Adoption Process

Meeting A Potential Friend

We welcome visitors of our pets to the shelter during our open hours. Occasionally some of pets will go to off-site adoption events, so they may not be at the shelter at all times.  Feel free to call and confirm that a particular pet has no prior engagements. You will need to schedule an appointment to meet any pet in foster care. (COVID UPDATE: An appointment is required to visit the shelter. Approved adopters will be contacted to schedule an appointment. See you soon!)

Friends In Foster Care
To meet someone in foster care,  we ask that you  complete an adoption application. In order to make fostering as easy as possible for our foster parents, an application will first need to be approved before a meeting is set up. 

Applying For Adoption

Our Process

In an effort to make this a smooth process, we wanted to highlight details of our process: 

  • Applications can be completed in person at the shelter or submitted online.  (Covid Update: Applications must be completed online. Thank you!)
  • Applications require personal reference, veterinarian and property/landlord checks.
  • Applications are assessed on a first come, first basis.
  • Indicating interest for a specific pet may place them on hold for you, but no more than two pets can be put on hold.
  • Applications must be complete, as incomplete applications will not be processed.

We do our best to process applications as quickly as possible, but do require collaboration with vets, references and landlords.   So, please expect a two to three days to hear from us as to the status of your application. 

Helpful Tips

  • Review your application to be sure all questions are answered completely, as incomplete applications will not be processed.
  • Contact your references and let them know we will be calling, as many people screen their calls.   
  • Some veterinary clinics will not release information without the owner’s permission. Please contact your veterinarian and give them permission to release information to us when we call.  
  • If your pet has been to multiple veterinary clinics, be sure we have all contact numbers or that your pet’s records have been compiled at one vet office. 
  • Lastly, feel free to check in on your application status if you haven’t heard from us in 2-3 days. We may need your help getting connected with one of your contacts.

Understanding Adoption Fees

Our adoption fees are much less than what it would cost you to have all of these services done by a veterinarian. 

Dogs

  • $240  (Younger than 6 months)
  • $180  (6 months and older)

Cats

  • $100  (Younger than 6 months)
  • $75  (6 months-1 year)
  • $50  (Older than 1 year)
Now, as a perspective pet owner: Why is "Free to good home" bad for you? First of all, people who would give so little concern to the future of the pets in their care probably also have very little concern for their health as well. It is very likely that the sweet baby you just took home has heartworm, parvo, distemper, feline HIV, feline Leukemia, etc. which could cost you many hundreds of dollars or more if your new best friend even survives the ordeal.

Secondly, your "free" pet has probably not had any of the basic veterinary services that we (and many other shelters) include in our adoption fee.  Below we've provided a quick comparison of our fees against the real costs of "free to a good home."
Pets Without Parents
Free To Good Home
Pets Without Parents
Free To Good Home
50-100
Free
180-240
Free
CAT ADOPTION FEE
Includes:
CAT ADOPTION FEE
Additional Costs:
DOG ADOPTION FEE
​Includes:
DOG ADOPTION FEE
Additional Costs:
Spay/Neuter
$100-250
Spay/Neuter
$175-360
Deworming
$15-20
Deworming
$15-20
Feline Leukemia/FIV Test
$40-55
Heartworm Test & 1st Preventative
$45-60
1st Rabies Vaccination
$15-25
1st Rabies Vaccination
$15-25
1st Flea/Tick Control
$15
1st Flea/Tick Control
$15
Initial Vet Exam
$40-80
Initial Vet Exam
$40-80
Keep in mind that these prices only reflect basic preventative veterinary care; it does not take into account treatment of illnesses that may be present. At Pets Without Parents, we will incur the medical expenses to treat the pet before he or she can be adopted. 
​
So, now that you see how truly valuable the included products and services are, don't you agree that "Free Isn't Really Free?" Our adoption fee not only includes numerous services; it also includes peace of mind.
​
 Hours: 12pm-8pm 7 days a week   Visits by APPOINTMENT ONLY
(614) 267-PAWS [7297] 
© 2016 Pets Without Parents. All Rights Reserved    ​​
Pets Without Parents is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization.