What is your adoption process?
Step 1 – Visit our Adoption Center to see our adoptable animals.
- You can check out our available animals online or in person at our Adoption Center during operating hours. Our website is always updated with animals ready for adoption.
- We offer adoptions on a first-come, first-served basis, which means no appointment is needed!
Step 2 – Meet and spend some time with the animal you are interested in.
- Meet the animal you are interested in, and spend some time getting to know each other! Our Adoption Counselors will help you navigate any questions and help you with your decision process.
- If an animal is listed in a foster home, contact us so that we can schedule a meet and greet with the foster caregiver.
Step 3 – Bring home your new best friend!
- Our Adoption Counselors will help you finalize the adoption process, answer any questions, and give you the information you’ll need to transition your new pet into your home successfully.
- Your new pet can go home with you the same day! We will send you a starter kit of things you might need, including food, an ID tag, favorite toys, a collar, a microchip, spay/neuter, and up-to-date vaccines.
Step 4 – Keep in touch.
- Our journey together doesn’t end with adoptions. It’s only just the beginning! We are here to help you throughout your pet’s life! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out. You can also take advantage of our Pet Care & Training resources!
- We welcome you to share your Happy Tail or make a difference in the lives of animals still waiting for new homes by volunteering or donating.
Where can I find a list of your available animals?
- Our website is always up to date. Once an animal is adopted, they are removed. As soon as an animal becomes available, it is added.
- If you are not finding what you want, consider adopting from our Pet Re-Homing Listing. Please contact the owners directly to schedule a time to chat about your possible new furry family member!
- If you are looking for a specific breed or type of animal, fill out our Pet Request Form. We will do our best to notify you if your request becomes available.
When can I visit your Adoption Center?
You can visit our Adoption Center anytime during normal operating hours, and we do not require an appointment.
Our Adoption Center is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. We are closed for lunch daily from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
We are happy to counsel adopters on how to properly acclimate new pets into a home with existing pets. If our staff have the availability, we would be happy to schedule a meet and greet but often times doing an introduction with our counseling staff works best! Having your resident dog come meet a new dog at our adoption center can be a stressful experience and is not always the best indicator how two dogs will interact in a home environment. Note that we are unable to hold dogs for a meet and greet.
What are your adoption fees?
Dogs
- Puppies (younger than 6 months old) – $200
- Adult Dogs (less than 30 pounds) – $200
- Adult Dogs (over 30 pounds) – $100
Cats
- Kittens (younger than 6 months old) – $75
- Adult Cats (older than 6 months old) – $40
- Cats are always ‘adopt one, get one” meaning you can bring a second cat home for no additional adoption fee!
Other Pets
- Small Critters (Birds, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Reptiles, etc.) – $20
Adoption Fee Discounts Available
- Two-Week Discount: Animals that have been waiting at the adoption center for over two weeks have a discounted adoption fee as low as $5 and up to $50.
- Seniors for Seniors: Waived adoption fees for senior citizens aged 65 years or older who adopt a pet aged 7 years or older.
- Veteran Discount: Waived adoption fees for veterans with proof of service.
- First Responders Discount: Waived adoption fees for firefighters, law enforcement personnel, medical personnel, utility workers and public health professionals with proof of employment or volunteer card.
- Education Professionals Discount: Waived adoption fees for teachers and administrators who are working in both public and private school sectors with proof of employment or volunteer card.
- Check our social media accounts for occasional special events and adoption promotions!
What is included in the adoption fee?
- Spay or neuter surgery
- Age-appropriate vaccinations
- Microchip
- Free exam by a participating veterinarian
- De-worming
- Heartworm test (dogs over 6 months)
- Current heartworm preventative
- Feline leukemia and FIV test (cats and kittens)
- One month of pet insurance offered by PetFirst
- Starter bag of food
- On-call training advice from our Behavior & Training Manager
- Digital adoption resources (printed items available)
How old do I need to be to adopt?
18 years old
Do you take cash, check, or credit card?
Credit or Debit is preferred, but we can take cash if necessary. We do not accept bills over $50
What do I need in order to bring my new pet home?
- All animals are required to have an ID tag when going home. We can provide one for you for $8, or you can bring your own (include your name, address, and phone number).
- All cats must have a breakaway or training collar when going home. You can purchase one at the time of adoption for $3.50.
- A carrier is required to take home your new cat. Dogs require a collar and leash to go home. Collars and leashes are available for purchase if needed.
Can I return an animal if it is not working out?
What can we do to help? We are happy to assist all of our adopters in transitioning a pet into their new home. However, we understand that circumstances vary, and there might be a need to find a home for different reasons. Contact us with any questions or concerns at help@blueridgehumane.org.
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsor
