Love & Let Live
Every animal deserves a second chance at love — and life. We invite you to be part of the solution and give back to the animals who give us so much.
Bringing a new cat or dog into your family is a big decision — and we’re honored you’re interested in adopting from HSHC! Everything you need to know about our adoption process is outlined below.
Why should I adopt from HSHC?
The benefits of adopting a pet from HSHC are immeasurable. The most tangible adoption benefits, however, include:
*Please note that additional treatments, medications, or procedures your local vet may recommend are NOT included with our adoption fees and are the sole responsibility of the adopter. This includes – but is not limited to – pre-surgical bloodwork prior to spay/neuter surgery, post operative pain medication after spay/neuter surgery, antibiotics, booster shots, additional wormings, fecal examinations, dental work, and declawing.
**Adopters must choose from our list of participating veterinarians to redeem the services included with your adoption fee. A list of those veterinarians will be provided at the point of adoption.
How old do I have to be to adopt a pet?
The minimum age for adoption is 18, and for certain breeds – including Pit Bulls and Pit Bulls mixes, Rottweilers, Akitas, German Shepherds, Shar Peis, Dobermans, Bull Mastiffs, Huskies, and Chow Chows – you must be 21.
Do I have to be a homeowner to adopt?
We must be able to either verify home ownership or have approval from your landlord. Regardless of age, if you live with a parent, he or she must be present at the time of adoption.
What identification will I need if I want to adopt?
We require you to have a personal phone number and a copy of your driver’s license or state ID.
What if I already have a pet at home?
If you currently have a dog, we require they be introduced to your new addition. The shelter has a play yard to assist with new introductions.
If you currently have a cat, and you would like to adopt a dog, we will conduct a complimentary “cat test” with your prospective pet to ensure feline-canine compatibility!
If I have young kids, is pet adoption right for us?
We require that children under 16 be introduced to new pets before the adoption is finalized. (We may require that ALL family members, regardless of age, meet a dog with special needs.This requirement may be waived for some cat adoptions.)
May I give a pet as a gift?
Because choosing a pet is a very personal – and lifelong – decision, we do not allow pets to be adopted as gifts. The exception to this rule is adopting a pet for your dependent children. Gift certificates are available at our front desk.
Do my current pets have to be spayed/neutered before I adopt?
Approximately 3 million animals are euthanized in U.S. shelters every year. In an effort to do our part to reduce that number, we require that other animals within an adopter’s home be spayed or neutered.
Please note there is a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for Hamilton County residents. For more information on this and other Hamilton County Animal Ordinances visit this page.
To learn more about the health and behavior improvement benefits of spaying/neutering your pet and low-cost vet resources visit this page.
Some exceptions may be made under the following circumstances:
We got Pinky-Pie (formerly Salty) 1 1/2 years ago during a difficult time in our lives. He has been the best medicine for our whole family and is our daughter’s best friend! I can’t say enough about how amazing the staff were in finding the perfect match for us. This little fur ball has been a blessing!