Find your new best friend.
Every dog and cat we rescue is cared for in a foster home and gets the veterinary care they need before adoption. Here’s everything to know about fees, policies and our application process.
- Spayed or neutered
- Vaccinated
- Microchipped
$100–$250
is our average adoption fee for cats and dogs, and sometimes up to $350 for select breeds and puppies.
Fees are based on the animal’s health, breed, age and the specific expenses of their care, and may be adjusted at our discretion so we can keep supporting every dog and cat we rescue. We’ll always tell you the fee for your pet during the adoption process. Adoption fees also help ensure thoughtful, committed adoptions so we can place animals in safe, lasting homes.
If you have not spoken to us, met the pet and been through our adoption process, do not pay the fee.
Only if you’ve completed our process and your Adoption Coordinator has told you to pay.
Every pet receives before adoption
Including kittens and puppies:
- Spaying and neutering
- Heartworm test and treatment, if needed
- FeLV testing for cats
- Bordetella, DHPP and rabies (dogs) / FVRCP and rabies (cats)
- Monthly flea and heartworm prevention and deworming
- Microchipping
Your adoption helps the next pet, too.
How your fee helps
Your fee covers only a fraction of what we spend on each animal. Adopting a pet, even one in good health, directly supports another pet who needs more intensive treatment, so every animal gets the care they need.
A circle of compassion
Your decision to adopt creates a ripple effect. It helps balance the scales for less fortunate pets and stretches our resources to help every animal in our care. We’re deeply grateful for your support.
Fees are non-refundable
If an adoption doesn’t work out, we will always take the animal back. Fees are non-refundable because they’re put to use right away for vet care, supplies, transport and daily care.
Helping every pet find a lifelong home.
These policies, including age guidelines, help adopters find their best match.
“6 Under 6”
Puppies and kittens are fragile, and until they’re trained they may scratch, nip and jump. Between ages 5 and 7, children learn empathy and are better able to treat pets properly.
- Puppies and kittens under 6 months are best matched with families whose youngest child is 6 or older, unless the puppy is a small breed.
- Small-breed puppies (under 30 lbs full-grown) and toy-breed adults (under 15 lbs) are best matched with families whose youngest child is 8 or older.
Employment
Adopters must be employed or show the financial capacity to care for a pet. For some breeds, like Persians, Munchkins or bulldogs, we also recommend pet insurance.
Single kitten
We don’t adopt out kittens under 6 months as an only cat. Kittens go home in pairs, or singly to a home with a young cat who can help socialize them. If you want just one cat and have no cat at home, please consider one of our adult cats.
Before you apply
Please review these questions before submitting your application. This step connects you with the pet’s foster parent, who went through this same process to join our volunteer team.
1Veterinary information
- I currently own, or have owned a pet in the past five years, and will provide the name and phone number of the vet clinic holding my pets’ most recent records.
- All of my pets are spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccinations (Bordetella, DAPP and rabies for dogs; FVRCP and rabies for cats) and on monthly flea and heartworm prevention.
- I have authorized my vet to share my pets’ records with New Hope Animal Rescue. I understand New Hope will try once to verify this with my vet.
- If New Hope can’t verify on the first attempt, I will have my vet email proof of my pets’ current status (rabies/DHPP, heartworm prevention, spay/neuter) to adoptions@NewHopeSavesLives.org.
- If I buy heartworm medication online, I can provide proof of purchase or have my vet verify it.
2Vet care for first-time pet owners
- This is my first dog or cat as an adult (not counting pets I grew up with). I have identified a local vet, am ready to establish my pet there, and have researched the monthly and annual care a new pet needs.
3Adopting a puppy or active young dog
- I have a detailed puppy care plan and ample time for interaction and training, including socialization, house and crate training, obedience training (positive reinforcement and puppy classes) and mental stimulation.
4Schedule and routine (dog adopters)
- I can go home right after work every day to keep a reliable routine and potty breaks, or I have a plan for days I can’t, which I’ll share with my adoption counselor. I understand my dog needs both quality and quantity time.
5Home (dog adopters)
- My home has a yard with a secure, well-maintained fence.
- NHAR does not allow doggy doors for dogs under 15 pounds, or pet doors if you’re adopting a cat.
- Apartments or other leases: I will email my management’s pet approval letter or pet lease agreement to adoptions@NewHopeSavesLives.org within 24 hours of applying, including any restrictions on pet age, weight or breed.
We can’t process your application until all of this information is provided.
Adoption fee FAQ
Why do we charge an adoption fee?
Adopting through a rescue costs less than buying a pet and paying for vaccines and spay/neuter yourself. Spaying or neutering alone can cost $150–$300, and wellness exams and vaccines can add $100 or more. We cover initial vet costs before adoption, and when needed we also pay for supplies, transport, surgeries, emergency grooming, heartworm treatment, boarding, training and more. Your fee helps cover these costs so we can save more animals.
How do I pay the adoption fee?
You can pay securely online on our Pay Adoption Fees page. Do not pay an adoption fee until we have told you to.
What if the adoption doesn’t work out?
We will always accept the return of the animal. Adoption fees are non-refundable, since they’re used right away for veterinary care, supplies, transport and the daily needs of animals in our rescue.
Don’t buy. Rescue!
Each year, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States, simply because not enough people spay and neuter or consider adopting when looking for a new pet. That number could drop dramatically if more people adopted or fostered.