Adoption

With as many as 150 dogs and cats available at any given time, the League is one of the largest companion animal adoption centers in the country. All of the animals receive full medical and behavioral evaluations, and our adoption staff is adept at working with people to ensure their new family member’s successful transition into a permanent, loving home.

How to adopt an animal

Step 1: Preparation for your visit…
Please bring a photo identification with proof of your current address. If your photo id does not have your current address, please bring a bill or a copy of your lease or mortgage statement as proof of your current address.

Step 2: Come visit the animals!
You may want to fill out an online Meet your Match survey before you come. It can help you make a decision on the right animal for your lifestyle. Be sure to discuss a new pet with other family members in the home to make sure they are all in agreement. You can also bring them with you to help pick out a new pet.

Step 3:  Talk to us!
Once you fill out the Meet Your Match survey—that can be done at the shelter, as well as online—an adoptions coordinator will determine what “color” you are. Your “color” is based on certain lifestyle preferences and matches the “color” of animals who would best fit that lifestyle. You may then go into the dog room or cat room to interact with the animals. There you’ll find adoptions staff and volunteer adoption counselors who can help you determine the status of an animal, as well as answer any questions you might have about the animal’s temperament and care requirements. Bear in mind, however, that some of the animals whom you meet were strays or surrenders to other shelters with unknown histories. Once you’ve selected a pet, you may fill out the flip side of the adoption application. At that time an adoptions coordinator will sit down with you to review your application, answer your questions, and help you determine if the pet you’ve chosen is a good match for your home.

Step 4: Homecoming!
If the animal is a good match for you, the next step is to take the animal home. Most of our animals are all ready to go home with you, so please come prepared with a leash and collar for a dog or a cat carrier for a cat. There will be paperwork to sign and an adoption fee to pay. (We only accept cash and debit/credit cards.) We will send you home with the animal’s medical records, microchip registration, and a 5-pound bag of dog or cat food to get you started.

What is our adoption fee and what does it cover?

Dogs:
Puppies (14 weeks and under): $250 plus $50 for mandatory puppy kindergarten class (a 50% discount for League adopters)
Purebred dogs:  $250
Mixed breed adult dogs:  $200
Mixed breed senior dogs (over 6):  $150
Pit bulls:  $150

As required by law, a $17 fee for a dog license will be added for dogs going to homes in the District of Columbia.

Cats:
Cat/kitten Adoptions:  $50

No adoption fee on the second cat when adopting two adults (six months or older).

Your new pet will have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. You will receive a 5-pound bag of Hill’s Science Diet food, the featured brand of the League.

Make an appointment with your Vet!

Since some of the animals we take in have unknown histories, we cannot guarantee the health of any animal adopted from the League. Although our Medical Center provides the best possible care, their stay with us is limited and there is a chance that an existing parasite or virus may not become apparent until after they are in their new home.