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Before You Adopt
Adoption Process | What to bring when adopting | Adoption Fees | Adoption Forms
Finding the perfect pet for your home means planning ahead. Our Adoption Counselors are happy to work with you to determine your preferences and lifestyle to ensure that you have realistic expectations about your new family member. Please consider the following before you adopt a dog, cat, or rabbit.
- Your lifestyle
- The age of the animal
- How much the animal may shed
- Keeping the animal indoors
- Positive obedience training
- Whether there are children in the home, and their ages
Adoption Process
- Adoption Application - You can fill out our online adoption form or you may come in to our Animal Community Center in Milpitas or our PETCO Satellite Adoption Center in San Jose and fill out an adoption form in person.
- Visit the Animal Community Center - Walk through our adoption galleria, read the Pet Portfolios. Each animal has one on his/her apartment. The card has the animal's age, gender, breed, and a biography.
- Get their ID Numbers - If you see any animals you are interested in, write down their ID number(s) (example: #12345).
- Meet with an Adoption Specialist! - Review your adoption application, talk about your interests and expectations, and review all the information about the animal(s) you've chosen.
- Meet the Animals One-on-One! - Come back to the adoptions desk and an Adoption Counselor will take you to an acquainting area and introduce you to the animal(s) you have selected.
- Finalize the Adoption! - When you do find the right pet, an Adoption Counselor will finalize the adoption and review behavior and health topics, giving you helpful information about your new family member.
What to bring when adopting
- Landlord approval (if applicable)
- All members of the household including children
- Identification and proof of address (driver's license, ID, checkbook)
- Cash, MasterCard, Visa, imprinted check, or HSSV gift card
- Your current dog if you are planning on adopting a new dog
- A transport carrier for a cat, rabbit, or pocket pet
Adoption Fees
Humane Society Silicon Valley is an independent, nonprofit organization. We rely mainly on Adoption Fees, Revenue from the Shelter Pet Supply Store and Donations for our support and continued service to the community.
- $175 for Dogs, Cats, Puppies, and Kittens
- $70 for Rabbits
- $40 for Guinea Pigs*
- $20 for Hamsters or Rats*
- $10 for Mice*
- $275 Bonded pairs dogs/cats (2 cats/kittens or 2 dogs adopted at the same time)
- $110 Bonded pairs rabbits (2 rabbits adopted at the same time)
- $55 Hold Fee (Applicable only after completion of an adoption appointment and approval for adoption)
* Available at our Petco Satellite Adoption Center only.
Below is a comparison of the Adoption Fees we charge and what you might pay for a "FREE" pet.
| EXPENSES |
FREE |
ADOPTED |
| Initial Adoption Fee |
Free |
$175 |
| ID TAG |
$10 |
Included |
| Spay/Neuter Surgery |
$25 - $175 |
Included |
| Heath Exam (general health/behavior evaluation) |
$25 - $40 |
Included |
| Microchip |
$30 - $50 |
Included |
| Initial Vaccinations (FVRCP/Cats; DHLPP/Dogs) |
$10 - $28 |
Included |
| Canine Bordetella Vaccine (For most Dogs) |
$12 - $20 |
Included |
| Rabies Vaccination |
$12 - $20 |
Included |
| De-worming (animals under 4 months) |
$12 - $20 |
Included |
| Adoption Counseling |
$20 - $50 |
Included |
| Educational Resources |
$10 - $50 |
Included |
| Follow-up Support |
N/A |
Included |
| Excellent Customer Service |
N/A |
Included |
| TOTAL COSTS |
Up to $423 |
$175 |
Adoption Forms
Are you ready to get started? Choose the type of animal you would like to adopt.
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