Adoptions

We've assembled articles and programs that take in the full scope of adoption and address some of the trickiest placements, such as older animals and thoroughly independent cats.

Articles
Step by Step Profiles
Tips
Sample Materials for Adopters
Adoption Workshop for Staff and Volunteers

Articles

Prize-Winning Promotions
St. Huberts' Animal Welfare Center launched a provocative campaign to get their animals adopted. See their ads and download the artwork for your shelter.

Marketing Strategies for Cat Adoptions
We've assembled a one-stop shopping center for the most creative cat adoption promotions you've ever seen.

A Talent Show for Adoptable Dogs
Show the public how great shelter dogs are, and help them overcome the perception that animals are in shelters because there is ‘something wrong with them.'

Tampa's Animal Adoption Expo
Day-long adoption events in the Tampa Bay area attract thousands of potential adopters - and send hundreds of animals to permanent, loving homes.

Barn Cat Program
Year-round quarters for country feral cats.

Catty Shack Program
Inmates at a local minimum security prison care for one shelter's cats.

Step by Step Profiles

Free Adult Cat Adoptions
Seven shelters share their programs for offering free adult cats to qualified adopters. Their experience? Waive the adoption fee for your wonderful adult cats, and everybody, especially the cats, will win.

Implementing the ASPCA's Meet Your Match Program
The Animal Refuge League in Portland, Maine started out cautiously curious about the ASPCA's Meet Your Match™ Adoption Program, but soon became enthusiastic "early adopters."

Progressive Adoptions Serving Pets and People
Creating "a culture of understanding and respect" for adopters, staff, and volunteers is critical to the success of the open adoption program at the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society in Leverett, Massachusetts.

A Revolutionary Approach to Adoptions
Friendly collaborative conversations with potential adopters help the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV) in Boulder, Colorado facilitate strong people/pet matches.

User-Friendly Adoptions
An adoption process based on trust rather than suspicion creates a positive experience for all involved at the Oregon Humane Society (OHS).

Improving Adopters' Shelter Experiences
Eliminating barriers to adoption by improving the experience was the simple and substantial goal of the Wisconsin Humane Society, serving Milwaukee County.

Managing Intake by Appointment
The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) discovered that requiring appointments for admissions benefits animals, people, and shelter operations.

Tips

Put Their Best Paws Forward
Kit Jenkins, PetSmart® Charities Program Manager, gives tips and ideas for making your animals irresistible to adopters.

Getting Great Photos of Your Animals
Ten tips for taking photos that show your animals and your organization in the best possible light.

Tips for Free Cat Adoption Promotions
Six tips from agencies who know what it takes to run a successful free cat promotion.

Hosting Large-Scale Animal Adoption Events (.pdf)
Best Friends Animal Society offers tips for running successful animal adoption events that find homes for hundreds of animals.

Sample Materials for Adopters

In addition to the samples below, check out the adoption profiles listed above for great samples of adoption applications, policies, and adopter agreements.

Information for Dog Adopters
Great materials for a general audience that can help your dog adopters better understand and live peaceably with their canine companions.

Information for Cat Adopters
Great handouts that help your cat adopters understand the sophisticated thinking of their feline companions.

What's Included in Adoption Fees
The Richmond SPCA in Virginia shares flyers to help you demonstrate that a shelter animal is always a good value.

Tools for Communicating with Adopters

Tips for Communicating with Adopters
Use the tips in this video to put your adopters at ease and establish rapport, and help make the best matches.

Meet the Adopters Workshop
Download these workshop materials to embrace new ways of thinking about adoption and improve adoption outcomes.