ADOPTING A FRIEND
Interested in adopting a new best friend? There is an adoption application to submit at least 24 hours prior to adoption (waiting period may be waived at the Director's discretion). If you live out of town, call us at 641-673-3991 to complete an application over the phone or request one by email: smasadoptions@mahaska.org. You may also use the PDF link below to print out the application. After you complete it, please fax it to 641-672-9347. Our fax shares a line with our internet connection, so please be patient. Or, download the WORD version to save, complete, and email the application as an attachment. (If you send it by email, dont worry about the signature line.) We will contact you after we receive your application.
Completing an application does not obligate you to adopt; it just puts you next in line for that particular pet. We place temporary holds on pets based on the order of applications received. (Please understand that we try to give every pet every chance for a good home and are in constant need of kennel space; therefore, we cannot normally hold a pet for longer than 24 hours.) If you have any questions, please call. Thank you very much for choosing the adoption option!
Adoption Application-PDF
Adoption Application-WORD
Adoption fees are $90.00 for dogs and $65.00 for cats, which includes:
Spaying or Neutering, Leukemia/FIV or Heartworm test, Microchip Identification, Deworming, First vaccination, Flea treatment
The total value of the medical care your adopted pet receives ranges from $115 - $230. Not only are you saving a life when you adopt, but you're also saving money!
The Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter is a non-profit animal shelter for homeless pets. We are located in Oskaloosa, IA, just outside of the city limits. We house, feed, and care for over 1000 animals each year. We have dogs and cats for adoption.
The shelter is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm and on Saturday from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm.
From a Pet Store Puppy
by J. Ellis © 1999 This is an educational
piece about backyard breeders.
I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped and
dark, and we were never played with by the humans. I remember Mom and
her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any
milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember many of them dying,
and I missed them so. I do remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was
so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should
have been with Mom still,but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying
that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that me and
my sister made.
So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just
the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands
came to pet or love us. So many sights and sounds, and smells! We are
in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! some
that meow! Some that Peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage,
I hear other puppies here. I see humans look at me, I like the 'little
humans', the kids. they look so sweet, and fun, like they would play with
me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit
the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be
held or shown to humans. Some are gentle some hurt us, we always hear
"Aw they are So cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with
any.
My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head
on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard
them say she was sick, and that I should be sold as a "discount price"
so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the
only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in
the morning and dumped.
Today, a family came and bought me! Oh happy day!
They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought
a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I
love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am!
I am named Angel. I love to lick my new humans! The family takes such
good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach
me right and wrong, give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to
please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running
and playing with her. Today I went to the veterinarian. it was a strange
place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little
girl held me softly and said it would be OK. So I relaxed.
The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully
sad. I heard Severe hip dysplacia, and something about my heart... I heard
the vet say something about, back yard breeders and my parents not being
tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see
my family so sad. but they still love me, and I still love them very much!
I am 6 months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy,
It hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to
run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breathe.
I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be,
but it is so hard. it breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and
to hear the Mom and Dad talk about "it might now be the time".
Several times I have been to that veterinarians place, and the news is
never good. Always talk about Congenital Problems. I just want to feel
the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family. Last night
was the worst, Pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even
to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain.
I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know
why. have I been bad? I try to be good and loving, what have I done wrong?
Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of
the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only
whine in pain. the veterinarians table is so cold. I am so frightened.
The humans all hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel
their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the
vet doesn't seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind of
relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for
giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is
beginning to lift, I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can
now softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see
my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They
tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family,
good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle
of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was
not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian "Pet
shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now,
and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again.
If only things could have been different.
There are no puppies--this is an educational post only. (This story may be published or reprinted in
the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only
for money and not for the betterment of the breed. Copywrite 1999 J. Ellis)
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Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter
2299 235th Street
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Phone: 641-673-3991
Email: smas@mahaska.org
SMAS Pet List
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