At Proctor Subaru, we're pretty wild about pets! You may have noticed from the always-fresh water bowl, the stocked treat jar, and outdoor walking areas equipped with bags and waste bins, that our dealership is very pet-friendly! Whether you're shopping for a Subaru, coming in for a service appointment, or cruising around town in your Subaru, we think life is better with a furry friend in the passenger seat!

That is why we are proud to partner with the Leon County Humane Society to sponsor pet adoption events throughout the year including Paws Fur A Cause and Home Fur the Holidays.

Congratulations! Not only will you become an adoring human to a furry friend in need, but you are also helping to reduce the population of homeless pets in Tallahassee, while clearing room for Leon County Humane Society and their foster humans to rescue more local animals!

How much does it cost to adopt a pet? That depends on several things- the age, the breed, and where you are adopting from! At the Leon County Humane Society, you can expect to spend between $80-$150 on cat adoptions with dog adoptions starting at $250. Read more about their pet packages here.

It is important to remember that even though the initial cost of pet ownership is lower when adopting instead of buying, there are still other predictable recurring costs (food, toys, medications) and unpredictable costs (catching a virus or a trip to the animal hospital from eating the kids' trick-or-treat candy).

It's always a good idea to budget for predictable, recurring costs and keep some funds in savings, too in the event of an emergency.

Animals undoubtedly enrich our lives, but it's important to remember that becoming a pet owner means making a lifelong commitment to that animal.

How long does the average pet live? Cats typically live 15-20 years, while the average dog lives 10-15 years.

Rescue animals have already lived part of their lives without a home and without a family to love them. The objective of adopting through the Leon County Humane Society is to make sure that these animals never have to be without a home and without the love of a human again.

Even though it can be hard to plan for the future, planning for the next 10-20 years will help ensure that the decision to adopt a pet will be a lasting partnership for both of you. It is worth considering how job changes, schooling, relocating, and changing living situations (roommates, dating, breakups, children, future retirement homes) could impact the life and compatibility of your pet.

While its not as easy as swiping left or right, finding the perfect pet to adopt requires some matchmaking skills! There are a lot of compatibility factors to consider when adopting a pet.

Leon County Humane Society takes extra care to match animals with humans who have a home, interest, and lifestyle that is compatible with the animal's social, exercise, and training needs.

Regardless of their age, there will be an adjustment period for your new pet. They are going through a period of major transition as they adjust to their new home. They may have accidents or even experience some behavioral quirks as they get settled into their new lives.

This will require a patient owner who is willing to put in the work to make the transition as smooth as possible. The Leon County Humane Society is always available to offer behavior advice as your new pet acclimates to their new home.

The adoption process may vary depending on where you live and which organization you choose to adopt through. At Proctor Subaru, we have chosen to partner with the Leon County Humane Society on pet adoption events. If you live in the Tallahassee area, the following steps were written just for you as a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to adopting through LCHS.

Browse pets available for adoptions here.

Available at events, through online submission, or printable at home here.

Speak with LCHS volunteers or the animal's foster family to determine if you and the pet are compatible.

A volunteer from LCHS will be there to guide you through the process. It helps to bring in medical and vaccination records for any pets your family already has and provide proof of authorization to have a pet if you rent your home.

Adoption packages usually include vaccines, medical screenings, and spay/neuter procedures. LCHS accepts cash, check, or credit card.

How long does it take to adopt an animal? If you are attending an adoption event and have the proper payment, paperwork, and are a good fit for the animal, you should be able to welcome your pet to it's new home that very same day!

The process is much the same, but may take a bit longer. The Leon County Humane Society has foster families who keep the dogs at their homes. This gives the dogs human interaction and also provides potential adoptive families with insight from a real person about the dogs' personality and needs. Visits to meet the dog will need to be coordinated with the foster person's schedule, so it is not usually a same-day process like when attending an event.

If you live in the Tallahassee area, please check out the adoption process and adoption packages available through LCHS.

• Pet food. Do research to determine what is best for your budget and your animal's health needs.
• Bowls for food and water (some people like a mat underneath to prevent mess and keep the bowls from sliding).
• A pet bed and crate if needed.
• A collar and leash for dogs.
• A carrier for cats.
• Identification tags to attach to your pet's collar.
• A litter box and litter for cats.
• Carpet stain remover (even the best pets will have an occasional accident).
• Toys. The best way to prevent your pet from chewing or scratching things that it shouldn't is to provide them with their own toys to play with.

Check out our selection of Subaru Pet Gear as well as pet-related accessories for your Subaru!

We hope this guide has helped you navigate the process of how to adopt a pet! Congratulations on your decision. We wish you and your pet many pawsitively happy years together! Follow us on social media or join our email list to stay informed about upcoming adoption events at Proctor Subaru.