How to Adopt

1.  Meet Your Match

The AAHS has many wonderful homeless pets waiting to be loved. You can even see them online!  If you haven't already chosen a new companion, your Adoption Counselor can assist in finding a good match for you. Complete a Meet Your Match personality profile and find out what "color" matches your lifestyle and expectations for your new pet and prepare to fall in love!

All of our cats and small animals that are available for adoption are at our Adoption Outreach Center in the back of Pet Supplies Plus. 

2. Specialized Dog Adoptions


We find the perfect dog for you based on the answers that you provide in a personality survey. We will search shelters high and low and when we find a potential match we will put the dog through a "SAFER" assessment to test for aggression. If the dog passes this assessment, we then test their personality using an 8 point personality assessment called Meet Your Match, a program of the ASPCA. For more information about dog adoptions, please email Kati. Let us help you Meet Your Match.

3. Tell Us a Little About Yourself


Complete a cat adoption profile, a dog adoption profile, or a small animal adoption profile & ask any questions you may have. As part of the adoption, your Adoption Counselor will ask for a veterinary reference and landlord approval. 

Your Adoption Counselor will review your profile with you and go over how to get your home ready for your new pet. Preparing ahead for the newest arrival helps your pet feel safe and relaxed as it makes the big move from shelter to forever home.

If you are already prepared to bring your new pet home, he or she can go home with you as early as the same day!

4. Adopt!


Your Adoption Counselor will work with you to answer any questions you have and will go over your new pet's history and medical information. You'll also pay the adoption fee and sign the Adoption Agreement, which officially transfers your new pet's ownership to you.

5.  Friends for Life


Take home the newest member of your family! Your Adoption Counselor will call in a few days to see how your new pet is adjusting and to answer any questions that may have come up. Even after we call you, please don't hesitate to call on AAHS if we can be of any assistance.


Adoption Fees

Cats & Kittens from $45-95
Reduced fees are available for multiple pet adoptions; ask our Adoption Counselors for more information.

Cat & Kitten Adoptions Include:

Spay or Neuter Surgery
Feline Leukemia Test
FIV Test
First Distemper Vaccination (FVRCP)
Rabies Vaccination
Deworming
Flea Treatment
Earmite Treatment
Microchip Identification
Safety Collar
Cardboard Carrier and more! 

Dogs & Puppies from $125-150

Dog & Puppy Adoptions Include:

Spay or Neuter Surgery
Heartworm Test (if over 6 months of age)
First Distemper Vaccination (DLAPP)
First Bordatella Vaccination (Kennel Cough) 
Rabies Vaccination
Deworming
Heartworm Preventive 
Flea Treatment
Earmite Treatment
Microchip Identification 
Safety Collar & Leash and more!

Rabbits $50
Rabbit Adoptions Include:
Spay or Neuter Surgery
Microchip Identification
 

Small Animals
Ferrets $75
Guinea Pig $25
Hamsters, Rats, and Gerbils $15

Adoption Counselors as a Resource

During this adoption process, please feel free to discuss any and all questions you may have with your Adoption Counselor.  For a lifelong relationship, AAHS hopes to help make a good match between pet and home, and to provide new adopters with as much information and support as possible.  Please consider us a resource before, during, and after adoption.

    Pets as Gifts

    Because of the lifetime commitment (cats live 15-20 years!) and personal connection involved in adopting an animal, the AAHS does not adopt animals as gifts.   However, we do offer gift certificates.  Ask a staff member for details.

    A Note about Adoption

    The goal of AAHS is to find permanent, loving homes for the animals in our care.  The Athens Area Humane Society appreciates your patience while we guide you through the adoption of your next friend for life.