Pet Adoptions

Adoption Process

How to Adopt:

  1. View Animals Online
    View our currently available cats and dogs online by clicking the Available Cats or Available Dogs links from the CCAS homepage. These lists of animals are updated automatically as animals are moved throughout our building. If you see an animal you are interested in, please take note of the animal's NAME and Pet ID for completing the Adoption Application. Please make sure to spell the animal's name correctly on your application.

  2. Fill Out an Application
    Fill out the Adoption Application below for the animal you chose. Remember to include the animal's name and Pet ID.

    Click here for the Online Adoption Application form

    Click here to download and print the Adoption Application form

    If you are forced to use the printable adoption application, scan the completed application, attach it to an email and send it to adoptCCAS@chathamcounty.org. You MUST put the animal's correctly-spelled name and Pet ID in the subject line of the email, or we will not be able to process the application. Clear cell phone pictures of the application pages are acceptable.

    Adoption Center staff will receive and process applications in chronological order. Please allow 24-48 hours for staff to get back to you regarding your application.

  3. Speak with Adoption Center Staff
    You do not need to call to follow up on the status of a submitted application.

    Adoption Center staff will contact you via phone and/or email regarding your application as soon as possible. They will request any required supporting documentation to complete the application, then they will set the first available appointment for you to come to the Adoption Center to meet the animal you chose. Households with dogs and children may require additional visits.

    If other people have already applied for the animal you are interested in, Adoption Center staff will let you know, and you can opt to either wait to see if the animal becomes available again, or you may repeat the application process for a different animal.

  4. Meet the Animal
    Patrons are not currently permitted to visit the Adoption Center without an appointment set by Adoptions staff. Please monitor the Animal Services website for updates regarding Adoption Center status.

    When you arrive at the Adoption Center for your pre-set appointment, you will call the main number to inform us you have arrived. Adoption Center staff will come out to greet you, bring you into the building or to the appropriate adoption visit location, and show the animal to you. If you like the animal and wish to adopt, expect to bring the animal home from this visit.

    Households with dogs or children may require additional visits.

    Operation New Hope dogs
    Dogs participating in the Operation New Hope program are housed offsite. Adoption Center staff will contact applicants in the same manner outlined above, then applicant contact information will be relayed to the Operation New Hope Manager. The Manager will then set an appointment for applicants to visit their selected dog at the New Hope facility.

    Please note: adoption visits can only be performed on weekdays for Operation New Hope animals.

  5. Pay for and adopt your new pet!
    Please be prepared to meet and adopt your animal in the same visit. If you cannot take the animal home right away, all adoptions must be completed within 24 hours. Bring along a collar and/or harness, and leash for your potential dog, and an appropriately sized carrier for a cat.

    Adoption fees are $70 for dogs and $10 for cats. A $5 tag/license fee will be applied to Chatham County residents. Included items below:

    Included in Fees Vaccines Vouchers
    Dogs Distemper, Bordatella, Rabies vaccines, heartworm test, deworming, microchip Spay/Neuter voucher, heartworm treatment voucher if applicable
    Cats FVRCP, Rabies vaccines, FeLV/FIV test, deworming, microchip Spay/Neuter voucher
    Questions regarding the adoption process can be sent to adoptCCAS@chathamcounty.org