
Adopting a pet from an Animal Welfare Association can be a life-changing experience for both you and your new furry friend. With over 10,000 animals in shelters, the need for forever homes is great.
The adoption process typically takes around 30 minutes to an hour, allowing you to find your perfect match quickly. This is because Animal Welfare Associations have a vast network of shelters and foster homes, ensuring that you'll find the right pet for you.
You'll have the opportunity to interact with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, and even small mammals like rabbits and guinea pigs. This will help you determine which pet is the best fit for your lifestyle and living situation.
Adoption Process
The Adoption Process at Animal Welfare Association is designed to ensure a smooth and successful adoption experience for both you and your new furry friend.
All dogs and puppies come spayed or neutered, dewormed, and treated for fleas.
You'll also receive personalized adoption counseling to ensure you're adopting the right dog for your lifestyle.
The adoption process includes a series of vaccinations, with the first one completed by the Animal Welfare Association and the rest to be completed by your veterinarian.
Puppies will also receive their first rabies vaccination if they're older than four months.
Every dog and puppy is microchipped with a unique ID, and registration is included in the adoption.
You'll need to purchase a metal buckle collar or martingale collar, a non-retractable leash, and an ID tag from the AWA ReTail Shop.
Heartworm preventative must also be purchased at the time of adoption.
Here's a list of what you'll need to bring with you on adoption day:
- A valid government-issued ID
- Proof of current address
- Information about your home and yard
- Any other relevant information about your lifestyle and living situation
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect furry companion and creating a happy and healthy home for them.
Volunteering and Fostering
If you're interested in helping animals in need, there are several ways to get involved with the Animal Welfare Association.
You can become a volunteer, which allows you to contribute your time and skills to support the organization's mission.
Fostering a pet is another option, providing a temporary home for an animal until it's adopted.
The P.A.W.S. Program is also available, which allows you to participate in animal care and socialization.
Hosting a fundraiser is a great way to support the organization financially, and can be a fun and creative experience.
Tales with Tails is a program that brings animals and people together, often in a fun and educational way.
Here are some ways to get involved:
- Become a Volunteer
- Foster a Pet
- P.A.W.S. Program
- Host a Fundraiser
- Tales with Tails
Cats and Kittens
If you're considering volunteering or fostering, one of the most rewarding experiences is adopting a cat or kitten.
All cats and kittens available for adoption are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations, and flea-treated.
They're also dewormed and microchipped, with rabies vaccination if they're over four months old.
You'll have the opportunity to meet with adoption counselors who can help you find the perfect companion.
They'll provide you with free, unlimited post-adoption behavior support to help your new pet thrive in their forever home.
You'll need to make sure your new cat or kitten has a suitable carrier, safety collar, and ID tag to take home with them.
Dogs and Puppies
Dogs and puppies at AWA are well-prepared for their forever homes. They are spayed or neutered, up-to-date with vaccinations, treated for fleas, and microchipped with registration included.
Puppies will need follow-up vaccines through your veterinarian, so it's essential to plan ahead for those appointments. Each dog is adopted after personalized counseling to ensure a good match with your lifestyle.
All dogs and puppies come identified with a unique microchip. Registration is included in the adoption.
Here are the details of what you can expect when adopting a dog or puppy from AWA:
- Spayed or Neutered
- Dewormed (often the first in a series of treatments that should be completed by the adoptive family)
- Treated for fleas
- Up-to-date with vaccinations (for puppies, the first in a series of vaccinations that should be completed by the adoptive family through their veterinarian)
- Vaccinated for rabies (if older than four months of age)
- Microchipped
- Adopted after personalized adoption counseling
- Adopted with free, unlimited post-adoption behavior support
All dogs must go home wearing a metal buckle collar or martingale collar, a non-retractable leash and an ID tag, which can all be purchased at the AWA ReTail Shop.
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Volunteer/Foster
If you're looking to make a difference in the lives of animals, volunteering and fostering are great ways to start.
You can become a volunteer, which is a fantastic way to gain experience and make new friends.
Fostering a pet is another option, allowing you to provide temporary care and love to animals in need.
AWA's P.A.W.S. Program is a unique opportunity to care for animals with special needs.
If you're looking to raise funds for AWA, hosting a fundraiser is a great way to do so.
Tales with Tails is a fun program that brings therapy animals to visit schools and hospitals, providing comfort and joy to those in need.
Here are some ways to get involved:
- Become a Volunteer
- Foster a Pet
- P.A.W.S. Program
- Host a Fundraiser
- Tales with Tails
Guidelines
At the Animal Welfare Association, they take a thoughtful approach to matching animals with their forever homes. To ensure a great match, they may decline an adoption if they believe the pet isn't the right fit or if the adopter doesn't meet their adoption criteria.
The criteria include being at least 18 years old, as they won't adopt to anyone under that age. They also have a zero-tolerance policy for adopters under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the visit.
They care for a high number of animals, so they can't guarantee that every listed pet will be available when you visit. They also can't hold animals via phone, fax, or email, so it's best to visit in person.
Here are the key things to keep in mind before visiting the Animal Welfare Association:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
They strive to create a judgement-free adoption process, but they do reserve the right to not place a pet in a home based on the information they have or if they feel the pet is not a match for the person's lifestyle.
Pets for Patriots
The Pets for Patriots program is a wonderful initiative that connects veterans and service members with at-risk shelter pets. AWA partners with Pets for Patriots to make this happen.
Eligible pets are over 2 years old, have special needs, or are a dog over 40 pounds. This ensures that pets in need find a loving home.
Veterans who adopt through this program receive a $150 gift card for pet supplies. This is a thoughtful gesture to help new pet owners get started.
Free ID tags and flea/tick prevention are also included, making it easier for veterans to care for their new pets.
For more insights, see: Animal Shelter Assistance Program Asap
Eligibility and Fees
If you're considering adopting a furry friend from the Animal Welfare Association, you'll want to know about the adoption fees. Dogs six months and older cost $300.00.
The adoption fee for adult small or toy dogs under 25 pounds is $425.00.
If you're a senior yourself, you're in luck - the Animal Welfare Association offers a Seniors for Seniors program that waives adoption fees for eligible pets.
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Fees
Adoption fees can add up, but knowing what to expect can help you plan.
Dogs six months and older cost $300.00 to adopt.
Adult small or toy dogs, weighing under 25 pounds, cost $425.00 to adopt.
These fees are set to help cover the costs of caring for the animals until they find their forever homes.
Eligible Seniors Pets
If you're a senior looking to adopt a pet, you'll be happy to know that some eligible seniors' pets have their adoption fees waived under the Seniors for Seniors program.

These pets can be found at the Adoption Center, where you can visit with them or fill out an adoption application to bring them home.
The Seniors for Seniors program is a great way to find a new furry friend, and with waived adoption fees, it's a more affordable option for seniors.
To visit with these eligible pets or adopt one, simply fill out an adoption application and come in during the Adoption Center hours.
Additional reading: Miami-dade Animal Services Pet Adoption & Protection Center
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 3-3-3 rule for adoption?
The 3-3-3 rule for dog adoption outlines a general timeline for a new dog's transition: 3 days to calm down, 3 weeks to adjust, and 3 months to form a strong bond. Understanding this rule can help you prepare for a smoother adoption experience.
Does it cost money to adopt from PetSmart?
Yes, there is an adoption fee, which includes various services such as testing, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering. The fee ranges from $100 for a single pet to $150 for a pair.
What disqualifies you from adopting a pet?
Adoption disqualification may occur due to factors such as low income, which may impact your ability to provide for a pet's specific needs. Reviewing the adoption process and requirements can help you understand what may disqualify you
What happens to shelter dogs that are not adopted?
Shelter dogs that aren't adopted may be euthanized if they run out of space or are deemed unadoptable. Their stay in the shelter depends on its size and adoption demand
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