Friends of Michigan Animal's Rescue

FMAR is a no-kill animal shelter. Our property includes two buildings. One for cats and one for dogs. The former includes a screened patio for the cats and the latter, a large yard for the dogs to play in. Once we take in an animal, it has a home with us for it's lifetime. Some of the animals have stayed with FMAR for years before being adopted. The animals at FMAR are rescued from nearby pounds, accepted (as space is available) from the public, or left on our doorstep. FMAR is comprised solely of volunteers that have a deep love of animals. The shelters are thoroughly cleaned twice a day. All dogs are either walked or given play time in the yard every day. We have an well developed TNR program, offer educational programs for kids, and allow people to volunteer to fulfill community service hours. FMAR is well-know and well-respected in our community, and we continue to strive to provide services to the people and animals in our area.

To help us determine the most suitable pet for you to adopt, please read the following information regarding our adoption guidelines and procedures. You will be asked to sign a contract when adopting your pet. FMAR's suggested minimum donation for an adoption ranges from $80 for a cat or kitten, $150 for mixed breed adult dogs and $175 for puppies and full breed dogs. FMAR accepts cash, checks, money orders, Visa and MasterCard. This donation helps defray some of the cost for vet expenses incurred for each animal, including but not limited to: spay/neuter, de-worming, heartworm testing and treatment if necessary, FeLuk/FIV testing, vaccinations, and other medications as required. We try to do whatever it takes to insure you are adopting the healthiest animal possible. Please be aware that the animals available for adoption are rescue animals and, as such, have often been exposed to a variety of diseases. Like human illnesses these disorders can have an incubation period up to several weeks. If the animal you adopt shows signs of illness within the first 3 days please contact the shelter right away. If the symptoms occur at any point after three days, please take it to your vet for treatment. Please understand that we will not place a pet into a home if any of the following apply: The prospective home currently has an un-spayed/un-neutered pet. The pet will be left outside unattended for long periods of time The pet is intended as a gift. Anyone in the household is afraid of the pet Anyone in the household is aggressive to the pet Once placed, FMAR reserves the right to: Check on the pet at any time to ensure it's well-being Remove the pet from the home if any conditions of the adoption contract have been violated or, if in the opinion of FMAR, the environment is unsafe. IF at anytime you cannot keep your pet, you must return it to FMAR and not to any other individual or shelter. Adoption Procedures Pet Selection – This is the first step in making an informed choice of what pet is right for you and your home environment. The following are items to consider. Size of Pet – Is your home environment suitable for a large pet? If you live in a building with various pet controls, is there a limit to the size of the pet? If you rent, please bring a copy of your lease indicating that pets are allowed and what the limitations are. Energy Level and Exercise Needs – Does your home and surrounding area have easy access to a safe exercise area? If you have a yard, is it adequately fenced? Is your fence tall enough for the type of dog which you have interest in (many dogs can scale a 4 foot fence)? If you don't have a fence do you have a plan for potty breaks? Do you have the time in your day to provide the needed exercise and companionship for this pet? Compatibility – Do you have children or do children visit often? If so, does the pet you chose get along with children? Do you have other pets – does the pet you chose get along with the types of other animals in your home? If you are adopting a dog and you already have a dog (s) at home you will be required to bring him/her with you when you visit. You will also be required to bring everyone else living in the home. Adoption Application FMAR's adoption application is used to match our adoptable pets with the best environments, lifestyles, and owner expectations. Please be honest when filling out the form and when talking to an FMAR adoption team member. All applications are reviewed by an FMAR team member for approval. If you are going to attend an FMAR event it will help the process move faster if you can download the questionnaire, fill it out and bring it with you. If you would like to submit an application via email, you can scan it and forward it to shelter1@comcast.net. Questionnaires (applications) are available on our website at http://www.fmar1.org/adoption_requirements0.aspx Please do not mail applications to FMAR as the animal may already be adopted by the time it reaches us. Attend an Adoption Event to Meet an Animal You are welcome to come to an adoption event to meet one of our adoptable animals. Please email the shelter at shelter1@comcast.net with the pets name, and the event you would like to meet him/her at. Please send your request no later than three days prior to the event. Adoption Contract After the pet has been chosen and the adoption questionnaire approved, the adopting family will be given a packet and asked to sign a contract. Included in the packet will be the pet's medical records, pet tips and other informational hand outs, including a packet with instructions on how to activate your free month of health insurance. Please make sure you check your email as soon as you get home and follow the instructions if you do not receive the email. FMAR's goal is to make your adoption experience a pleasant one for both your family and the pet. We will do our best to fit the right pet with your family. If you have any questions during the process please feel free to ask. All questions are important to ensure the pet and family have the best possible start as well as continued success.