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More Than a Best Friend

More Than a Best Friend

Adoption Process

Did one of our animals catch your eye? Here’s a glimpse into the Hand2Paw adoption process.

  1. Fill out an application for adoption. We love playing matchmaker! Our adoption application helps us get to know you and what you’re looking for in a pet. After you submit your application, a member of our staff will reach out and let you know if it seems like a paw-fect pairing, or if we have another pet who may be a good fit for you.
  2. Come meet your match! Once you’ve been matched with a pet, we’ll schedule an appointment for you to meet them. If you have small children or other pets, we may recommend a second visit to make sure they’re a good fit for your family.
  3. Get ready to bring your new friend home. If your visit goes well, we’ll give you a list of supplies you’ll need to help your new pet thrive at home. On adoption day, you must pay the adoption fee and any applicable city licensing fees. Then, you’re all set for a happy first “Gotcha Day”!

Adoption Fees

  • Cat (ages 6 months and older): $75
  • Kitten (under 6 months): $100
  • Dog (ages 1 year and older): $125
  • Puppy (under 1 year): $250
  • Rabbit: $95 (Adoptions processed by Luv-N-Bunns)
  • Guinea Pigs: $25/pair
  • Rats: $25/pair
  • Turtle: $25

Bonded Pairs and Buddies: When adopting a bonded pair or two cats, guinea pigs or rats, H2P will waive your second adoption fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

At this time, Hand2Paw allows visits by appointment only. After your adoption application has been approved, a member of our staff will help you schedule an appointment.

Cats: Before going home, all cats and kittens are:

  • Spayed or Neutered
  • Up to date on all age-appropriate vaccines.
  • Dewormed
  • Microchipped

Dogs: Before going home, all dogs and puppies are:

  • Spayed or Neutered
  • Up to date on all age-appropriate vaccines.
  • Dewormed
  • Microchipped

Rabbits: Before going home, all rabbits are:

  • Spayed or Neutered
  • Up to date on age-appropriate vaccines.

When you click on one of our animals, the “Apply to Adopt” button should appear below the animal’s photo. If you do not see this button, try disabling your ad blocker and refreshing the page.

No, you only need to submit one application per adopter/household. Let us know which animal(s) you’re interested in on your adoption form.  If you’re not sure which pet may be the best fit for your family, a member of our team can help you decide!

An application may be denied for a variety of reasons—for example, the animal you like may have recently been adopted, or they need more exercise than what you’re really up for. But don’t fret! We’ll let you know if we have another animal who might be a great match for you.

Due to our current visitation policy, we cannot guarantee that you can apply for, meet, and take a pet home all in one day. We will, however, do our best to make the process timely and stress-free.

Our staff will let you know which supplies you’ll need to purchase before bringing your new friend home. In general, you will need to bring a pet carrier for most animals and a collar for a dog or cat.

The perfect pet is more than adorable—they also make a great addition to your daily life.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when considering adoption:

  • Am I willing to take care of this pet for 10–20 years? (While the average lifespan of a rat is 2–3 years, some cats can live up to 20 years and older!)
  • Can I afford this pet? (After the adoption fee, costs will include vet visits, medication, food, toys, etc.)
  • How much time do I have for a pet? How often will my pet need to stay home alone?
  • Does this pet suit my current lifestyle? (Do you want a low-key couch potato, or an energetic travel companion? Is your ideal pet more snuggly or independent?)
  • Will my pet need to get along with children or other animals?
  • What upcoming changes might affect my ability to care for this pet? (A new job, moving, marriage, children, etc.)

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Owning a pet is a big responsibility.” It’s true! But when you do the research and find an animal that suits your time, energy, and love language, pet ownership can be much more enjoyable for you and your new companion.