Cat Care Society is a proud member of MDAWA, the Metro Denver Animal Welfare Alliance. This coalition of 20+ local shelters, rescue groups, and animal service providers work together to promote humane care for companion animals in our community.
At Cat Care Society, collaboration with other shelters is imperative to our mission. Over half of the cats who come to our shelter are transferred from other shelters or rescues who don’t have the resources to support the needs of these special cats.
Ready to adopt a cat in need? Check out this helpful adoption guide from MDAWA (along with our answers!).
Before You Adopt a Pet: What to Know and Ask
Adopting from a Metro Denver Animal Welfare Alliance (MDAWA) Member Means Adopting with Confidence
Adopting a pet is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make—but it’s also a big commitment. Choosing the right adoption organization is just as important as finding the right animal. When you adopt from a member of the Metro Denver Animal Welfare Alliance (MDAWA), you’re supporting a network of organizations that are dedicated to ethical, compassionate, and community-focused animal welfare.
MDAWA members aren’t just placing pets—they’re committed to being your long-term partner. Here’s how they go above and beyond, and what to ask when you’re considering adoption.
Why Choose a MDAWA Member?
They’ll Be Your Long-Term Animal Welfare Partner
MDAWA organizations understand that adoption is just the beginning of your journey with a new pet. They offer resources and support to help adopters navigate any challenges that may come up after adoption—ensuring the best outcome for both you and your pet.
They Work with You to Make the Right Match
Rather than rushing the adoption process, MDAWA members take the time to make thoughtful, informed matches. They consider your preferences, lifestyle, experience, and the specific needs of the animal to help ensure a successful, lasting connection.
They Prioritize Animal Health and Wellness
All animals adopted through MDAWA organizations receive thorough medical care before adoption. This includes vaccinations, spay or neuter surgeries, and other needed veterinary treatment. They also provide behavioral support, so pets are set up for success in their new homes.
They Help the Most Vulnerable Local Animals
MDAWA members focus on protecting the Denver Metro area’s most vulnerable animals—those who are stray, surrendered, or at risk of homelessness—rather than bringing in only easily adoptable animals from out of state.
They Work Together to End Pet Homelessness
These organizations collaborate to provide a wide range of services that benefit the community, such as lost-and-found programs, low-cost veterinary care, spay/neuter clinics, and pet food pantries. By supporting a MDAWA member, you’re also supporting efforts to reduce the number of homeless animals in your neighborhood.
What to Ask Before You Adopt
When you’ve found a pet you’re interested in, it’s a good idea to ask the organization a few key questions to make sure you’re adopting from an ethical, responsible source. Here’s a checklist to guide you:
🩺 Pre-Adoption Care
- What is the pet’s history?
- Adopters will receive a full medical and behavioral history of the cat from their time in our shelter and any additional records we were able to secure from before the cat arrived at our facility.
- What vaccines has the pet received?
- CCS cats will have received their FERCP and Rabies vaccine, a dewormer, and topical antiparasitic treatment.
- Is the pet spayed or neutered?
- All CCS cats are spayed or neutered.
- Has the pet received any other medical care?
- Our adoption counselors can review medical history with the adopter. For cats with extensive or specialized medical needs, we may ask that you meet with our veterinarian for a more detailed review before completing adoption.
- Has the animal received any behavior support or had any behavior issues?
- Our adoption counselors can review behavioral history with the adopter.
💰 Adoption Fees
- What are the adoption fees?
- CCS adoption fees range from $50-200 depending on the age of the cat. We often have cats whose adoptions fees have been covered by a generous donor. HINT: When looking at adoptable cats on our website, sort by attributes>”I’ve been sponsored” to see which cats have a $0 adoption fee. We also offer discounts for seniors and active military/veterans.
- Do the fees include the cost of vaccinations, spay/neuter, and microchipping?
- Yes! At CCS, all cats are updated on current vaccinations, spayed/neutered, and microchipped before they go up for adoption.
🧭 Post-Adoption Support
- Do you offer resources or guidance if issues arise, such as medical or behavioral concerns?
- CCS has a thorough guide of resources in addition to lots of educational blogs available on our website.
- Are there any follow-ups for adopters to check in on how the pet is adjusting?
- Our adoption team will follow up a week after adoption to check in and see how your cat is adjusting to their new home. We encourage adopters to reach out with additional updates via the online form on our website.
- Do you offer any behavioral support or training classes?
- We offer free monthly classes with a cat behavior specialist at our facility.
🏠 Facility Experience
- Was the facility clean and well-maintained, with healthy animals?
- We maintain strict facility, cleaning, and medical protocols to provide a healthy environment for all cats in our care. We are a PACFA (Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act) Licensed Facility.
- Were staff members knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to answer your questions?
- Our staff is always happy to help!
📝 Policies & Contracts
- What is the return policy if the pet is not a good fit for your home?
- At CCS, we work with adopters as a partner and provide as much information as possible to ensure that the adoption is a great fit for both the cat and the adopter. We know that unforeseen circumstances can occur, and if you need to return your cat, we will always take back a CCS alumni cat.
- Will there be a written adoption contract confirming that you are the pet’s legal owner?
- Yes, you will complete an adoption contract online at the time of adoption.
🐾 Community Outreach
- Does the organization offer services like lost and found, low-cost vet care, spay/neuter clinics, or pet food pantries?
- CCS offers a pet food pantry twice a month at our location. We also have an extensive list of resources on our website to help pet parents in need.
- If not, do they collaborate with other local organizations that provide these services?
Adopt with Confidence
By carefully choosing where you adopt, you can ensure your new pet has been well cared for and is a good fit for your family. When you adopt from a MDAWA member, your decision not only changes a pet’s life—it also supports a network of organizations working together for ethical animal welfare across the Denver metro area.
Consider adopting your next pet from a MDAWA member.
Learn more about our mission and our members at mdawalliance.org/about
