How do I adopt a pet in Oklahoma City?
If you’re wanting to adopt a pet in Oklahoma City, OK, there are a few things you’ll need to know first. Before you begin your search to find your new dog or cat, make sure you understand the process and requirements of the animal shelter or rescue that you want to adopt from. Below is a list of the general guidelines for the process to adopt from most shelters.
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Age minimum to adopt. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to adopt a pet. And some shelters or rescues will actually require the adopter to be at least 21 or 25 years of age. You will also need to bring a valid driver’s license or ID and provide proof of your address. To find out the age requirements, you can check the shelter’s website or call in before arrival.
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Fill out the online application. The vast majority of shelters will require that you first fill out their online application before being considered eligible to adopt one of their pets. There’s usually basic contact information, questions about the type of pet you’re looking for, the type of home or other pets you have, and sometimes questions about your pet parenting style.
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Cost of adoption fees. It costs quite a bit for these shelters and rescues to care for all of their animals. Not only do they feed and shelter them, but they’ll give your pup or cat medical care, vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and sometimes they’ll even microchip the pet just in case they get lost in the future. For pricing examples, check out the section below about the cost of adopting a pet.
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Have a “meet and greet.” Before adopting your new pet, you will typically do a “meet and greet” in person, and spend a little time together. This will help you both see if you would be a good match for each other. It’s also helpful to bring your whole family along — spouse, children, and even your other pets — to see how everyone gets along with each other.
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Home visit. This is much more rare, but specific animal rescues will require a home visit before you can adopt your new pet. This helps ensure that your family and home are suitable for taking care of your new cat or dog. Not only does this help to verify the safety and care of the pet, but it also helps prevent returning pets after adoption.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog in Oklahoma City, OK?
Each animal shelter and rescue will have slightly different adoption fees based upon their financial needs to care for these pets. Keep in mind that these fees help pay for their building expenses, staffing, insurance, etc. But it also pays for your new cat or dog to have housing, food, toys, clean space to play and sleep, medical care, vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and sometimes a microchip — in case they get lost in the future.
Check out the examples below to get a general idea of what to expect. And always call ahead or check out the website of the location where you want to adopt from before arriving. This way, you’ll know what you’re getting into before you fall in love with your next fur baby.
OK Humane Society
Puppies and adult dogs
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Puppies: $205
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Adult dogs: $150
Kittens and adult cats
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Kittens: $100
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Adult cats: $75
Country Roads Animal Rescue
Puppies and adult dogs
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Puppies (under one-year-old): $325
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Adult dogs: $225
405 Animal Rescue
Puppies and adult dogs
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Puppies (under one-year-old): $300
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Adult dogs: $200
Kittens and adult cats
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Kittens (under one-year-old): $100
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Adult cats: $80
Other
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Small animals: $115
Where is the best place to find pets in Oklahoma City, OK?
There are numerous places to choose to adopt a pet from in Oklahoma City, OK. Our list below is just a good starting point. But wherever you decide to adopt your new fur baby, please do your research ahead of time.
Check out their process and prices, and make sure they are a respectable and reputable organization that truly cares for the well-being of every individual animal that comes through their doors. Your purchase of a pet is your financial support for whichever organization you choose.
PetFinder.com
PetFinder.com is the perfect place to search online from the comfort of your home for all the adoptable pets in your surrounding area. You’ll be able to see cats and dogs from numerous animal shelters and rescues. And you’ll be able to filter through the available pets to find the type of cat or dog you’re looking for based on gender, breed, size, age, and whether or not they are good with children and other pets.
Forever Yours Dog Rescue
Forever Yours Dog Rescue was founded in 2011 by three women with 25 years of experience rescuing, fostering, volunteering, and fundraising for animals.
“We are an Oklahoma City based all-breed dog rescue. We don’t care about a dog’s breed, size, condition, age, or color. If a dog is in need of rescue and we are in a position to help, we will. We care for the unwanted, abandoned, neglected and abused dogs of Oklahoma. We rescue dogs from the streets as well as from local shelters and shelters throughout Oklahoma, especially small rural shelters with no public adoption programs.”
These ladies will do whatever they can and whatever is needed to rescue dogs in need, get them the proper medical care necessary, and find them new happy, healthy, forever homes.
Bella SPCA
Bella SPCA is a nonprofit organization in Oklahoma City that was created to “assist low-income, elderly or terminally ill pet owners with the cost of veterinary care when it cannot be afforded.” Thousands of animals are euthanized — or sent home to die — every year solely because their pet parents can’t afford the animal care.
This organization was created to help solve this incredibly hard problem. “When an owner brings an animal into a clinic for care and cannot afford the cost, the attending veterinarian can contact Bella for assistance. If assistance is given, the owner must agree to volunteer 8 hours of their time at either Bella SPCA or their local shelter.”
OK Humane Society
OK Humane Society was founded in 2007 and collaborates closely with many local animal shelters, including the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare (OKC Animal Shelter).
“Our primary focus is to eliminate the needless euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in Oklahoma City. Our journey begins and ends with love. We love animals and believe that Oklahoma will see a day when every healthy and adoptable pet finds a home.”
Since its establishment in 2007, the OK Humane Society has helped make a positive impact on the lives of more than 150,000 animals across Oklahoma.
Safe Haven Animal Rescue
Safe Haven Animal Rescue is a “volunteer-driven, no kill, animal rescue servicing the Oklahoma City area and surrounding areas. We aim to help re-home, foster dogs and cats while providing services for pet adoption, animal awareness throughout our communities.”
This nonprofit organization’s ultimate goal is to find a permanent home for every animal. They focus on rescuing animals from kill shelters who are rescuable but are destined to stay in these places. They also save animals from puppy mills or even just from homes where the owners cannot care for their pets anymore.
Country Roads Animal Rescue
“Country Roads is a nonprofit 501c3 dedicated to saving the lives of neglected, abandoned and homeless dogs in Oklahoma. We are non breed specific and welcome all sizes, ages and breeds. Our doors are open to all in need.”
Since Country Roads Animal Rescue opened in April 2015, they have rescued over 6000 animals! They shelter and try to find new homes for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, other small animals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, horses, and other farm animals.
405 Animal Rescue
405 Animals Rescue shelters and finds new adoptive homes for dogs, cats, and other small pets. They are a nonprofit organization that strives to rescue “animals off death-row and euthanasia, rescuing unwanted animals, promoting spay and neuter, microchipping to increase the return-to-owner rate, socialize and rehabilitate mentally and physically abused animals, and much more.”
They ask everyone to foster, adopt, rescue, and advocate. Their website says, “You can do something big, or you can do something small. Because whatever you do, it’s better than nothing at all.”
Adopt a pet in Oklahoma City today!
Ready to adopt your new cat or dog? Now that you know what to expect and where to go… What are you waiting for? Many adorable cats and dogs need a suitable, loving, forever home to call their own. And that home could be yours!