Adopt a Pet

There is nothing more rewarding than adopting a new pet and finding your “forever friend.” To help guide you through the adoption process, please review the information below regarding costs, vaccinations, spay & neuter, and other requirements.

The Huntsville Animal Shelter is open Monday through Saturday for adoptions. Our hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

AVAILABLE PETS FOR ADOPTION IN THE HUNTSVILLE AREA

Search for Dogs and Cats

ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS & COST

Adopting parties must be 19 years of age or older and provide proof of identification. The adoption process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Please allow ample time to look for your new pet, visit with the animal, and complete all appropriate paperwork. A home visit may be required. Since pets much be spayed or neutered prior to adoption you may need to return to the shelter at a later day to pick up your pet if it has not already had its elective surgery.

Standard adoption costs are $35 – $50 for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. At peak housing times, the Shelter may run adoption specials with low to no-cost fees. These specials are advertised on our website and through social media. Restrictions and higher fees may apply to selected pets.

All adoptions include spay or neuter surgery (required by law), rabies vaccination and City license (required by law), and pet I.D. (in case your pet gets lost). Dogs will be checked for heartworms prior to adoption.

The Huntsville Animal Shelter accepts cash, local checks, debit and credit cards for payment. There is a small service fee applied when using debit or credit cards.

GENERAL HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS

All dogs and cats are given their appropriate vaccination and a broad spectrum de-worming upon entering into the shelter.

All adult cats and dogs and puppies and kittens at twelve weeks of age are vaccinated against the Rabies virus.

Spaying and neutering surgery is included with every adoption. There are no exceptions.

Any health issues such as hair loss, ear infections, fleas, heartworm infestation, intestinal parasites, lameness, arthritis are treated at the shelter.  Pets with long-term medical issues such as heartworm disease can be fostered-to-adopted meaning that the pet goes home with you, but returns at a later date for its actual heartworm treatment.  Some pets with chronic health issues such as skin allergies that may flare each spring must be managed by the new adoptive family.

Although our shelter pets’ health is not guaranteed, if your adopted pet becomes ill and treating the pet is cost prohibitive, email surrenderquestions@huntsvilleal.gov.  We may be able to provide assistance to help the pet receive the medical care it needs to recover.

Every pet that enters our shelter – even those that are vaccinated – are at an increased risk for developing a cold. Most of our pets experience mild to moderate clinical signs such as sneezing, coughing, runny eye, runny nose and a cough.  This is a common issue in animal shelters, like a cold spreading through a school.

If your foster pet has stopped eating, please email fosterquestions@huntsvilleal.gov.

RELATED LINKS: Foster a Pet