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Adoption Process

Adoption Process

Adoption Process

Our adoption process has changed due to COVID-19. We’re currently doing adoptions in two ways depending on whether an animal is physically housed at one of our locations or in a foster home. If you’re interested in adopting, below are the steps you’ll take while finding your new perfect match.

Adopting an Animal who is at one of our Locations

  1. Start on our adoptable animals pages. You can view all of our adoptable dogs and cats right now.
  2. Come to one of our locations to adopt. Once you’ve found an animal (or a few animals) who is a good match and listed as being at one of our locations, come to us to adopt! Please visit our Atlanta and Alpharetta pages to see our adoption hours.
  3. Bring a mask! Members of the public are encouraged to wear a face mask covering their nose and mouth while inside our facilities. We are also limiting the number of people in our buildings at one time.

Adopting an Animal who is in a Foster Home

  1. Start on our adoptable animals pages. You can view all of our adoptable dogs and cats right now.
  2. Read their biographies. Each animal has a personalized biography that talks about their likes and dislikes, and will help you learn a bit more about them. This should help you decide if they are a good match for you and your family.
  3. Apply to adopt. Once you’ve found an animal who is a good match, fill out a pre-adoption application form.
  4. We’ll be in touch. When your application is received, we’ll be in contact within 48-72 hours via email or text to let you know that you’ve been placed in a queue for the animal or via phone to schedule a meet and greet.
  5. Meet your new best friend! Our team will set up a socially distanced meet and greet with you and the pet and will be there to answer any questions you might have.
  6. Finalize the adoption. If you’re ready to adopt, our adoption counselors will process your adoption and adoption fee virtually. Our adoption fees are cashless and touchless. You will be asked to submit your adoption fee via a secured payment processing link located on our website. We accept all major credit and debit cards.
  7. Take home your new friend. Once this virtual adoption process is complete, you’re all set and ready to start a new journey with your best friend. We’ll be here for you post-adoption, too. If you ever have any questions, visit our pet parent resources page.

Adoption Fees

Each animal’s adoption fee is listed on their individual page. Our adoption fees vary for each animal and help support our mission and animals who are still waiting for homes. The cost for us to care for our animals prior to adoption almost always exceeds an animal’s adoption fee. Our varying adoption fees help us ensure we can continue to care for animals in great need, including those who require extensive rehabilitation and/or are in our care for an extended period of time.

Our adoption fees are designed to ensure that we are able to provide necessary care for all of our animals — especially those who need more time and care before they’re available for adoption.

While adoption fees do vary from animal to animal, and we recommend you look at the animal’s biography page for their specific adoption fee, below is a rough guideline on our fees:

  • Kitten under 1 year old: $175
  • Cats 1 year and older: $75
  • Puppies under 1 year old: $375
  • Small dogs less than 30 pounds: $375
  • Adult dogs 1 year and older and more than 30 pounds: $175

Notes Regarding Adoption

  • The Atlanta Humane Society reserves the right to refuse adoption to anyone for any reason.
  • Adopters will be asked to complete a pre-adoption application.
  • Adopters must be at least 18 years old with a valid picture I.D.
  • If you lease or rent, you will be asked to receive permission from your landlord or the primary resident prior to adoption. The Atlanta Humane Society reserves the right to contact your landlord for verification.

Meet Joey, an adoptable dog at Atlanta Humane.