KIRKSVILLE, MISSOURI -- In 2010, the Adair County Humane Society adopted out over 1,000 pets. On average they are finding homes for 30 – 40 animals per month, and that can sometimes hike up to 75 – 80 during Spring and Summer.

Missy Decker, Shelter Manager, attributes those quality adoptions to an application process.

The one page application contains 10 questions, and you must be approved before you can visit with the animals.

In response to viewer questions about the necessity of the application, I spoke with Decker.

“[It’s] to give us some background on what type of pet you’re looking for, and hopefully for us to make the best match for you, for [your] family and also for the individual pet,” said Decker. “What some people may think they're looking for may not be what that pet actually needs.”

Applications are typically approved or declined within 48 hours, and that approval may be good for certain pets, but not for others.

"A lot of these animals at the shelter have been let down at least once in their life; that's why they're at a shelter, so we're just trying very hard to make sure that they're going to have additional vet care when they leave, that they're going to be indoors if they need to be, that they're going to be safe with children, [and] safe in the environment that they're in.”

Since the application process came into play, Decker said they have had more quality-adoptions, and no returns.

"The application takes approximately five minutes to fill out,” said Decker. “If someone is not willing to take five minutes for something that they're going to have care of for approximately 15 years... We want to be sure they're going to be serious about that commitment.”

The Adair County Humane Society is located just outside of Kirksville, on Highway 6 West.

Also in response to viewer questions, their prices have not changed. They have remained the same for several years.

Adult dog adoptions cost $75, which includes a spay/neuter, rabies shot, booster shot, and deworming. Extra costs may apply for any extra additional medical needs he/she may need.

Cat adoptions cost $60, with the same criteria as adult dogs.

Puppy adoptions are $65, and $40 of that is used as a deposit for sterilization. When you show verification of a spay/neuter after the age of six months, you will be refunded.