How adoption works

A little time to get it right.

A thoughtful match is better for everyone. You will meet the animal, take them home for a seven-day trial, and keep their foster in your corner.

The five steps

From hello to home.

1
Apply
Fill out the online application. It takes about 10 minutes.
2
Talk
We call within two days, then check with your landlord or vet when needed.
3
Meet
Meet at a foster home or Saturday adoption room. Bring your dog to meet ours.
4
Try
Take them home for seven days. Their foster checks in on day three.
5
Finalize
Sign the contract and pay the fee. If it ever stops working, they come back to us.

Our promise

At any age and for any reason, a Cottonwick animal returns to Cottonwick, never to a shelter.

Adoption fees

Every fee supports a full medical start and a practical handoff from foster home to yours.

$225

Puppies under 6 months: $275
Senior dogs 8 and up: $95

$110

Kittens under 6 months: $135
Two kittens together: $200
Senior cats 10 and up: $50

Spay or neuter surgery.
Vaccines for their age: distemper-parvo for dogs, FVRCP for cats, and rabies at 12 weeks and older.
A microchip registered to you.
A full vet exam.
Deworming and flea treatment.
A heartworm test and one month of prevention for dogs 6 months and older.
A FeLV/FIV test for cats.
A starter bag of the food they are used to.

The average vet cost for one dog is $410. The standard dog fee covers a little over half, and donations cover the rest.