Adopt
Are you ready to adopt?
What to expect:
Upon entering the shelter, you will be greeted by a staff member. They will invite you to walk around and look at the animals we have available for adoption. If you are looking for any particular kind of pet, please talk to a staff member to see if we have any animals that might be a good fit. We take into consideration factors such as: kids, level of activity, your experience owning pets, other animals currently in the home, etc.
When you find an animal you are interested in and would like to visit with, please let staff or volunteers know. You will then have the opportunity to spend time with the animal in one of our private visiting rooms. We believe that bringing a new animal into your home is a very important decision. Therefore, plenty of time will be given to visit with the animal(s) to ensure you are making the right decision and do not feel rushed. Staff and volunteers will be available through this time to answer any questions you may have.
If you find an animal you would like to become your new family member and decide to move forward with adoption, an adoption counselor will begin the adoption process!
What does adoption process entail?
Step 1: You will fill out a survey.
Step 2: Staff will discuss how to best introduce the animal into your home.
Step 3: Our adoption contract will be reviewed with you.
Step 4: You will pay the adoption fee.
Step 5: You will take your new family member home with you!
Adoptions are done on a first come, first served basis in person at the shelter.
Our adoption fees:
| Felines | |
|---|---|
| Kittens* | $175 |
| Adult Cats | $75 |
| Senior Cats** | $50 |
| Canines | |
|---|---|
| Puppies* | $450 |
| Adult Dogs | $350 |
| Senior Dogs** | $225 | Forget Me Not | $200 |
| Critters | |
|---|---|
| Mice | $5 |
| Rat, Hamsters & Gerbils | $10 |
| Guinea Pigs | $15 |
| Rabbit, Intact | $35 |
| Rabbits, Spay/Neutered | $75 |
| Birds | (Varies by species) |
**6 years or older
Adopting
Adopters must be 18 or older and show a photo ID with current address. Renters, please bring a copy of your lease showing you are allowed to have animals.
All adoptions include the spay or neuter, microchip, all vaccinations needed up to adoption, heartworm test (dogs 7 months and older), FIV/FeLV test (cats 6 months and older) and a free vet wellness check.
A coupon good for $20 off of an eligible 6 week Tails Obedience Class is included as an adoption benefit for puppies and adult dogs (not included for senior dogs) making the training course just $105! Learn more about our training program here.
Please note: DeKalb County requires that all residents have a current DeKalb County Rabies Tag for each dog and cat over 4 months old. The county fee will be required at the time of adoption and Tails will issue the Rabies Tag. The fee is $20 for a one year tag or $52 for a 3 year tag, based on the vaccine given.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any requirements for adoption?
In order to adopt, staff will need to see a driver’s license or state ID. If you rent, we will need to see a lease to verify that you can have an animal where you live. Some form of payment will be required, we accept cash, VISA, MasterCard and Discover. We do not accept personal checks.
Am I allowed to bring my current pet in to meet the animal I’m interested in adopting?
If you have a dog already, we do like to have them meet your potential Tails adoptee (please bring proof of current vaccination status). If weather permits, introductions are done outside on leash. You must visit with the Tails dog and decide you want to adopt before we will introduce him/her to your current dog. We ask that you don’t bring your own dog inside, instead come into the shelter and ask staff if we can introduce the dogs to each other. A staff member will come outside with the Tails dog to introduce them. Please don’t bring your cat or other pets to Tails. Instead, we’ll explain how to properly introduce them in your home to a newly adopted pet.
Can we take the animal home the same day?
Yes! After completing the adoption process animals can leave the shelter that same day. Keep in mind cats are required to go home in carriers and we don’t provide leashes for the dogs. We do have these items for sale.
How long does the adoption process take?
On average, the adoption process last 30 minutes. However, be prepared to spend at least an hour or longer in the shelter
