Are you trying to find the best place to adopt in Philly? We’ll help you find the right place, understand the process, and be prepared for the costs.
What are the requirements to adopt a dog?
Adopting a cat or dog in Philadelphia, PA, is easy. But there are a few expectations and requirements. Each animal shelter, rescue, or humane society will have its own specifics, usually listed on its website. Below are some of the general guidelines you can expect to find when adopting a new pet.
You must be at least 18 years of age or older. Some animal shelters and rescues will require you to be older, like 21 or 25. But that should be listed on their website as well. And you’ll be expected to show a current valid ID.
You’ll have to pay the adoption fees. For pricing examples, check out the section about the cost to adopt a pet below.
Before adopting a cat or dog, you will do a “meet and greet” and spend a little time together to see if you and this pet would be a good match. It’s helpful to bring the whole family along — including other pets you already have — to see how everyone interacts with each other.
Some rescues and shelters will require a home visit before you can adopt your new cat or dog to make sure that your home is a suitable environment for taking care of your new pet.
How much does it cost to adopt a pet in Philadelphia?
These fees can vary based on the shelter or rescue organization. Always check with the specific organization for the most accurate information.
- Puppy: $250 - $500
- Dog: $150 - $350
- Kitten: $100 - $175
- Cat: $50 - $125
What is the best place to adopt a pet?
If you’re ready to begin the search for your new fur baby, let’s check out the best places to adopt a pet in Philadelphia, PA. Our list below comprises the top reputable animal rescues, shelters, and humane societies. And we’ve added an online resource that will help you find all of the available pets across the United States.
PetFinder.com
PetFinder.com is a great place to search online for adoptable dogs and cats, and it’s one of our favorite websites. This online resource helps you search for available pets throughout the US.
You can use their filter system to search by the area you live in, the species you want, your favorite breed or breed mix, gender, age range, and whether or not this pet is good with children or other cats and dogs. They’ll show you pictures of the pets and tell you which shelter this dog or cat is currently at, plus you’ll find a little bit about each one.
ACCT Philly
“ACCT Philly is the region’s largest animal care and control service provider, serving the City of Philadelphia by contract.” They offer adoption and foster programs, volunteer programs, and resources to help prevent owner surrender. They take in around 18,000 pets annually, including cats, dogs, small pets, reptiles, birds, and other wildlife. “ACCT Philly’s mission is to provide shelter, care, and life-saving efforts for homeless, abandoned, and abused animals and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Philadelphia.”
Pennsylvania SPCA
The Pennsylvania SPCA is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to “protect animals, prevent cruelty, and to improve the health and quality of life throughout Pennsylvania.” They have four physical locations throughout Pennsylvania: North Philadelphia, Danville, Lancaster, and Main Line Animal Rescue, “as well as through our Humane Law Enforcement Department, which covers 18 counties throughout the state.”
PAWS Philadelphia: Animal Welfare Society
PAWS was actually the founding member of the No-Kill Coalition—a “collective of animal welfare agencies working together to end the killing of savable pets in shelters.” PAWS is Philadelphia’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for rescue organizations and pet owners who couldn’t usually afford it. PAWS helps thousands of animals find new, loving homes every year. And they are “working to make Philadelphia a no-kill city where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.”
Morris Animal Refuge
The Morris Animal Refuge was founded by Elizabeth Morris in 1874. This nonprofit is “committed to adoption, education, and high-quality care with the goal of finding positive and humane outcomes for animals in need.” Over the years, they have cared for hundreds of thousands of pets and have “shaped the course of animal welfare in the United States.”
Become a pet parent today!
Now that you have all the information needed to adopt a pet in Philly, what are you waiting for? There are tons of excellent, loving pets that are ready for their new forever home. And we’ll be with you every step of the way.
At Local Pet Care, we’re here to help you find the best places to adopt, the best dog-friendly restaurants and dog parks in Philadelphia, and even to help you find the best local pet care professionals in your area. With all of these resources, you will be set up for pet parenting success!
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.