A formal, ten point behavioral assessment is conducted on each dog to attempt to identify aggression or behavior problems, as well as to learn about the dog's personality, with the ultimate purpose being to help us determine what the best type of home would be for each particular dog/puppy, in order to help raise the odds of a successful match.  Here, Assistant Manager Sarah Hiller tries to take a toy from the mouth of a dog. How the dog reacts lets Sarah know how aggressive (or not) the dog might be.

Dessin has a progressive health care program to ensure that all pets offered for adoption are as healthy as possible. All animals surrendered to our shelter are started immediately on a vaccination and worming program. We test our cats for the Feline Leukemia Virus. Both cats and dogs are treated with Revolution to control fleas, ear mites and worms.

No pet leaves our shelter without being spayed or neutered -- even kittens and puppies as young as 8 weeks old.  By spaying and neutering our adoptees, as well as offering our spay/neuter program to the general public, we are trying to make ourselves part of the solution to the pet overpopulation problem.

Our pets also go out the door microchipped (registration is included in the adoption fee.)

Adoption fees are as follows:

Dogs:
  $150 regular fee
  $ 75 if pet is surrendered already neutered.
  $ 50 if surrendered altered with current vaccinations

  Pennsylvania residents are required to leave with a dog license which is $6.50 per year ($4.50 for senior citizens) or $31.50 for a Lifetime License ($21.50 for senior citizens).

Cats:
  $75.00 regular fee
  $40.00 if surrendered altered
  $30.00 if surrendered altered with current vaccinations

Our adoption process begins with an application and reference check. You may download the application for dogs here, and the application for cats here.  Print it out, fill it out and hand deliver it, mail it or fax it to us (570-253-4745).

Photos of many of our pets available for adoption can now be seen at the Petfinder web site.  You can also do a search for your ideal pet by going to 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com.

We encourage you to come into the shelter and meet all our wonderful pets waiting for new homes. Talk with the staff, interact with the animals, and make your choice. If you have questions, give us a call (570-253-4037) during normal business hours, or ...