Adoption information

Thank you for considering adoption! Whether you’re an experienced pet parent or a newbie, we’d love to help you find your match.

How do I adopt?

You must be at least 18 years old, but can live anywhere– even out of state!
Before adopting, please ensure everyone in your household is on board! If you rent, be sure you understand your pet policies.
Preview animals here or stop in as there are often animals in our shelter not yet on our site!
If an animal is “In Foster,” contact us to arrange how to meet. If at “Tiny Lions,” you can meet them at our cat café during open hours!
Bring your driver’s license or other government-issued ID with proof of address, and plan on spending an hour with us.
To visit an animal, complete a questionnaire (some call it an application) on your preferences, expectations and experiences.

Most adoptions happen same day, but if you’re unsure, you can place a 24-hour hold (1 per family) on a pet.
For everyone’s health and safety, please do not bring your current pet(s) to the shelter. If you have a dog and wish to adopt another, we may require a dog-to-dog interaction, and we’ll arrange that separately.
Found your match? After completing adoption paperwork and any fee (see below), you’ll be sent home with lots of information… and your new friend! Dogs must go home on a leash; cats and critters in secure carriers. We have free starter items, or you can purchase in our Paws to Shop store (proceeds help the other animals in the shelter!).
We are always here to support you! As an adopter, you’ll have access to Petcademy, HSHV's Behavior Helpline, and more – and you can always return to our shelter. We want you to be in love!

Adoption benefits

Adopters are heroes! When you adopt, you are truly saving a life, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Adoption fees include:

spay/neuter surgery
24PetWatch microchip ID
current vaccinations (as age-appropriate)
rabies vaccination (4 months and older)
initial dewormer
initial flea/tick/heartworm preventative
feline leukemia test (kittens + cats)
heartworm test (adult dogs)
temperament tested (adult dogs)

Every adoption also comes with:

sample bag of food
A free trial of insurance by MetLife
discounted vet exam at the HSHV veterinary clinic
special offers by our corporate sponsors
access to Petcademy, expert text support and pet training videos
ongoing support including our behavior helpline, free to adopters

How much is adoption?

Adoption fees help offset the cost of the care of your animal (and sometimes others!) prior to being adopted. Thank you for your adoption fee! Don't forget to check out our adoption specials (some, like Gold Hearts animals, are free!)

Dogs

puppies up to 5 months old $395
small breed adult dogs 6 months and older $290
non-small breed adult dogs 6 months and older $205
senior dogs 8 years or older, any size $105
perfect pairs* adopt 1 regular fee, 2nd free
* Perfect Pairs are bonded and must be adopted together. Paired animals over 6 months old are adopt one at regular price, and the second adoption is free. Animals under 6 months are two regular adoption fees.
legacy dogs* variable
* Legacy: We provide valuable care and treatment for thousands of animals every year, and animals here do not have time limits. Some need an extraordinary amount of medical intervention and care. We help them by pricing animals in higher demand with a higher adoption fee. These animals leave a “legacy;” the money raised allows us to help us care for animals that stay here longer before they find loving homes.
pet of the week dogs 10% off that week
Gold Hearts dogs free

Fees for cats and dogs include spay/neuter surgery, up-to-date vaccines and microchip ID. While we strive to make sure our website reflects accurate pricing, we reserve the right to change prices without notice.

Cats

kittens up to 6 months old $150
adult cats age 6 months up to 8 years $115
senior cats 8 years or older $50
perfect pairs* adopt 1 regular fee, 2nd free
* Perfect Pairs are bonded and must be adopted together. Paired animals over 6 months old are adopt one at regular price, and the second adoption is free. Animals under 6 months are two regular adoption fees.
legacy cats* variable
* Legacy: We provide valuable care and treatment for thousands of animals every year, and animals here do not have time limits. Some need an extraordinary amount of medical intervention and care. We help them by pricing animals in higher demand with a higher adoption fee. These animals leave a “legacy;” the money raised allows us to help us care for animals that stay here longer before they find loving homes.
FeLV+ cats, Barn cats for those who qualify free
cats who are Pets of the Week 10% off that week
Gold Hearts cats Free

Other

ferrets, chinchillas $75
rabbits $60
guinea pigs $25
hamsters, rats, degus $20
birds, exotics, horses, farm animals individually priced; please call us for details
pets of the week 10% off that week

While we strive to make sure our website reflects accurate pricing, we reserve the right to change prices without notice.

Ready to meet your new friend?

Fill out the questionnaire (some call it an application) to let us know what you’re looking for and help us make that purrfect match!

Adoption application

Adopt FAQ

Are all animals posted on your website?

Our website is always up-to-date with animals ready for adoption; however, sometimes animals can be seen in our shelter before they’re ready and can be placed on hold after you visit with them. These animals might need to be spayed/neutered, for instance, and may not be able to go home with you same-day. This often happens with kittens and puppies; people see them in our shelter and start the adoption process before they’re ready! Point being: come in and see everyone!

What if I don’t see the animal I want?

Please keep checking! Things change daily at HSHV; one day we’ll have a rooster, the next, a Chocolate Lab puppy! You can also sign up for a Pet Alert email notification.

Do you ever have discounts or run specials?

Yes! Senior people can always adopt senior animals for free, our "Gold Hearts" animals are free, barn cat adoptions are free, and we offer discounts for those in the military... and more!

What’s your return policy?

While we hope to find you the ideal match, we understand sometimes it doesn’t work out. Please call our intake department at (734) 661-3528 or come in to discuss.If there are behavior issues you'd like to try to work on first, we'd love to help you!

I’m a new adopter; what should I know?

Congratulations on your new friend! Your adoption packet has lots of information, and you can find copies of all of it here.

I adopted; how can I share my story?

Hooray! Thank you for adopting! Please share your adoption story; you might inspire others to take the selfless act you did, too!

Adoption specials

Don't let an adoption fee keep you from adopting! We offer regular discounts and occasional specials on adoption fees to give every human and animal the best shot of finding their perfect match.