Adoption Process & Fees
When you adopt a pet from Animal Welfare Society, you make a huge impact! You give an animal a lifetime of love and happiness and a place to call home.
Welcome to AWS’ Adoption Center
AWS’ adoption process is easy and straightforward .We look forward to helping to match you with your new best friend and supporting you throughout the adoption process.
Adopters are welcome to visit our Adoption Center without a scheduled appointment to meet adoptable pets including dogs, cats, birds and small animals. We are open 7 days a week, from 10 am – 3:30 pm.
All adoptions are on a first come, first served basis.
What to expect
When you arrive at the Adoption Center, check in with our team to start the adoption process. You will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire. Then, you’ll meet with an adoption counselor for a one-on-one conversation about pet preferences, lifestyle, family dynamics and more.
With this information, our adoption counselor will suggest pets that may be a good match. At that time, you’ll be able to meet the pet(s) and spend time with them. You’ll be able to get to know your potential new pet and ask your adoption counselor any questions you might have. You’ll have time to walk and play with dogs, outside, weather permitting, and you’ll have time to play and visit with cats and small animals in one of our meet & greet rooms.
If you decide you’re ready to adopt one of the pets you’ve met, it’ll be time to proceed with adoption! We ask that you take your new pet home with you after you’ve completed your adoption, on the same day. Finalizing the adoption process includes:
- discussing detailed information about your new pet (including your pet’s medical records)
- asking any additional questions
- signing an adoption contract
- paying an adoption fee
Then you and your new pet start your new life together!
You can bring supplies, such as leash or carrier with you, or you can purchase them at adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call ahead! We place as many pets as we can in foster care so they can thrive in a home-like setting while awaiting adoption. On our website these pets are marked as *IN FOSTER*. Give us a call to arrange a time for you to meet the pet at AWS.
That’s ok! We understand that bringing a pet home is a big decision and we want you to feel certain. You can come back multiple times to visit with a pet, if they are still available for adoption (Do keep in mind that this takes extra planning if the pet is in foster care). Because we want pets to start their new journey in a home as soon as possible, we do not place pets on hold.
While we are grateful for the many people who stop by to visit our animals, we want to make the experience meaningful for everyone involved, including the pets. We are a Fear-Free shelter, which means we ensure all the animals in our care feel safe and secure. We follow guidelines to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety or fear created by the pet’s living environment. By reducing foot traffic, keeping the shelter calm and quiet and maintaining a consistent schedule for each pet, we maintain a Fear-Free environment. Thus, we have set up our adoption process with the pets in mind.
If you want to engage with the animals, but are not looking to adopt, we have many structured opportunities to do so. Consider our volunteer and foster opportunities! If you have a group of individuals, our Visiting Pets program might be a great fit for your group. For student and school groups, please contact our youth programs coordinator.
Adoption fees support the care each animal receives at AWS and the greater services we provide our community. Without adoption fees, AWS would not be able to achieve our mission to serve as the safety net for lost and homeless pets and to provide access to affordable services and resources necessary for long term well-being, so pets and their families stay together and thrive.
We recommend bringing dogs to meet potential new dog additions to your family. This is not a requirement, and our adoption counselors can help give guidance about dog introductions. If you are unsure about whether you should bring your resident dog, give us a call in advance to chat.
Reference checks are not part of our adoption process. However, adopters should know in advance if their lease, homeowners association and/or community regulations permit companion animals in their home.
Adoption Fees
Dogs & Puppies
Dog adoption fees vary and typically range from $125 – $500+ depending on size, age, and breed type. Dog adoption fees include:
- Spay or Neuter Surgery and Wellness Exam conducted before adoption
- Rabies Vaccine (12 weeks and older)
- Distemper and Kennel Cough Vaccines
- Internal and External Parasite Control (including a dose of flea and tick preventative)
- Heartworm Testing (6 months and older) and Preventative (all ages)
- Coupon for a Complimentary Wellness Exam at the AWS Community Veterinary Clinic (must be scheduled within eight weeks of adoption date)
- Microchip (registered to you at the time of adoption)
Cats & Kittens
Cat adoption fees vary and typically range from $35 – $250+ depending on age, sociability and breed type. Cat adoption fees include:
- Spay or Neuter Surgery and Wellness Exam conducted before adoption
- Rabies Vaccine (for felines over 12 weeks)
- Distemper Vaccine
- Feline Leukemia Testing (as necessary)
- Internal and External Parasite Control (including a dose of flea and tick preventative)
- Coupon for a Complimentary Wellness Exam at the AWS Community Veterinary Clinic (must be scheduled within eight weeks of adoption date)
- Microchip (registered to you at the time of adoption)
Rabbits
Rabbit adoption fees are $85. Rabbit adoption fees include:
- Spay or Neuter Surgery and Wellness Exam conducted before adoption
- Grooming and Nail Trim, as needed
- External Parasite Control (including a dose of flea preventative)
- Coupon for a Complimentary Wellness Exam and Nail Trim at the Southern Maine Hospital for Small Mammals in Kennebunk (must be scheduled within eight weeks of adoption date)
Small Animals
Small animal adoption fees vary particularly by species and are typically as follows:
- Rats $16 each/$28 per pair
- Mice $10 each/$16 per pair
- Hamsters $16 each/$28 per pair
- Gerbils $16 each/$28 per pair
- Guinea Pigs $35/$55 per pair
- Chinchillas $150 each/$250 per pair
- Ferrets $150 each/$250 per pair
Birds
Bird adoption fees vary and are determined by age, size, temperament and species. Common bird adoption fees are typically as follows:
- Finches $20
- Canary $150
- Parakeets/Budgie $25/$40 per pair
- Cockatiel $150
- Conure $150
Fees for other large birds vary by breed.
Reptiles
Reptile adoption fees vary and are determined by age, temperament and species, and if an enclosure/habitat is included. Fees for common reptiles are typically as follows:
- Bearded Dragon $60
- Leopard Gecko $30
- Snakes $60 – $120
Fees for other exotic animals vary by breed.
Questions?
For more information about our adoption process, please contact our Adoption Center via email or telephone at (207) 985-3244.
