Adopt a Pet

View All Adoptable Pets

​​​​ ​

​​​Alachua County Animal Resources is a great place to visit when considering animal adoption. We aren’t just your local animal shelter, we will help you find the right pet and educate you on how to care for your new ​companion. Our pet adoption process is friendly and thorough, to ensure a lifetime of love and companionship. We are also always available to offer advice after you’ve taken your animal home.

All pets available for adoption receive basic health exams, tests and vaccinations. We require that all dogs and cats adopted from the shelter be spayed or neutered prior to going home.

​​​​​​​​All animals that are currently available for adoption at Animal Resources can be found at Adopt a Pet.

Adoption Fees

The Adoption Fee includes:

• Mandatory spay or neuter surgery (if needed)
• Rabies vaccination and County license tag
• First FVRCCP (cats) or DH2PPV/Bortadella (dogs)
• Veterinary Examination
• Heartworm or Feline Leukemia test
• De-worming​
  

Additional vaccines and follow-up medical care (if applicable) are the responsibility of the new owner.

Dogs & Cats

• Dog and puppy adoptions: $50
• Cat and kitten adoptions: $30
  
• Microchip Identification Implant: $20 (additional fees may apply)​
  
  

Other Adoptable Animals

We occasionally have other kinds of adoptable pets available. Check our available animals or call the shelter for more information. Adoption fees vary depending on what type of pet you wish to adopt.​​

​These figures do not show all of the fees for the many services we provide. Please call 352-264-6870 for more fee information.

Adoption Procedures

Applications are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Whoever meets the animal out of the kennel first is first in line to adopt….and so on. If others are ahead of you, we will notify you if you become first in line or if someone else adopts the animal. If you have requirements to meet, you will be given until the close of business the following day to complete them. If not completed, your application will expire and we will move on to the next potential adopter. If you are unable to adopt your first choice, we will hold your application on file for three months.

Once you have met your animal of choice out of the cage or kennel, you will complete an application and an adoption counselor will review it with you. However, if you are interested in adopting a puppy, you must have approved application prior to meeting the puppy out of the kennel.

Animal Adoption Requirements

Address Verification: A valid picture ID (driver’s license or Florida ID card) is required to complete an application. If your photo ID does not have your current address on it you must also show a bill or piece of mail that verifies your physical address.​

Animal Adoption Recommendations

Current Dog(s) Meeting
If you are adopting a second dog, we strongly recommend that both dogs meet each other in a staff-supervised meeting at the shelter. This is to see how they interact with each other to make sure they get along. Not all dogs like all other dogs; it’s better to find out before bringing the dog home. Some dogs at the shelter may have a dog meeting requirement, due to behavior observed or reported.

Can I have a pet where I live?
If you rent, check with your landlord or management office to confirm that pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions, such as weight limits, type and number of pets allowed, etc. If you live in a development with a Home Owners Association they also may have restrictions.It is best to check first.

Who should meet the animal?
We recommend that everyone in your home including all family members and/or roommates meet the animal so they all agree on size, breed, color, temperament, etc., and that no one is allergic. Even if the animal will belong solely to you, it will have an impact on each person, so everyone should be comfortable with the pet you’re bringing home.

Keeping up with Vet care and licensing
All pets 3 months and older residing in Alachua County are required to be vaccinated for rabies and licensed.Pets also require other vaccinations and need routine vet checks, monthly heartworm medication and flea and tick control to maintain their health and prevent illness.We recommend that you consider the annual cost of vet care prior to adoption.

Lost and Found Animals

Do you have a lost animal? View our "Lost & Found Pets" to see if we have yours in our shelter.

​

Are You Ready?

Be honest, ask yourself:

Run through these questions to be sure you are ready to adopt a pet.

1. Do I have enough time and enough energy to properly exercise and care for an animal?

Like most Americans, you probably work 8-12 hours per day. Is it fair to leave a social animal like a dog or cat alone that long? Dogs must be walked. Even cats, often labeled as fiercely independent, need company.

Will you be too tired when you come home from work to walk/pet/play/feed?

2. Can I afford routine and emergency veterinary care? Do I really know how much routine and emergency veterinary care can cost?

Talk to your veterinarian or Animal Resources in depth before adopting. Routine medical care can cost hundreds of dollars annually. Emergency care may create financial and emotional hardship. Are you ready to assume complete responsibility for this animals health and well-being? What will you do if your pet gets sick?

3. Am I prepared to take my animal with me if I move?

Again, your pets are part of your family. If your future is unstable - if you are in college or looking for a new job, for example, what will happen to your pet when you move? Are you committed to finding pet-friendly housing? "Moving" remains one of the most common reasons pet owners bring animals to the Shelter. Don't let your pet become one of those statistics!

4. Why do I want an animal?

Be honest with yourself. Don't make a spontaneous decision based solely on emotion or "cuteness factor." If you become unable to fulfill a commitment to your new pet, what will happen?

5. What type of animal is best for me?

Speak with the Humane Society or Animal Resources personnel to determine what type of animal is best for you. A popular myth, for example, is that small dogs make the best "house" pets. In reality, an animal's personality determines a suitable environment. Remember: your pet relies on you for food, shelter, care and companionship. If you're not home enough, it may not be the right time to adopt.

6. Am I ready for a puppy or a kitten or should I adopt an older animal?

All ages require training, time and patience, although some (not all!) adults may be calmer, less destructive and already house-trained. Puppies and kittens require house-training, of course! Contrary to popular belief, adult animals are very trainable. Give the adult animals a chance!