Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are some questions we receive from people concerning adopting dogs from the shelter. If your question is not addressed below, please email us and we will do our best to answer it.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Our adoption fees are $23.50 for an altered dog.
How much is a license/dog tag?
$16.00 for an altered dog, and $21.00 for an un-altered dog. You can purchase the tag from the Meridian Police Department or our shelter. You need to show proof of a Rabies Vaccination and a spay/neuter certificate.
If you do not have a spay/neuter certificate, you will be charged $21.00.
What are the rules regarding license/dog tags? (ie. does it only apply to the city of Meridian)
If you have a Meridian address, you need to purchase a Meridian City license tag for your dog, even if you live on a farm or ranch. In addition to purchasing a City tag, we also encourage people to go to one of the pet stores, and have an I.D. tag engraved.
Why is there a waiting period to adopt a dog?
We have a 5 day waiting period in order to give pet owners a reasonable amount of time to locate their pets. We also use this as a safeguard against anyone turning in a dog that is not their own.
How much does it cost to spay or neuter a dog?
It totally depends on the sex and size of the dog as well as which vet is used. There are extra fees if the dog is pregnant, is in heat, etc. If a male has a retained testicle that hasn't dropped, then there is an extra fee for that. In addition to the cost of the surgery, the new owner will need to pay the vet for a Rabies vaccination and pain medication to take home with the dog. The new owner can choose to have more procedures done at the vet's, but with each procedure added on, their cost will go up. Some estimated basic guidelines for prices are listed below.
Neuter |
Spay |
| |
| Under 50lbs |
$40.00 |
Under 50lbs |
$50.00 |
| |
| 50 - 89lbs |
$55.00 |
50 - 89lbs |
$75.00 |
| |
| 90lbs and up |
$65.00 |
90lbs and up |
$95.00 |
| |
| Restrained Testicles |
$Additional $30.00 |
In heat/pregnant or post partum |
Additional fee $40-$50 depending on the size of the dog. |
How do you determine which home a dog will go to if there are multiple families interested in adopting him?
If there are several people who are interested in the same dog, we will ask the families to fill out an adoption application and determine which home suits the dog best.
E-mail:
meridiananimalshelter@hotmail.com
