Adoption Process
Adoptions are by appointment only, you must be at least 18 years of age in order to book an appointment. Virtual consultations will be conducted over the phone prior coming in to complete the adoption. Once you’ve selected an animal you’re interested in adopting, please schedule your phone adoption consultation.
1. View Available Pets
Browse our adoptable animals or visit the animals in person at our San Diego, Escondido or Oceanside Campuses; visit one of our adoption centers around the county; or come see us at one of our Mobile Adoption events!
2. Meet the Pet(s) and an adoption Counselor
Be sure to check our operation hours and please allow a 1-hour minimum to complete the adoption process.
Once you’ve selected an animal (or two!) that you’re interested in adopting, you can meet with an adoption counselor and spend time getting to know the pet. Our adoption counselors are trained to help make the best match for you and can answer any questions you may have.
Animal Introductions
San Diego Humane Society will only complete dog-to-dog introductions in special circumstances based on the behaviors displayed by the dog(s) in our care or by the owned dog.
We recommend before bringing a second pet into your home, you assess whether or not this will enrich your current pet’s life. Protocol for dog to dog introductions | Protocol for cat to cat introductions.
3. Complete the Adoption
When you've found a great match, it's time to complete the adoption process! You'll have the opportunity to ask the adoption counselors questions about training and get tips on helping your new pet adjust to your home.
If the animal you are interested in has any medical or behavioral conditions, we will also arrange a pre-adoption consultation with one of our veterinarians or trainers.
Adoption Guarantee:
Love your new pet...
or let us know.
We're committed to finding you the perfect pet match. We are proud to offer an adoption guarantee in case your adoption does not work as planned and you need to return your pet to San Diego Humane Society.
Resource Directory
As a trusted, local animal welfare organization, we've compiled tips, tricks and resources to help you take the very best care of your pet. Whether it's training tips, wellness information or financial resources, we're here to answer your pet-related questions. If you don't find the information you're looking for, give us a call at 619-299-7012.
Resource Center • Post-Adoption Complimentary Vet Exams
• Post-Adoption Tip Sheet (PDF Download)
• Things to Consider During the Adoption Process
• Adoption Locations
Tips for Successful Introductions:
Before bringing a second pet home, assess whether or not this will enrich your current pet’s life.
Dog to Dog Introductions Cat to Cat Introductions Dog to Cat Introductions Children to Dog Introductions
Adoption Fees
All adoption fees collected assist in the daily care and ongoing needs of each animal admitted to San Diego Humane Society.
Depending on the type of animal, fees may include spay/neuter, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, a certificate for a free veterinary exam, an incentive for pet insurance from MetLife, and a license if residing in Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach or Vista.
| $30 | Senior dogs and cats* (7+ years old) |
| $100 | Dogs (7 months to under 7 years old) |
| $65 | Cats* (7 months to under 7 years old) |
| $200 | Puppies (6 months and younger) |
| $130 | Kittens* (6 months and younger) |
| $30 | Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, large birds, reptiles |
| $10 | Canaries, parakeets, finches, mice, rats, hamsters |
| ~ | Livestock (fees vary based on species) |
| *Cat/kitten adoptions require use of a carrier. Cardboard carriers are available for purchase. | |
Adoption Discount Programs
| Fee Waived | Senior adopters program (free adoptions for any person 60+)* |
| 2nd adult dog: $5; 2nd puppy: $100 |
Dog buddy adoption (adoption of another dog/puppy at the same time or within one year of the first adoption) |
| 2nd adult cat: $5 2nd kitten: $65 |
Cat buddy adoption (adoption of another cat/kitten at the same time or within one year of the first adoption)* |
| More Info | Military and veteran support |
| Fee Waived | Animal welfare and rescue partner fees |
| $50 | Independent 501C3 request fees |
| *Cat/kitten adoptions require use of a carrier. Cardboard carriers are available for purchase. | |
We reserve the right to hold special animal adoption promotions wherein prices may be reduced or waived altogether. These promotional campaigns will be advertised to the general public and honored during the promotional dates only. Following special adoption campaigns, adoption pricing will revert to original pricing until further notice.
Things to Consider During the Adoption Process:
If you are adopting a puppy/dog: Dogs in our care have been exposed to Kennel Cough, which is contagious and could be described as a “dog cold.” Symptoms can include watery eyes, watery nose and/or coughing. Similar to a child that is exposed to extra germs in a school environment, your dog may or may not contract kennel cough. If your dog does come down with kennel cough, it will be your responsibility to take them to a vet to get them the proper treatment.
If you are adopting a kitten /cat: Cats in our care have been exposed to Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) which is contagious and could be described as a “cat cold.” Symptoms can include watery eyes, watery nose and/or sneezing. Like a child that is exposed to extra germs in a school environment, your cat may or may not contract URI. If your cat does come down with URI, it will be your responsibility to take them to a vet to get them the proper treatment.
Your dog/cat/rabbit has been microchipped: If your pet is microchipped with a company other than Home Again, you will be given a registration form to complete. Please provide your current contact information. If your pet has a Home Again microchip, you will be contacted by the microchip company in the next few days, welcoming you. If you need to change your address or phone number, you will do that with the microchip company directly. If your animal ever gets lost, the animal’s microchip number will be linked to you, so the animal can be returned to you.
Your kitten /cat or puppy /dog has been spayed or neutered: Your animal may have been recently spayed or neutered. If the animal was recently spayed or neutered, we ask that you wait 10 days from the time of the surgery to bathe your animal. You can find the date of spay/neuter in the animal’s Medical History Record that will be emailed to you. Surgical glue was used to seal the surgery site and we don’t want to prematurely dissolve that glue by bathing the animal before 10 days. If you notice your animal bothering the surgery site, you may need to purchase an e-collar and contact your own vet for additional information.
Your adopted animal is currently up to date on all of their vaccines: Each animal is current on all the necessary vaccines when they are adopted. You can find the vaccine history in the animal’s Medical History Record that will be emailed to you the day you adopt. We suggest continuing a flea treatment and necessary vaccines after adoption. After adoption, future vaccination needs may change. Please speak to your vet regarding your pet’s health and lifestyle to determine what future vaccinations are needed and when.
You’ll Also Receive These Additional Benefits:
- We proudly feed all of our animals a Purina diet, and we recommend you do the same as you start your journey to happily ever after.
- We have an ADOPTION GUARANTEE!
If you need to return your adopted animal for whatever reason, you can do so. You must call our Admissions department to schedule a return at 619-299-7012. - 10% off any purchase you make in Muttique on your adoption day (Oceanside location only).
- Petco “Welcome to the Family” benefits.
What to Do After Adoption
Schedule Your Free Vet Exam (you have two options)
- Option 1 – Using the VCA flyer, make an appointment at any VCA hospital listed on the back of the flyer in your adoption paperwork.
• This certificate is valid within the first 14 days after adoption. - Option 2 - To get you and your pet off on the best start possible, these veterinary offices have generously offered to provide a complimentary vet exam when you adopt a pet from San Diego Humane Society. Simply choose a vet office, schedule an appointment and remember to bring your Complimentary Vet Exam certificate to your appointment..
• This certificate is valid within the first seven days after adoption.
If your vet discovers a medical concern that we did not (something not in the waiver/contract). Call our Wellness Center at 619-279-5085 within 14 days of adoption to schedule a post adoption appointment before approving any treatment through your own veterinarian.
Register with MetLife Pet Insurance
An incentive for pet insurance from MetLife is included with your adoption. Call 855-780-7387 and speak to a MetLife representative.
Register with Finding Rover
- This is a free app to assist in finding animals faster, if they go missing.
- This app uses facial recognition to match your dog to your information. Your pet’s photo has already been uploaded to Finding Rover!
- To register, all you need is the email you gave to us at the time of adoption. From your cell phone, go to the Finding Rover website and follow the instructions for registration.
Schedule Behavior and Training Classes
- To schedule your free 1-hour training session with one of our expert trainers, please call 619-299-7012 ext. 2398.
- For behavioral questions and training tips, please visit our behavior and training center.
- Email your behavior or training questions to [email protected] or call 619-299-7012 ext. 2244.
San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside Campus
For all return appointments, Wellness Center / post-adoption medical issues or behavior questions, please call 619-299-7012.
