Adoption Process

A citizen should visit the shelter and choose an animal that is available for adoption.  Every family member living in the residence is required to visit the animal to ensure a good match is made.  Once a specific animal has been decided upon, an application for adoption must be completed and submitted to shelter staff.  All applications take, at minimum 24 hours to process.  You will be asked to think about your adoption decision overnight and call back the following morning to advise us of your final decision.  Once the staff has approved your application to adopt, we will call you and set up an appointment to have your pick up your new animal.

View our Policy for responsible adoptions.

Adoption Fees

The fee for adopting a dog is $35.  The fee for adopting a cat is $25. Additional fees may apply depending on what treatments the animal has received at the shelter.

All animals are spayed or neutered before being adopted. The fees for this vary by gender and size of the animal, and are generally listed on the website and on the animal's information card at the Center.

Your animal license is free for the first year when adopting an animal if you are an Iowa City resident.

Adoption fees for dogs include include: distemper/parvo vaccination, microchip identification, ear clean, nail clip, flea bath and topical flea control if needed, wormer, and animal care package.

Adoption fees for cats include: distemper/Rhinotracheitis, leukemia vaccination, microchip identification for animals large enough, ear clean, ear mite medication when necessary, feline leukemia saliva screening test, nail clip, flea bath and topical flea control if needed, wormer, and animal care package.