There are no costs associated with the application process. Should you move forward with an adoption, there is an adoption donation required.

Cats: Cost is determined on a case-by-case basis dependent upon age, health, and needs of each cat. Base donation is $120.

Dogs: Cost is determined on a case-by-case basis dependent upon age, health, and needs of each dog. Base donation is $250.

Smaller Domestic Animals (fancy rats, rabbits, birds): Cost is determined on a case-by-case basis dependent upon age, health, and needs of each animal. Donation amount is variable.

Miniature Horses: Base donation is $300

Big Horses: A donation from $500 to $2000, depending on the level of training, age, use, show-ability, etc.

We require potential adopters to complete and submit an adoption & foster application. Please take a moment to read about the adoption process, and carefully fill out the adoption & foster application which can be found on this website. Because we are seeking the best match for our animals and for you, we consider all applications for a particular animal, and do not operate on a first-come-first serve basis. Applications are reviewed by our Adoption Committee as they are received.

Every effort is made to obtain a determination as quickly as possible, and many applications are processed in as little as 24 hours. Delays, when they do occur, are most often the result of missing or incomplete veterinary information. A volunteer will contact you as soon as your application has been reviewed to notify you whether the application has been accepted or to request further information. If approved, an appointment will be made for you to meet our available pets and to discuss all aspects of their care, especially including nutrition.

Submit the Application: Complete the application online by clicking the Online Application Form button below.

If your application is approved, we will then contact you to schedule a Meet-and-Greet with you and available animal(s) that you are interested in. If the potential adopter and pet are a good match, we are able to complete the adoption. If the animal is still too young to be spayed/neutered, we require a spay/neuter deposit. If Helping PAWS Pet Rescue coordinates the surgery with our preferred provider, we pay the balance of the surgical fee minus post-operative medication. If the surgery is completed by your veterinary office, the deposit is refunded upon proof of surgery. We typically recommend a cat neuter surgery between 3-5 months old and a cat spay surgery between 5-6 months old.

Because our commitment is to the wellbeing of our animals, we do what we can to work with adopters to ensure long-term success for both the animal and adoptive family. We recognize that even after adequate adjustment periods
(we recommend following the 3:3:3 rule), not all adoptions are good fits. If this occurs, we accept animals back into our rescue as long as we have room and the right environment for the animal. We then work to find them a successful home with another family.