Adoption Center

Adoptions make everyone smile at Animal Services. With your help, adoptions have quadrupled in the past five years. Loving families adopted 5,085 pets in 2011. For a small fee, you can choose a dog or cat to be a part of your family. Adoptable animals will be vaccinated and sterilized prior to moving to their new homes.

Animal Services pledges its commitment to the public and the animals in their care. Citizens are urged to tour the facility and visit with the adoptable pets.

• Adoption fee - $40 or less
  • View all adoption dogs at closing time
  • View all adoption cats at closing time
  • View adoptable dogs & cats on Petfind
• Find your match - pick the right pet
• Frequently asked questions

• What to know before you adopt
• Adoption process - Adoption application form
  
• Cat adoption and information

   

  Have you joined FaceBook? If so, we also have pictures of our adoptable animals listed there too!

Pinellas County Animal Services Adoption Events:

• Animal Services specials throughout the year:
  • February - Feline Spay Month
  • May - adoptions are $25.
  • June - Adopt a Cat Month
  • August - Adopt a Dog Month. We offer ½ price adoptions on both dog and cats, and $5 rabies vaccinations with proof of current license during these specials.

Adoption Process:

• Select the animal. (see daily video's above)
• Take the animal history card to the reception area.
• Complete the adoption application .
  The adoption application is used to make sure that each of our pets go to a long-term, loving home. Pinellas County Animal Services reserves the right to deny any adoption that may not be appropriate for the animal or potential adopter. Pinellas County Animal Services does not discriminate with regards to sex, color, race or gender. This form becomes a government “public record” and must remain at Pinellas County Animal Services.
• Once approved, pay the fee (cash or credit card).
  Adoption fee ($40 or less) includes:
  • All dogs and cats are examined, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworms or FELV before leaving the facility.
  • Animals over 12 weeks of age receive rabies vaccination and county license.
  • A free county license is included with adoption of puppies and kittens under 12 weeks of age and can be redeemed by bringing proof of rabies vaccination and the adoption booklet to the shelter.
  • 5 lb. bag of Hills Science Diet food

• In most cases, you can immediately take home your new friend for life.
• Congratulations on your new dog!
• Congratulations on your new cat!
• Post surgical information

• Rabies vaccinations are available to the public at Pinellas County Animal Services on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. No appointments are necessary.
• Please be advised that not all animals pictured may be available at the time of your visit.

• Please be aware that we do not hold animals. All animals are adopted first come, first serve.

• If you see an animal on the adoption page that you are interested in, please write down the code number so that we may serve you faster when you arrive at our facility.

• Rescue Partners

Since creating partnerships for cat adoption programs with several local pet stores, we now adopt out more cats than dogs. All donations received from the cat adoptions are placed in the Animal Welfare Trust Fund.

Pinellas County regulations require cats to be kept indoors, unless they are on a leash. Please review the information below.

• Impact of Feral & Free-Ranging Cats on Bird Species
• Out Doors Brochure
• Outdoor Hazards

What to Know Before You Adopt:

Before you decide on a pet, review the information below:

• Review this free book on Adopting a Rescue Dog.
• Evaluate your needs
  Find out what breed of dog or cat best suits your lifestyle. Are you active? Are you home a lot? Do you have children? Do you work 20 hours a day? These are all the things that need to be considered before adopting an animal.
• Visit Pinellas County Animal Services
  Many people's first inclination is to go a pet store; however, local shelters have many dogs and cats to choose from in all shapes and sizes. We recommend reviewing our adoption application - preview & process form to determine what documents you should bring and/or the criteria to qualify, when adopting an animal.
• Ask the shelter staff lots of questions
  These are the people that are with the animals every day. Most likely, the shelter staff will be able to determine the animals' personality traits, likes, dislikes and temperament. Also, if you are looking for a specific breed or personality type, our shelter staff may be of help.
• Keep your options open
  A pet doesn't have to be a puppy or kitten to be a loyal companion. Older animals have a lot to offer. Oftentimes older dogs are already housebroken and leash-trained and older cats may be litter box trained and a bit more calmer than a kitten.
• Take your time
  It may take awhile to find that perfect pet, so be patient. You may have to visit the shelter quite often before you find the one that is right for you.
• Make a decision as a family
  If this pet will be a family pet, make your family a part of the decision. How does the dog/cat get along with everyone and how does everyone get along with the dog/cat? Remember you are choosing an animal to be a member of the family. Your pet may live as long as 16 to 18 years. Are you and your family prepared for such an important commitment?
• Give your animal some time to adjust
  Once you bring your new pet home, remember that it is in a new place and has to learn the lay of the land. Let it wander around and sniff. If there are children in the home, tell them that like a new kid in school, the animal may need a few days to adjust before it's comfortable to play. Most importantly, be patient. It may take a few weeks for the animal to feel at home and for it's true personality to emerge. Keep your pet safe and do not let your pet roam free outdoors .
• Use our shelter as a resource
  We will be happy to offer advice to keep you and your pet together.

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