{"id":16518,"date":"2024-12-12T11:39:20","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T16:39:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fbj.shq.mybluehost.me\/?page_id=16518"},"modified":"2026-02-07T21:17:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T02:17:28","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ycspca.org\/resources\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQS"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Your Guide to Adopting, Volunteering, and More<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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FAQS<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Three\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Have A Question?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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FAQs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExplore our FAQs below or choose a category to quickly find the answers you need.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAdoptions<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFoster<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMonthly Giving<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVolunteer<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWish List<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWorking Cats<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommunity Cats<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSpay\/Neuter Clinic<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Adoptions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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How do I adopt an animal? <\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Please visit the\u00a0Adopt<\/a> section of our website and fill out a questionnaire for an animal directly from their adoption profile. Our customer service counselors will call within 48 hours to set up a time to meet any potential pets you are interested in. By adopting, you are not only saving a shelter animal’s life but also ensuring we have space available for another pet in need.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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How long is my approved adoption questionnaire good for? <\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Approved adoption questionnaires are good for one year. After 12 months has lapsed, you must fill out the adoption questionnaire again.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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How long does the adoption appointment take?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

The adoption appointment can take an hour or even longer. Sometimes the process is spread over multiple days depending on the needs of the animal and the adopter. There will be meet-and-greets with potential pet(s), adoption counseling, and, prior to adoption, all animals must be spayed\/neutered, microchipped, examined, and vaccinated. This comprehensive process ensures the best match for both the animal and the adopter.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Can I take my pet home immediately?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

The answer is often yes, but the animal must be spayed\/neutered, microchipped, examined, and vaccinated before leaving the shelter. If the adopter opts for blood work, this also needs to be completed. So, it depends greatly on what the animal has already completed and what still needs to be done.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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What is included in the pet adoption fee?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Your pet will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, have a current veterinary exam, microchipped, and you will take home any medications if needed. Cats and dogs receive a sample bag of food, toys, and treats (depending on food availability). Cats will also receive a break-away collar. You will have to purchase a separate leash and dog license for dogs. Additional services are available at the time of adoption; please see our About Adoption<\/a> page for more information.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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What happens if there are problems with my pet when I get home?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

It’s normal for pets to feel stressed when transitioning into a new home. They may take a few weeks to acclimate. We follow the 3-3-3 rule: In the first 3 days, the animal may feel overwhelmed. After 3 weeks, they settle in. After three months, they are comfortable and bonded. You can explore our post-adoption resources<\/a> for information on adoption aftercare and helping your new pet properly decompress and settle into their new home.<\/p>

If you have any health, behavioral, or adjustment issues or any questions or concerns, please email us at\u00a0info@ycspca.org<\/a>\u00a0or call us at 717-764-6109<\/a>. We’re here to guide you through any issues you may have.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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How long do you keep animals that are available for adoption?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

There is no set time limit for our animals. If their health and temperament do not decline, we house them here as long as it takes for them to be adopted. Our longest-term resident was here for more than three years!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Are the animals housebroken?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Maybe. Cats and kittens, by nature, will use a litterbox; however, a huge part of taking on a pet is training and socialization. That is why we need dedicated families who are willing to not only play and cuddle with the new pet but also spend the time necessary to train and learn good behaviors.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Do you adopt to customers outside of York County?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Yes, we will adopt to people outside of the county and even in other states.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Why do you have so many Pit Bulls or bully-mixes?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Pit Bulls-type dogs are the most overbred dog breed in the country. They are also the most likely to be discriminated against by housing breed restrictions. This means you will always see them represent a large portion of our shelter population.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Do you perform landlord, veterinary or reference checks? <\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

The York County SPCA supports the Adopters Welcome Philosophy, which was first introduced by the Humane Society of the United States. Adopters Welcome removes the barriers that often exist between customers and adopting an animal. It focuses on the innate belief that people are more good than bad, and we need to trust their intentions for adopting a York County SPCA Animal. This policy promotes adoption as the best way to save animal lives. The intention is to attract adopters by removing barriers and increasing adoption opportunities for the animals in our care.<\/p>

We believe that adoption counseling is important for success and having open and honest conversations with pet owners will lead to increased adoptions and positive placements. Because of our belief in this philosophy, we do not call landlords, veterinary offices or reference checks when you adopt a pet from us.<\/strong> You can find more information on our Adoption Process and Adopters Welcome Policy<\/a> page.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Foster<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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What is animal fostering?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Animal fostering involves taking care of a pet in your home while they wait to find their permanent home. <\/span><\/span><\/span>Foster families are critical to th<\/span><\/span><\/span>e success of our organization and the pets we care for. When you welcome an animal into your home, you are saving two lives \u2013 the animal in your home and the one we now have space and capacity to care for in our shelter because of your generosity.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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What types of animals need foster care?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Any animal can benefit from the love a foster family provides. Our most urgent needs for foster families are dogs and young kittens.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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How long do animals need foster care?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Fostering can last anywhere from a few weeks to a several months, depending on the animal’s <\/span><\/span><\/span>unique needs and y<\/span><\/span><\/span>our availability. <\/span><\/span><\/span>We always have a need for foster homes throughout the year.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Can I foster if I have other pets?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Depending on the animal you are fostering \u2013 yes. <\/span><\/span><\/span>I<\/span><\/span><\/span>t’s<\/span> important to ensure that your current pets and the foster animal can co-exist peacefully.<\/span><\/span><\/span> The York County SPCA can provide support with introducing your pets <\/span><\/span><\/span>and if any issues arise while you are fostering.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Are there any requirements for my home environment in order to foster?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

While certain animals may have specific needs, for most animals, we just require you to have the time and attention to devote to your foster pet.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Do I need to have any special training or skills to foster?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

It is dependent on the animal. Most will require basic handling skills, but some animals may need medical or behavioral support. Our team is available to work with you to learn how to care for your foster pet and to ensure it works with your home environment and lifestyle.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Can I choose which animals I want to foster?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Yes, our foster coordinators will offer suggestions to fit your <\/span>home<\/span><\/span><\/span> but it is up to our foster volunteers to decide who they will bring into their home.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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What do I do with my foster animal while I am on vacation?\u00a0<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Email your foster coordinator with any upcoming vacation <\/span><\/span><\/span>dat<\/span><\/span><\/span>es <\/span><\/span><\/span>so we can either find a temporary vaca<\/span><\/span><\/span>tion foster home or arrange for them to return to the shelter during that time.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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May I post pictures of my foster animal on my social media?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Most of the time, the answer is yes! <\/span><\/span><\/span>We welcome our foster families supporting us <\/span><\/span><\/span>in promoting a<\/span><\/span><\/span>nimal adoption. <\/span><\/span><\/span>If<\/span><\/span><\/span> your foster pet ca<\/span><\/span><\/span>nnot be posted on social media, our foster coordinator will inform you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Can I adopt the animal I am fostering?\u00a0<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

In most cases, yes! <\/span><\/span><\/span>We do ask our fosters to follow <\/span><\/span><\/span>our standard adoption process<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Monthly Giving<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Is my gift tax-deductible?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Yes, we’ll email you an annual statement in January with a total of your cumulative giving for the previous calendar year to help you with your taxes.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Once I\u2019ve made an online gift, how can I make changes to my account i.e. change the amount or change my credit card number?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

It\u2019s so easy! All you need to do is drop us a line by phone or email.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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What if I need to stop giving?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Of course! Just let us know by phone or email.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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When will my credit card or bank account be charged?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Charges occur once per month. Your first gift will be charged to your credit card or bank account on the date that your transaction is made. All future charges will occur on the same day of the month for the following months. If your first gift was made on the 8th, for example, all future charges will be made on the 8th day of each month.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Can I change the date my credit card or bank account is charged?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Absolutely! Give us a call or send an email, and we can update the payment date in our secure system.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Can I change my current monthly gift from credit\/debit card to my checking account?<\/span><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Giving through your checking account saves on credit card frees and ensures your gift doesn\u2019t lapse due to changes in your card number or expiration date. This giving method is the easiest, most cost-effective way to help animals all year long!<\/p>

To change your gift from your credit\/debit card to your checking account, give us a call with your checking account number and routing number. We\u2019ll update your payment method in our secure system.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Volunteer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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