Adopt a Pet

Our adoption process begins with an online Adoption Survey. Submitting a Specific Pet Survey automatically places your chosen pet on hold and allows you to select an available appointment time with an Adoption Specialist.

Your appointment is a conversation to learn more about the pet, ask questions, and make sure they're a great match for you. The conversation typically takes about 20 minutes.

When will I meet the pet?
If you haven't already met them, you may be able to meet during your appointment if they're onsite and available for introductions. Otherwise, our team will make arrangements for you to meet them when they're ready.

Once you've met your pet, completed the adoption process, and finalized the paperwork, your new family member can go home with you!

Our adoption fees vary by species and age. Discounted rates are available for bonded pairs.

Dogs

• Puppies (6 months or younger): $325
• Adult dogs (7+ months): $125
• Bonded puppy pair: $475
• Bonded adult dog pair: $200

Cats

• Kittens (6 months or younger): $175
• Adult cats (7+ months): $85
• Bonded kitten pair: $250
• Bonded adult cat pair: $140

Small Pets

• Rabbits: $50 for individuals | $90 per bonded pair
• Guinea pigs: $30 for individuals | $50 per bonded pair | $80 per bonded trio
• Hamsters, gerbils, and mice: $15 for individuals | $25 per bonded pair
• Rats: $20 for individuals | $35 per bonded pair | $50 per bonded trio

Our Pet Adoption Center is located at 200 Petfinder Lane in Raleigh, NC, and is open to visitors daily from 11 AM–6 PM.

You're welcome to visit our adoptable pets without an appointment! Adoptions themselves are completed by appointment.

Visit our Contact Us page for directions and more information about our campus.

Yes! Our online Adoption Survey allows you to complete the adoption process remotely, wherever you live.

However, you or someone on your behalf must come to our Pet Adoption Center in Raleigh, NC, to pick up your pet. Generally, pets must be picked up the same day you submit your survey, although holds may sometimes extend to the following day.

For adult pets, we highly recommend coming to meet the animal yourself before finalizing the adoption to make sure they're the right fit.

Start by browsing our adoptable dogs, cats, and small pets online, or come meet them at our Pet Adoption Center any day from 11 AM–6 PM!

Our trained volunteers and experienced staff can help you find a great match based on your family, lifestyle, and preferences.

Each pet's online bio includes available information about their personality, history, age, size, medical needs, and other important considerations.

Once you've found your match, you can place them on hold by submitting an Adoption Survey. You can also complete a General Process Survey if you'd like to get a head start before choosing a pet.

If you're interested in a pet who is already pending adoption, we recommend submitting an Adoption Survey to become a backup adopter. If the first adoption falls through, the next adopter in line will be notified that the pet is on hold for them.

Please note: We cannot accept backup adoption surveys for puppies (6 months and younger). Backup adoption surveys are available for adult dogs, cats, kittens, and small pets.

We can only process a limited number of backups per pet. If you're unable to select a pet on your survey, the maximum number of backups may already have been reached.

In the meantime, we encourage you to explore some of our other adoptable pets, including overlooked animals patiently waiting for loving homes!

To be fair to the pets in our care and other potential adopters, holds generally last only until your scheduled adoption appointment.

After completing your appointment, please be prepared to bring your pet home right away.

Some circumstances may allow a hold to be extended, such as a pet awaiting spay/neuter surgery. Your Adoption Specialist will discuss any applicable exceptions with you.

Submitting a Specific Pet Adoption Survey automatically places that pet on hold for you. Because we cannot keep pets on hold for extended periods, adoption appointments are only offered within a limited window after the survey is submitted.

Our team also needs enough time to complete the adoption conversation, introduce you to your chosen pet, and finalize paperwork before closing. For this reason, adoption appointments generally cannot begin after 5:00 PM.

Occasionally, later appointments may be possible depending on staffing and existing appointments or pickups.

To be fair to all adopters, we can only place one pet on hold for you at a time, or two in the case of a bonded pair.

If you're having trouble choosing, our trained volunteers and experienced staff can talk with you about what you're looking for and recommend pets who may be a good fit for your family.

We're happy to accommodate dog-to-dog introductions, as well as guinea pig-to-guinea pig and rabbit-to-rabbit introductions!

First, complete an Adoption Survey to place the pet on hold. Then let your Adoption Specialist know you'd like to arrange an introduction during your scheduled adoption appointment.

Please note that we cannot accommodate cat-to-cat meetings or introductions between different species, such as dogs and cats. Dog-to-puppy introductions may or may not be possible depending on the age of the puppy.

Your adoption appointment begins with a conversation with an Adoption Specialist. If the pet is staying elsewhere, they won't be brought to the Adoption Center until that conversation is complete.

To avoid making multiple trips, we recommend completing the adoption conversation by phone first. Our team can then arrange a time for you to meet the pet.

Pet introductions typically take place at the Pet Adoption Center on Petfinder Lane unless our team provides different instructions.

Yes! Our Dress Rehearsal program allows potential adopters to bring eligible adult pets (1 year and older) home for a short trial period to see how they fit into their family and lifestyle before finalizing adoption.

Learn more about Dress Rehearsals, including eligibility, fees, and program requirements.

We can't reliably determine the breed mixes of our adoptable dogs based on appearance alone. We'd rather help you choose a dog based on their individual personality, behavior, and compatibility with your lifestyle.

Learn more about why SPCA Wake no longer uses breed labels.

Thank you for your interest in fostering!

Pets at our Adoption Center are generally ready to find permanent homes and don't need traditional foster placements. However, we always need foster families for animals who are sick, injured, nursing, or too young for adoption.

Learn more about becoming an SPCA Wake foster family.

If you're interested in spending a few days with an adoptable adult dog or cat before committing to adoption, our Dress Rehearsal program may be a better fit.

Please bring a government-issued photo ID and any supplies needed to safely transport your new pet home.

• Dogs: A leash and martingale collar or harness.

• Cats and small pets: A species-appropriate carrier. Cardboard boxes are not permitted.

If you don't have these supplies, many are available for purchase at our SPCA Retail Store, where all proceeds support our lifesaving mission!

Please note: The Retail Store accepts cash and cards for adoption fees and purchases. Checks are not accepted.

Submitting an Adoption Survey does not obligate you to adopt.

If you meet the pet and decide they're not the right fit, or that now isn't the best time to adopt, we understand! Please let an Adoption Specialist know as soon as possible so the pet's hold can be released for other potential adopters.

If you've already completed an appointment with an Adoption Specialist, your information will remain on file for six months, making it easier to pick up where you left off when you're ready.

If you haven't completed an appointment, you'll just need to submit a new survey when you're ready to begin again.

Once your adoption is finalized, your pet will need to establish care with their own veterinarian for ongoing medical needs, including routine checkups, vaccinations, and treatment for illnesses or injuries.

However, SPCA Wake also hosts low-cost pop-up Wellness Clinics throughout the year, offering essential vaccines, microchips, and other basic preventive services for pets in our community. All pet owners are welcome to participate, regardless of whether their pet was adopted from SPCA Wake!

Click here for information about our upcoming Wellness Clinics.