FAQs and Resources

Consider this your Hudson Valley SPCA University section! We hope to fill it with all kinds of valuable information and links to resources on your left that you can use every day. Come back often! We'll be adding things here all the time. 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Many people have asked us really important questions over the years, so we thought we'd put them down in one place in the hopes that the answers will help others. Check back often because there are always questions that need answering! Have a question? Email it to us at info@HudsonValleySPCA.org and we'll do our best to answer it.

 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ADOPT A DOG OR A CAT?

At the Hudson Valley SPCA, we do not charge a fee for our adoptions but we do ask for a donation of $300 for dogs and $150 for cats. That donation helps us cover vaccinations, spaying/neutering, heart worm treatment, supplemental foods, medications and other medical treatments the animals may need when they come into our care. We receive no funding from private or government agencies to financially support us. We totally depend on donations to pay our vet bills so that no animal is ever denied needed medical care.   

 

HOW CAN I CHOOSE FROM ALL THE ANIMALS AVAILABLE?

Our trained staff will ask you some questions designed to find the best match for your needs. We will introduce you to some wonderful animals and then, it’s up to you and to the animal to create the sparks. Snuggle a cat, play with a dog, let them show off their personality in a relaxed setting – you will find your one and only love, we promise.

 

WILL MY NEW PET GET ALONG WITH MY OTHER ANIMALS / KIDS?

Just ask! We take some sad and scared animals, and our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to make help them trust again so that they can show all the love they have to offer. There are, however, some animals who prefer to be the only apple of your eye. Others may be too old or frightened to be comfortable around small children. We will guide you through the process.

 

ARE ALL OF YOUR ANIMALS SPAYED/NEUTERED?

Absolutely! They are also vaccinated and checked out by our vets.

 

WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY NEW PET WHEN I GET HOME?

We feed our cats Purina Naturals Dry Cat Food and our dogs Purina Dry Dog Food. We highly recommend feeding your pets a good quality pet food to keep them healthy, happy and strong. If you would like to transition to another brand, we recommend transitioning graduation to prevent upset tummies.

 

WILL MY NEW DOG BE HOUSE-TRAINED?

Yes! Some may have a few accidents in the excitement of a new, loving environment. Just call us and we’ll help you with any issue. Check our Bringing Your New Dog Home to learn some tips about introducing a new dog into your home. 

 

I NEED TO FIND A NEW HOME FOR MY PET. WILL YOU TAKE HIM IN?

We're sorry to hear you are considering surrendering your pet. Are you having trouble affording your pet's vet bill? Is your pet destructive? We have resources that may help you keep your companion pet at home. Call us at (845) 564-6810 and we will try to help you keep your pet.

 

ARE YOUR CATS STRAYS?

Some of our cats are strays, some are friendly ferals, some are abandoned family pets and others are surrendered due to family issues or emergencies. All cats (and dogs) are rehabilitated and our volunteers give them love and attention so they are ready to go to their forever homes.

 

WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG TO TAKE MY KITTEN HOME?

We wait until kittens are fully vaccinated so they are healthy and ready for a new home. Don't worry, they will still be kittens and totally worth the wait!

 

MY NEW CAT IS HIDING! WHAT DO I DO?

About half of the cats who leave to go to their forever homes hide at first. They will come out – we promise! In the meantime, visit the Bringing Your New Cat Home page to learn how best to introduce your new cat into your household.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE ADOPTION DOESN'T WORK OUT?

If you are having problems with your new pet, we will do our best to help you keep him or her. However, if there is no way that issues can be resolved, the pet you adopted at the HVSPCA will always have a home with us.