer
you
the
opportunity
to
select
another
suitable
pet
in
exchange.
Are
there
any
additional
mandatory
costs
that
are
not
included
in
the
adoption
fee?
Yes!
You
are
required
to
take
your
new
animal
to
a
vet
within
the
first
14
days
for
a
full
health
examination.
If
your
animal
has
a
medical
condition
that
the
shelter
was
unaware
of
you
may
apply
for
an
exchange
or
a
partial
refund.
You
are
also
responsible
to
get
a
booster
shot
and
a
rabies
shot
for
your
new
animal
at
your
own
cost.
This
may
be
done
at
a
veterinary
clinic
of
your
choice
and
is
generally
due
within
the
first
14
days
after
the
adoption.
In
most
cases
the
health
examination,
the
booster
shot
and
the
rabies
shot
can
all
be
done
in
one
trip
to
the
vet.
It
is
much
more
cost
efficient
this
way!
All
vet
clinics
offer
different
services
at
different
rates.
Call
your
vet
in
advance
to
find
out
details
on
their
rates.
Rabies
vaccines
are
required
by
law!
What
type
of
return
policy
do
you
offer?
We
have
a
45
DAY
return
policy.
If
the
animal
that
you
have
chosen
is
not
working
out
you
may
return
the
animal
within
45
DAYS.
WE
HAVE
A
NO
REFUND
POLICY!
After
the
first
45
days,
the
"Give
up
of
Ownership"
fee
will
apply.
Am
I
allowed
to
take
an
animal
home
on
a
trial
basis
to
see
how
it
works
out?
Unfortunately,
we
do
not
allow
this.
We
expect
our
adopters
to
have
thoroughly
thought
about
their
decision
and
be
serious
about
making
it
work.
If
you
adopt
an
animal
and
it
doesn't
work
out
you
may
bring
the
animal
back
to
us.
We
offer
a
45
days
return
policy
(no
refunds).
Can
I
have
an
animal
put
'on
hold'
until
it
is
more
convenient
for
me
to
pick
it
up?
No.
We
are
very
firm
on
our
"no
holding"
policy.
In
the
past
we
have
experienced
major
problems
when
animals
were
placed
on
hold
and
in
the
end
it
is
the
animal
that
suffers
for
it.
Our
animals
are
our
main
priority
and
are
adopted
on
a
first
come,
first
serve
basis
as
long
as
the
home
is
suitable.
We
expect
that
when
you
come
out
to
the
shelter
to
see
our
animals
that
you
are
serious
about
your
decision
and
are
ready
and
prepared
to
take
that
animal
home.
Giving
up
Ownership
of
your
animal
Before
even
considering
giving
up
ownership
of
your
pet
to
someone
else,
ask
yourself
if
there
are
other
options.
-
Do
you
have
allergies
to
animals?
-
Talk
with
your
doctor
about
possible
treatments.
-
Is
your
animal's
behaviour
too
much
to
handle?
-
Talk
to
a
specialist
(a
veterinarian,
a
trainer,
a
behaviouralist).
Find
out
ways
to
improve
the
dog's
behaviour.
With
patience
and
consistency
dogs
tend
to
learn
quickly.
-
Does
your
animal
suffer
from
chronic
health
problem
or
more
serious
behavioural
issues?
This
is
a
tough
call
but
is
it
realistic
to
expect
that
another
person
will
be
more
willing-or
able-to
deal
with
these?
Ask
your
veterinarian
for
advice
on
options
available
to
you.
In
this
situation,
the
shelter
is
generally
not
a
responsible
option.
Making
the
decision
to
give
ownership
of
your
animal
is
definitely
a
difficult
decision
that
only
you
can
make.
At
the
Lanark
Animal
Welfare
Society
we
do
our
best
to
find
each
animal
a
new
home
and
are
generally
very
successful
however,
there
are
no
guarantees.
Before
making
the
final
decision
of
surrendering
your
pet
to
our
shelter
here
are
some
other
options
you
should
explore.
-
Advertise
your
animal
in
local
newspapers,
veterinary
clinics,
pet
food
stores,
friends,
neighbours,
etc.
This
way
you
can
conduct
personal
interviews
with
the
potential
adopters
to
ensure
the
future
care
of
your
animal.
Set
a
fee
to
adopt
your
animal.
This
will
deter
anyone
who
is
not
serious
about
the
adoption.
-
There
are
internet
forums
that
allows
people
to
post
ads
of
animals
seeking
new
homes
(some
examples:
CanadaStrays.com,
Pet
Finder.com
and
Pet
Lynx.net)
-
Contact
the
Canadian
Kennel
Club
to
find
out
if
there
are
any
breed
rescue
groups
in
your
area
that
may
help
you
out.
If
you
are
unsuccessful
at
finding
a
home
on
your
own
then
and
only
then
should
you
consider
surrendering
your
animal
to
a
shelter.
-
You
must
contact
the
shelter
in
advance
to
make
arrangements
to
surrender
your
animal.
If
you
show
up
without
previous
arrangements,
chances
are
that
you
will
be
turned
away
due
to
a
lack
of
available
space.
We
are
a
very
small
shelter
and
space
is
extremely
limited!
-
You
must
bring
copies
of
all
relevant
medical
history
from
your
veterinary
clinic
and
you
will
be
asked
to
provide
proof
of
current
vaccinations.
If
your
animal
is
not
up
to
date
on
vaccinations
it
is
possible
that
you
may
be
asked
to
have
that
done
before
surrendering
the
animal.
-
You
will
be
asked
to
fill
out
a
basic
history
form
about
your
animal.
You
are
more
than
welcome
to
do
your
own
write-up
from
home
indicating
the
type
of
home
that
would
best
suit
your
animal
(Please
include
information
on
any
previous
interactions
with
children,
and
other
animals)
-
There
is
a
mandatory
admission
fee,
which
is
necessary
to
provide
future
care
for
your
animal.
You
will
be
informed
of
this
fee
when
you
make
arrangements
to
surrender.
-
All
animals
brought
into
the
shelter
must
be
under
restrains
(a
leash,
a
cat
carrier,
etc.)
Once
your
animal
has
been
surrendered
to
the
shelter
you
may
not,
under
any
circumstances,
reclaim
your
animal.
It
would
not
be
responsible
of
us
to
return
an
animal
to
someone
who
has
told
us
they
are
no
longer
willing
or
able
to
provide
care
for
their
animal.
The
decision
to
surrender
is
a
permanent
one.
Other
Frequently
Asked
Questions:
How
much
money
does
the
government
give
LAWS?
Most
people
are
shocked
to
find
out
that
we
receive
no
money
from
the
government.
Our
shelter
relies
entirely
on
donations
from
the
public
and
through
our
various
fundraisers
and
adoption
fees.
We
assist
animals
in
need
entirely
through
the
help
of
donors.
How
long
is
an
animal
awaiting
adoption
held
at
LAWS?
Indefinately.
LAWS
does
not
euthanize
any
animal
simply
because
it
has
been
in
our
shelter
too
long.
We
have
had
cats
in
our
care
for
almost
a
year
before
they
found
a
loving
home.
I
have
found
a
stray
animal,
what
should
I
do?
Please
visit
our
website
to
find
a
list
of
the
area's
Animal
Control
Officers.
Please
call
the
appropriate
animal
Control
Officer
for
your
area
who
will
come
to
collect
the
stray
animal.
Can
I
volunteer
at
LAWS?
Absolutely!
If
you
are
16
years
of
age
or
older,
pick
up
our
volunteer
questionnaire
at
our
shelter
or
download
it
from
our
website
(volunteers
page).
We
always
need
volunteers
to
help
clean
cages,
walk
dogs,
cuddle
cats,
help
with
fundraising
events
and
much
more.
If
you
have
any
further
questions
please
contact
us
by
phone
or
email.
We
will
do
our
very
best
to
give
your
former
companion
a
second
chance.
