Adopting a Pet: Know Before You Go
- Every adoption visit requires completing an adoption survey. We ask you submit your adoption survey to staff at least one hour before closing. View our hours and location here.
- Our ability to complete adoption services may vary depending on daily visit capacity, particularly toward the end of the day. To reduce your wait time, we recommend visiting during mid-morning or mid-afternoon when there is typically less traffic.
- In general, we can offer each patron a visit with up to three pets per day. This helps potential adopters avoid decision fatigue and supports staff availability and shelter operational needs.
- We understand that community members may have limited availability, and our staff will work with you to provide reasonable flexibility. We prioritize positive outcomes for everyone involved in the adoption process, which means avoiding rushing visitation and adoption steps.
1. View Available Pets Online
You can see which pets are available for adoption at any time by clicking here. While our online database updates regularly, there is always a chance that a pet you saw online may have already found a home.
While all our pets are special, some are fortunate enough to have multiple interested adopters. In this instance, we work on a first-come, first-served basis to find the best match.
2. Visit the Shelter
Stop by during regular business hours to meet adoptable pets in person. If you looked online ahead of time, bring a list of pets you are interested in.
You are welcome to roam the adoptable areas or go straight to see our Customer Care team in the lobby to set up an adoption visit, which requires completing an adoption survey (kept on file for up to 30 days).
Please have your adoption survey submitted to staff at least one hour before closing and plan on spending around 15-20 minutes per visit – not including wait times.
3. Complete Your Adoption
If the visit goes well and you’re ready to adopt, please be prepared to take your new pet with you that day (some pets may need to stay at the shelter until spay/neuter surgery is complete).
You can expect to spend about 30 minutes to complete paperwork, pay the adoption fee, and receive your adoption packet – not including wait times. For cat/dog adoptions, this includes:
- New pet adoption packet
- Age-appropriate vaccinations
- Spay/Neuter
- Microchip identification
- Temporary leash or carrier
- Free visit with a participating veterinary office within 14 days of adoption
Please Note:
We encourage dog-to-dog meet and greets; and for some of our dogs, this will be a requirement to ensure a smooth transition to their new home.
We do not place general holds for animals, but we can offer a 2-hour hold for one pet immediately following an in-person visit. This provides time for adopters to participate in a dog-to-dog meet and greet, consider their decision, or prepare to bring the pet home.
Adoption fees help support the thousands of animals we care for each year. Click here to view adoption fees and discounts and check our main page or social media for potential adoption specials.
While we hope the animal you adopt is the right fit, we understand this is not always the case. You are always welcome to return an adopted pet into our care, and we offer a refund of the adoption fee within 90 days.
We advocate for animals and their families.
We want each pet in our care and the families who adopt them to succeed. How? By listening to the individual needs and expectations of each family, then finding the best pet match. We provide transparent counseling and insight to ensure you know how to best care for your new family member. We believe the more you know about your pet, the higher chance for a long, happy life together.
Thank you! We appreciate your interest in providing a loving home to a pet at Riverdale Animal Shelter.
