Pet adoption is the process of transferring responsibility for a pet that was previously owned by another party such as a person, shelter, or rescue organization. Common sources for adoptable pets are animal shelters and rescue groups. Some organizations give adopters ownership of the pet, while others use a guardianship model wherein the organization retains some control over the animal's future use or care.

Online pet adoption sites have databases, searchable by the public, of pets being housed by thousands of animal shelters and rescue groups.

 Adopt

Why should you adopt? There are countless reasons why adopting a pet from a shelter versus purchasing a pet from a breeder or another source is better for you and the overall pet population.

You’ll change a life. You’ll get a healthy, vet-checked pet. You’ll save money. You won’t be supporting puppy mills or pet stores. The pet will be behavior assessed. Depending on their background, the pet may already be trained and know basic commands. You’ll receive ongoing assistance as needed from the shelter. You'll feel better.

Bringing a new pet into your life is a big decision, and when you adopt, you're giving a loving pet the second chance it deserves — and freeing up shelter resources to help other pets in need. The Animal Rescue League is here for animals that have nowhere else to go. They arrive here for a variety of reasons, but they're all looking for the same things: love, security and a family of their own. Adoption is an act of love — and that's where you come in.

Before adoption

Animals are placed up for adoption for numerous reasons like being abandoned, lost, or rehomed from their current family. The need for rehoming sometimes results from allergies, death of a pet-owner, divorce, the birth of a baby, or relocation.

Pets that have been abandoned or lost often face hunger, weather, and traffic and enter adoption shelters in need of medical attention before entering the adoption process. After medical examinations, treatments, and behavioral tests, adoption centers (at their discretion) determine if the pet is healthy enough for adoption.