
There are so many reasons to adopt a rescue animal. All of our animals at Helping PAWS Pet Rescue are in need of a second chance. By choosing to adopt, you will give one of them a new life in a loving home.
Page Quick Links: Minimum Requirements Adoption Process
Adopt
Before You Begin
We are seeking the best match for our animals. As such, we consider all applications for a particular animal and do not operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. The decision to adopt is an important one which we take very seriously. We approve adopters who have excellent veterinary history which includes annual wellness exams and preventive care for their pets, as well as immediate medical attention for illness or injury.
Minimum Requirements
If you are visiting our website, we know you are strongly considering adoption. The decision to adopt is an important one which we take very seriously. Helping PAWS Pet Rescue believes all responsible families deserve and benefit from pet ownership.
To adopt an animal, you must be:
- At least 21 years old
- Able to provide veterinary and personal references
- Able to pay the adoption donation cost
As you learn about our available animals, please consider your lifestyle and how this may affect the animal you choose. Are you away from home often and will your new pet be lonely? Who will care for your animal when you are away?
If you rent a home or apartment, are pets allowed? Are you prepared to pay for high-quality food, routine veterinary care, vaccinations, and emergency care if it is needed?
Adopt
The Process

We are seeking the best match for our animals and for you, we consider all applications for a particular animal, and do not operate on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Applications are reviewed anonymously by our Adoption Committee. Every effort is made to obtain a determination as quickly as possible, and many applications are processed in as little as 24 hours.
The overall process sequence is shown below.
Click each step to learn more.
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1. Learn About Our Available Animals
We invite you to learn more about our available animals by viewing them on this website! All of our animals are examined and care for by a licensed veterinarian.
If you meet our requirements and are serious about adoption, we invite you to schedule time to come visit our available animals in-person. It is always a good idea to have the entire family meet the potential new family member before you commit to adoption. We ask that you remember that a rescue environment can be stressful for some animals, and some of them may exhibit shyness and nervousness.
While we can’t facilitate cat-to-cat meetings or cat-to-dog meetings at our facility, we will gladly accept our animals back if the adoption placement doesn’t work out. Dog Adopters Note: If you have a dog in your home already, a dog-to-dog meet and greet is required prior to adoption.
2. Learn About the Adoption Process
Adopting a pet is a big decision, and HPPR works hard to ensure that every adoption is the best possible experience for the pet and family alike.
HPPR believes all responsible families deserve and benefit from the companionship of a pet.
There are no costs associated with the application process, although an adoption donation is required.
The process involves contacting the applicant’s veterinary and personal references to ensure that any adopted pet will always have optimal nutrition, preventive and medical care.
3. Adoption Costs
There are no costs associated with the application process. Should you move forward with an adoption, there is an adoption donation required.
Cats: Cost determined on a case-by-case basis after the age, health, and needs of each cat have been individually determined. Base donation is $100
Dogs: Cost determined on a case-by-case basis after the age, health, and needs of each dog have been individually determined. Base donation is $300-$500
Miniature Horses: Base donation is $300
Big Horses: A donation from $500 to $2000, depending on the level of training, age, use, show-ability, etc.
4. The Application Process
We require potential adopters to complete and submit an adoption & foster application. Please take a moment to read about the adoption process, and carefully fill out the adoption & foster application which can be found on this website. Because we are seeking the best match for our animals and for you, we consider all applications for a particular animal, and do not operate on a first-come-first serve basis. Applications are reviewed anonymously by our Adoptions Committee.
Every effort is made to obtain a determination as quickly as possible, and many applications are processed in as little as 24 hours. Delays, when they do occur, are most often the result of missing or incomplete veterinary information. A volunteer will contact you as soon as your application has been reviewed to notify you whether the application has been accepted or to request further information. If approved, an appointment will be made for you to meet our available pets and to discuss all aspects of their care, especially including nutrition.
Submit the Application: Complete the application online by clicking the Online Application Form button below.
5. Three Possible Outcomes
An approved application can lead to three different outcomes for you and the pet of your choice:
Foster Care is, by nature, temporary. With this option, the foster family provides a home for an animal until a permanent home comes along. If this is your preferred scenario, then a Volunteer Application should also be completed, as all of our foster families are technically Helping PAWS volunteers, and will be included in regular communications with our volunteer network. Before taking an animal home, a Fostering Agreement is completed with a Helping PAWS responsible party to explain the family’s responsibilities and our expectations, and to answer any questions.
Foster-to-Adopt is a “middle” option between foster and adopt. No pet can be adopted from Helping PAWS until it has been spayed or neutered, so this is a good way to bring home a young kitten or puppy who still needs its surgery. This option is also a great one for those who are not sure how a new pet will fit into their household. It gives prospective adopters the chance to introduce their new friend to their home, children, and other pets. Before an animal would be taken home, a Foster-to-Adopt Agreement would be signed, and the adoption fee would be paid, along with a spay/neuter deposit of $75 where applicable. If the pet is spayed/neutered at Country Care Pet Hospital (located on the same property as Helping PAWS), then the $50 pays for the spay or neuter. If the surgery is completed elsewhere, then the $75 is refunded to the adopter once Helping PAWS receives proof of the surgery.
Adoption is the official transfer of the animal to the new owner. As long as the pet has already been spayed/neutered, this option is available directly after a successful Meet-and-Greet, as long as the potential adopter and pet are a good match! This is also an option for any foster family or Foster-to-Adopt family who has come to the conclusion that they would like to keep their foster friend. Adoptions are complete when the adoption donation cost has been paid, the pet has been spayed/neutered, and the Adoption Contract has been completed.
Because our commitment is to the happiness and health of the animal, we are happy to work with adopters to ensure long-term success for both animal and adoptive family. We recognize that even after adequate adjustment periods, not all adoptions are good fits and under these circumstances, we accept our animals back to find them a successful home elsewhere.
Please Note: Helping Paws is a volunteer-run rescue so it may take a few days for us to respond to your inquiry or review your application.

Helping PAWS is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are primarily a volunteer-run organization. If you are interested in joining our volunteer team, please contact us.
126 West Bayfield Street, Suite 3
PO Box 294
Washburn, WI 54891
Alternative Contact: 715-513-6106
Hours
By Appointment Only
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