Our Adoption Center is open for walk-in visitors Monday-Saturday 2:00pm-4:30pm. We strongly encourage all parties interested in adopting fill out an online adoption application 48 business hours prior to visiting. This will allow us to speed up the adoption process and potentially send your new pet home with you the same day as your visit! Adoption appointments are required for approved adopters. We do not place holds on shelter pets, so becoming pre-approved will help prevent you from missing out on the pet you’d like to adopt.
Keep scrolling below the animal profiles to see How to Adopt, Adoption Fees, Adoptions Include, and Adoption Center Guidelines & Guest Expectations.
How To Adopt
- View our adoptable pets on our website and Facebook page: Adopt a Dog or Adopt a Cat & Facebook Page
- Apply to adopt on our website and indicate which animal(s) you are interested in when prompted on the online application. Please only apply if you are hoping to adopt a pet in the next week: Click Here to Apply!
- Wait patiently as a Humane Society staff member processes your adoption application. This usually takes 1-2 business days, but may take longer. We will call you and set up a specific time for you to visit the shelter and meet the animal(s) you are interested in. Please note that not all adoptable pets live at the Humane Society because they are in a foster home. To ensure the pet you want to meet is at the shelter, an appointment is required so we can arrange for the foster to bring the pet to the shelter at the same time as your appointment.
- At the appointment time you’ll be able to meet our adoptable pets. If it’s a match, you’ll take your new adoptable pet home the same day!
- All animals must be transported home in a safe and legal manner. Bring a collar and standard leash (no retractable leashes) or a secure pet carrier. We have cardboard cat carriers, leashes, collars, and harnesses for sale at the shelter.
- During the adoption appointment you will sign the adoption placement agreement, receive copies of the animal’s vaccinations and other medical procedures and pay the adoption fee. We accept cash, credit, and debit. Personal checks will not be accepted.
Adoption Fees
- Adult Dogs (1-6): $150.00
- Puppies (under 1 year): $250.00 includes a training voucher to help your new pup build a great foundation for future success
- Senior Dogs (7+): $50.00
- Cats (1-6 years old): $75.00
- Kittens (under 1 year old): $100.00
- Cats (7+ years old): Waived Fee/Donation Only
- Cat Lady Café Cats & Kittens: $125.00*
- Veteran’s Adoption Special via Honoring Vets – Helping Pets program: Adoption fees are waived for Veterans, Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard Members with an approved application and valid military or veteran ID. Cats/kittens adopted through the Cat Lady Café are excluded from this program.
- Adopt-A-Buddy: Adopt the first cat or kitten for the regular adoption fee listed above and the second adoption fee will be waived. This adoption deal is only valid for cats/kittens going home together the same day. Other restrictions may apply.
*Adoption specials, adopt-a-buddy, and Pets for Patriots does not apply to cats/kittens adopted through the Cat Lady Café.
Pocket Pets
- Rat/Hamster/Mouse/Gerbils: $15.00
- Guinea Pigs: $25.00
- Altered Rabbits: $50.00
- Intact Rabbits: $25.00
- Chinchilla: $75.00
- Parakeet: $20.00
- Before adopting a Pocket Pet, you will be asked to provide proof of an appropriate cage. This can be a picture of the cage or you can bring it to your adoption appointment. Most Pocket Pets are not spayed or neutered, micro-chipped or vaccinated. Pocket pets do not require a pet license.
Barn Cat Program
The Barn Cat program places healthy cats that aren’t suitable as pets in environments where they can flourish, working alongside humans to control rat and mice populations. Working cats can be placed successfully in barns, construction companies, police stations and other businesses looking for inexpensive and effective rodent control. This program is in partnership with The Meow Mission.
The Barn Cat program offers a safe home and better life to cats that wouldn’t otherwise be candidates for adoption, including:
- Cats who are inconsistent with using the litter box and would do well in an indoor/outdoor environment
- Cats who react negatively to routine handling by people and would not do well as a house cat
Working cats are often most successful when adopted in groups of two or three. Adopters must agree to provide:
- A warm, safe shelter like a barn or shop to keep the cat protected from the elements
- Food and clean water every day
- Future medical care if needed
- A way to keep the cats contained for 2-3 weeks to acclimate to new surroundings
If you or somebody you know are interested in this life-saving program, contact one of our Shelter Operations Manager Megan at (574) 255-4726 ext 6 or email her at [email protected]!
Adoptions Include
Your new pet is spayed or neutered, microchip, current on age-appropriate vaccinations, heartworm disease tested (canines), Felv tested (felines 6 months+). You will also receive an adoption kit and copies of the adoption contract and the pet’s medical records. Adopters are encouraged to take their new pet for an overall health exam at their veterinarian’s office within 7 days of after adoption. Most pocket pet and farm animals are not spayed/neutered.
Adoption Center Guidelines & Guest Expectations
Welcome! To ensure a safe, positive, and Fear Free experience for our animals, guests, and staff, we kindly ask that all visitors observe the following guidelines:
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Be kind and respectful. Please treat all animals gently. No tapping on glass, hitting, running, yelling, or sudden movements that could startle or stress our pets.
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Please be patient. Our dedicated staff care for hundreds of animals and assist many community members each day. We appreciate your understanding as we work to connect you with the right animal.
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No outside food or drinks are permitted in the Adoption Center.
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All visitors age 18 and older must sign a liability waiver before entering any animal areas.
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Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The accompanying adult must sign the liability waiver on the minor’s behalf, and children must remain with their parent/guardian at all times in the same animal area.
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Capacity limits are in place in certain animal areas to maintain a Fear Free environment. Visit times may be limited to reduce stress on our pets and to allow other guests an opportunity to visit.
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Dog playtimes are reserved for approved adoption applicants with a scheduled appointment.
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When staffing and time allow, guests without an appointment may complete an adoption application and visit with up to two dogs for no more than 20 minutes.
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Please follow all staff instructions to help ensure everyone’s safety and a positive experience.
OFF-SITE ADOPTION PARTNERS
Visit our adoption partners at one of these locations to see additional adoption pets.
PETSMART
You may see a few of our adoptable felines at Petsmart one Saturday a month from 12:00pm-3:00pm at 4540 Grape Rd., Mishawaka IN. PetSmart adoption day dates will be posted on our Facebook page.
Cat Lady Café
- Visit the Cat Lady Café website and schedule a reservation. All visitors wanting to go into the cat lounge and visit with the café cats must have a pre-scheduled, paid reservation.
- If you fall in love with an adoptable café cat, you will be directed to fill out an adoption application on the Humane Society’s website. You will be prompted on the adoption application to indicate which cat(s) you are interested in adopting.
- Once processed & approved, a Humane Society representative will contact you to go over your application and set up a time to meet back at the Cat Lady Café to adopt.
