Dogs and cats available for adoption on any given day vary greatly in shape, size, age and breed (some are pure-bred, but most are mixed). The shelter staff screens each animal to make sure it doesn't have any obvious health or behavior problems before making it available for adoption.
You must be at least 18 years old to adopt a pet. Individuals must be adopting the pet for themselves, not as a gift or on behalf of someone else. An adoption application must be completed and reviewed by shelter staff.
The adoption fee must be paid in full at the time of the adoption, accompanied by a signed and dated adoption application.
We do not hold or board pets here - your new pet goes home with you when you complete the adoption process, unless the pet needs to be neutered or spayed. Pets needing to be neutered go to a veterinary clinic where you pick up the pet after the operation.
To Adopt an Animal:
- You need to fill out an application prior to looking at an animal.
- You need to download the fillable Animal Adoption Application located at the bottom of this page and
- Complete the application form and
- Click the button on the form when complete to email it to ac [at] ClatsopCounty.gov
We place pets with adopters who will provide indoor homes. We do not place pets into homes where they will live outdoors. We realize this may eliminate some potentially good and loving families from adopting through the shelter, but we are charged with the health and well-being of these pets.
In our experience dealing with neighborhood complaints, we know that the vast majority of barking dog complaints are made against animals that are outside, especially when their owners are away. The majority of the hundreds of stray dogs that come to us every year escaped from yards when their owners were away. Sadly, almost all the deceased or critically injured dogs our officers pick up on the roads were left alone outdoors.
A rare exception to this policy may be made for pets that might otherwise be unadoptable to an indoor home. Any exception is on a case by case basis and entirely for the benefit of the animal.
Adoption Fees:
- Dogs: $110 younger than 10 years old; $50 for 10 or older.
- Cats $75 younger than 10 years; $20 for 10 years or older.
- Bonded pair (emotional attachment to each other) available for single price.
Adoption fee includes:
- Spay/Neuter
- License for dogs
- Micro-chip
- Registration
- Heartworm, Leukemia & Immunodeficiency Virus Antibody test for cats
- 1-HCPCH+FeLV shot for cats
- 1-DAPPvL2+Cv shot for dogs
- Bronci-Shield Oral for dogs
- Training and behavior information packet
Procedure Steps:
Please have patience during this process.
- Pick out an animal you would like to meet and potentially adopt, either by going online (click here to view our current animals) or visiting the shelter and viewing available animals posted on the front door. After an animal is chosen, spend time with the pet.
- Fill out a 2-page adoption application (document also below under Supporting Documents).
- Then, make an appointment to meet the pet. Application must be submitted prior to appointment via email or in person completed before your appointment. If the application is not completed the appointment will be canceled.
- At the appointment, all members of household must meet the pet. For dog adoptions, all resident dogs must meet new pet.
- For dogs, an appointment for a home visit will be made. This is to help you have a successful adoption.
- After the home visit is completed and approved, an appointment will be made with the veterinarian to have your new family member spayed or neutered.
What to bring when adopting:
- Driver’s license or other official photograph identification
- Your dog or any dogs living in the household if you are planning to adopt another dog
- All family members/persons living in home
- Patience. This process takes time.
Have your home set up to accommodate your new pet before it arrives (fence repaired, cable run set up, etc.)
Adopt me!