Adoptions Process
Meet & Greet
- Please follow the instructions in each pet’s profile.
- For in-shelter pets:
- Visit adoptable pets in person at the shelter during regular business hours.
- For in-foster pets:
- To meet an animal that is in a foster home, please email the address listed in the pet’s profile.
- The foster family will work with you to schedule a virtual or in-person (at the discretion of the foster family) meet & greet within 24-48 hours.
- The meet & greet does not guarantee adoption.
Complete Online Application
- For in-shelter pets:
- If you would like to apply to adopt a pet after your meet & greet, a staff member at our front desk will email you a link to the pet’s online application.
- At the time of application, you will pay a hold fee of $25 which will go towards the pet’s adoption fee. The fee is non-refundable if you do not complete the adoption process within 24 hours.
- You can fill out our application at one of our adoption kiosks or on your own time. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-matched basis, so we will recommend potential adopters fill out the application and pay the hold fee as soon as possible if they are interested in adopting.
- After your application is received, a staff member will call you (within 24 hours*) to review your application.
- *During busy adoption periods, this time may vary.
- For in-foster pets:
- If you would like to apply to adopt a pet after your meet & greet, the pet’s foster parent will email you a link to the pet’s online application. We ask that you complete the application by 7pm on the same day. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-matched basis.
- After your application is received, a staff member will call you (within 24 hours) to review your application.
Sign Contracts & Pay Adoption Fee
- Once your application has been approved, you will sign the adoption contract and pay the adoption fee online.
Take Home Your New Pet!
- Once you have signed the adoption contract and paid the adoption fee, you will be able to set up a time to pick up your new pet and take them home. Same-day adoptions may be arranged at the discretion of our adoptions team.
- Please wear a mask when you arrive to take home your new pet.
Sleepovers
- Eligible dogs (more than six months old and weighing more than 25lbs) may be taken home with potential adopters for a three-day sleepover – this is your chance to get to know the pet and fall in love!
- Adopters must notify our adoptions team by 12PM on the last day of their sleepover if they would like to move forward with an adoption.
- There is a $25 non-refundable hold fee to take a dog on a sleepover. If you choose to adopt, this fee is applied to your final adoption fee.
Adoptions will still take place on a first-come, first-matched basis and standard adoption policies apply. If you have questions, feel free to email adoptions@awla.org.
