Adopt | How to Adopt: FAQs

How to Adopt: FAQs

Adopting a cat, kitten, dog or puppy from Homeward Pet, it’s easy as 1, 2, 3!

Appointments are strongly encouraged. Adoptions are completed on a first come, first served basis and people with appointments have priority.
You are welcome to stop by during adoption hours for a tour and to learn more about adopting (and will be helped as time and staffing allow), but an appointment guarantees that you’ll be helped by one of our Adoption Specialists and be able to meet an available cat or dog.

Because appointments are limited, please schedule only one appointment at a time. If you cannot make your scheduled day/time, please cancel or call and let us know as soon as possible.

Some dogs/cats will be in foster homes and not located at the shelter. This will be noted on their profile page. For animals in foster homes, we ask that you fill out an adoption application by clicking the “Adopt Me” button located on their bio.

1

Click on “Schedule an Appointment” on the Cat Adoption or Dog Adoption to schedule a convenient appointment to visit our shelter and see the dogs and/or cats available for adoption.

2

During your appointment, if you find an available dog or cat that you’re interested in adopting, your Adoption Specialist will introduce you to the animal, review the animal’s history, behavior, health and more.

3

If the animal you meet is a good match for you and you choose to adopt, the animal will go home with you the same day.

Adoption FAQs

Open for adoptions 7 days a week, 12pm-5pm.

During your appointment you’ll be able to visit with an animal you’re thinking about adopting, see all of our available animals, and talk with one of our Adoption Specialists about animal care and adoption. Priority is given to those with appointments but, depending on staffing, we can also assist walk-in visitors during those hours.

When you schedule an appointment to come visit you will be asked to fill out a brief adoption survey to help us better match you with potential pets.

Our adoption fees are:

Kitten (under 6 months) – $200/$325 pair
Adolescent cat (6 months – 2 years) – $175
Adult cat (2 – 8 years) – $130
Senior (over 8 years) or special needs cat – $75

Puppy (under 6 months) – $450
Adolescent and Adult dogs (6 months – 8 years)
– Small: $350
– Large: $300
Senior (over 8 years) or Special Needs dog
– Small: $250
– Large: $150

Homeward Pet accepts cash, major debit and credit cards, and local checks printed with name and current address.

All available Homeward Pet animals are spayed or neutered, microchipped, given a comprehensive health exam by our staff veterinarian (including baseline blood work on all cats and dogs over 8 years of age), current on vaccines* (DHPP, bordetella and rabies for dogs; FVRCP and rabies for cats), de-wormed and given flea control.

*Young kittens and puppies may not be old enough to have received all of their annual vaccines at the time of adoption, but will be current for their age; kittens and puppies should be at least 6 months of age to receive a rabies vaccine.

Your dog adoption fee also includes a certificate for a free veterinary exam with the vet of your choice, a free introductory training class with GoodPup (plus an exclusive lifetime discount), free microchip registration, leash, collar and ID tag.

Your cat adoption fee includes a certificate for a free veterinary exam with the vet of your choice, free microchip registration, and a carrier.

Adoptions may also include a variety of coupons and special offers from Homeward Pet partners when available.

It can be beneficial to have all household members meet the prospective new animal prior to adoption. If you are considering adopting a dog and already have a dog at home, we strongly recommend that you bring your dog to your scheduled appointment to meet the dog you’d like to adopt.

Please make sure that your dog is current on vaccinations to help prevent the potential transmission of disease.

You should be at least 18 years of age to adopt.

Appointments are strongly encouraged. If you make an appointment, we can ensure there will be staff available to help you, no wait time, and plenty of 1:1 time with your Adoption Specialist. Walk-ins will be helped as staffing and time allows.

We allot 90 minutes for each adoption appointment. However, sometimes it takes less time and sometimes more. It is variable based on the animals you are meeting, if there are meet and greets with resident dogs, and so on. During the appointment time, you’ll get to meet with the animal, talk to one of our Adoption Specialists about that animal’s care, and determine if they will be a good fit for your family.

Yes. During your appointment, we will answer any questions you may have and give you time to meet with the animal and make your decision. If we find a good match and you choose to adopt, we’ll complete the adoption paperwork – which includes a signed contract, microchip registration, certificate for a free vet exam, and medical records – collect the adoption fee, and then send you home with your new four-legged friend. We do not place animals on hold.

Homeward Pet does not generally do home checks, although we do reserve the right to visit your home prior to, or following, adoption. We may also verify home ownership or contact your landlord for confirmation of pet policies or approval prior to adoption.

We do not place animals on hold.

No. We do not reserve animals, or accept payment or a deposit in advance. We also do not house animals following adoption. All animals leave the premises upon completion of the adoption paperwork.

Guidelines for adopting a cat or kitten

You’re welcome to bring in everyone who’ll be living with the cat for your adoption appointment. This will give you a chance to see how the cat reacts to everyone and how everyone interacts with the cat (this can be especially important for younger kids). Plus, getting a pet is a big, family decision!

Adopted cats and kittens should live indoors. Indoor cats live longer and stay healthier, avoiding the dangers of disease and predators outdoors.

We advocate against declawing cats. Declawing is painful, can cause chronic pain, and can result in numerous behavior issues. Ask one of our Adoption Specialists about humane alternatives.

If you’re thinking about adopting a young kitten (under 6 months), there are a few things that require careful consideration:

  • Be sure that any kids are mature enough to gently handle a kitten.
  • Kittens take a lot of your attention and need supervision around young kids (and vice versa).
  • Think about how much time and energy you have to socialize and play with a very young kitten. We often recommend adopting a pair of kittens to help them burn off energy, build confidence and keep each other company. Or, you may want to consider a slightly older kitten.
A person in a blue knit sweater holds a fluffy orange tabby cat in their arms. The cat looks relaxed and content while the person smiles gently in the background.
A man with brown hair smiles with his eyes closed as a black and white dog affectionately licks his cheek. The man hugs the dog and wears a plaid shirt, while the background is a reddish wall.

Guidelines for adopting a dog or puppy

You’re welcome to bring in everyone who’ll be living with the dog, including your resident dog(s), for your adoption appointment. This will give you a chance to see how the dog reacts to everyone and how everyone interacts with the dog (this can be especially important for younger kids). Plus, getting a pet is a big, family decision! We have indoor and outdoor spaces to introduce a dog to your family and your resident dog(s).

We adopt dogs and puppies to live indoors and be part of the family, and not be kept outside or as guard dogs.

If you’re thinking about adopting a young puppy (under 6 months), there are a few things that require careful consideration:

  • Be sure that any kids are mature enough to gently handle a puppy.
  • Puppies take a lot of your attention and need supervision around young kids (and vice versa).
  • Think about how much time and energy you have to house-train, socialize, and play with a very young puppy.