Every animal adopted from us was saved by the support of people like you.

Things to Consider Before Adopting a Dog or Cat

Adoption Requirements
Adoption Fees
What's Included in the Adoption Fee
Discounts for Your New Pet

It is easy to fall in love with many of the cats and dogs in our shelter. But all animals and adoptive families have different needs. So here are a few things to consider when choosing your new family member.

• Are you a "big" dog person or do you prefer a smaller dog?
• Do you want a lap cat or an independent one?
• Do you currently have pets?
• How long will the pet be left alone?
• Are you looking for a running partner or a fellow couch potato?
• Do you want a kitten or puppy, or are you looking for an adult animal?
• Do you have young children in the house? Click here for more things to think about.

With a little information from you, our staff can help you find the perfect pet. Need more assistance? Contact us.

Adoption Requirements

In order to adopt your new family member, we require the following:

• Bring a tax bill or mortgage statement as proof of home ownership OR a lease stating that you are allowed to have a pet. We also require your landlord's phone number so that we can speak with him or her.
• Bring an ID with current address.
• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• The entire household must be present for the adoption of an adult dog.
• We take many things into consideration when making a decision about placing our pets in homes. Every situation is different, so please understand that we are trying to make the best match for both you and our furry friends.

Adoption Fees

• Kittens $150
• Adult Cats $25 - $50
• Adult Cat Pairs $75
• Mature Cats (7+ years) $25
• Puppies $350 - $395
• Teens (5 - 10 months) $300 - $395
• Small dogs $250 - $395
• Large dogs $175 - $395

Adoption fees may be paid with cash (sorry, no checks), Mastercard, and VISA. While the above fees apply to most adoptions, the Shelter may require more or less than the fees listed above. For example, we have a higher adoption fee for a purebred dog to help offset the extra expenses of animals that need medical care. Also, we will set a lower fee for older pets to make it easier for them to find a new home.

The Shelter's staff is trained to help families choose the right pet for their personalities and lifestyles. The Shelter reserves the right to deny any adoption that the staff feels is not in the best interests of the family or pet.

Occasionally, people ask why there is any adoption fee at all when we are a non-profit organization whose mission is to place all our pets in permanent, loving homes. Unfortunately, it costs money to operate our Shelter. We fund airline and van transportation for arriving pets, medical care, feeding costs, gas and electricity, telephone, Internet, building maintenance, office and building supplies, municipal payments in lieu of property taxes, insurance, and a long list of other costs from our own pockets to keep the Shelter running properly.

We are not subsidized by any state or national programs. The adoption fee covers only about half of our expenses; to cover the deficit we depend upon the donations of generous individuals wanting to do their part to ensure that our cats and dogs get the care that they deserve. Read more about how to make a tax-deductible monetary donation.

What's Included in the Adoption Fee

The feline adotion fee includes:

• Up to date vaccines including Distemper Combo and Rabies
• Any necessary worming
• Felv/FIV test or FELV test
• Spay/Neuter Certificate if necessary
• Basic health check for fleas, mites, skin conditions
• 1 Free physical within 10 days at New England Veterinary Clinic
• All felines are provided with a Shelter ID tag

The canine adoption fee includes:

• Up to date vaccines including Distemper Combo and Rabies
• Any necessary worming
• Heartworm/Lyme/Ehrlichia test if over 6 months old
• Spay/Neuter Certificate if necessary
• Basic health check for fleas, mites, skin conditions
• 1 Free physical within 10 days at New England Veterinary Clinic
• All canines are provided with a Shelter ID tag
• Canines over 4 months will also go home with a collar
• Additional $5 fee for canines that are microchipped

Discounts for Your New Pet

For discounts for your adoptee, please print these flyers:

• Lightshed Photography - Salem
• New England Veterinary Clinic – Salem
• The Animal Hospital of Lynnfield – Lynnfield
• Best Friends – Wakefield
• Healthy Dog Pet Company – Wakefield
• Four Seasons Pet Resort – Peabody
• Dogs By Design – Beverly
• Baystate K-9 Training – Middleton
• Tasher Studio of Photography – Woburn
• Fit n Trim Training – Rowley
• Hale Pet Door Discount – Online