Here’s how the adoption process works:

•  Adoptions are currently available in person:
  • Monday to Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday's 10:00am to 2:00pm
•  Check out our available dogs online and our available cats online.
• Complete the adoption paperwork in person.
• If the animal is altered, you may take the animal home the same day, adoption is competed! 
• If the animal is not altered (spayed/neutered), the animal may have to remain in the shelter until it's altered.
  • If you live in Madera County (includes City limits), you may take the animal as a Foster/Adopter and once it's scheduled for a spay/neuter appointment, return the animal to the shelter for transport to vet appointment.
    • During this wait period, the animal may NOT travel outside of Madera County. 
  • If you live outside of Madera County, per Madera County Animal Ordinances, the animal MUST remain at the shelter until it has been spay/neuter.
•  Once the animal has been spayed/neuter, you may take the animal home as your new family member!
  • The adopter has 30-days to return or exchange the animal if the adoption is not successful. After 30-days, it becomes the adopters' responsibility to rehome the animal. No refund.
• Cat Adoptions: $75.00 
• Dog Adoptions: $125.00
  • $10.00 yearly license fee for County Residents, excludes City limits.
  • $5.00 yearly license for Seniors 65+

 Make the most of your appointment - follow these steps in advance:

1. Check out our available dogs online or our available cats online. Our population changes every few minutes, for best results, check out our website an hour before your appointment to view the current animal's availability or give us a call for updates.
2. Write down the pet's name or A# you would like to meet. 
   • To maximize our life saving efforts and ensure animals spend as little time as possible at the shelter, we may not hold any pets.
3. Review our additional options below.
   • Check out Home-to-Home or Rescue Me! These are two websites where pet owners are trying to rehome their own pets. It's free to use and free to take the animal home!

Along with your new 'fur-ever' friend

Dogs in our shelter are given:

• 4-in-1 vaccination (distemper, hepatitis, parvo virus, and parainfluenza)
• Bordetella vaccination
• 30-day flea/tick treatment
• Adopted dogs ages 3 months of age and older also receive a rabies vaccination and Madera County dog license/tag (license fee not included in adoption fee).
• All animals adopted from us also must be spayed or neutered prior to leaving the shelter. If you adopt a cat/dog that has not yet been altered, it may need to stay an extra day or two for the next available surgery date.
• 24Pet Watch Microchip with registration.

Cats in our shelter are given:

•  3-in-1 vaccination (feline distemper, rhino tracheitis, and caliciviral),
• 30-day flea/tick treatment
• Rabies vaccine.  Madera County does not require cats to be licensed.
• 24Pet Watch Microchip with registration.

What is the PRE-Adoption program?

• The PRE-Adoption program allows potential adopters the chance to reserve/adopt a dog or cat while still on a legally mandated hold.
• Some pets on a legal stray hold (generally 72 business hours) are eligible for a PRE-Adoption! 

Why are we offering this program?

• This option is a way to expedite adoptions, reduce length of stay, and better serve you. It also helps to ensure we will have life-saving space available for animals in need while maintaining a healthy number of animals within our Capacity for Care.

How does it work?  

• Most healthy, friendly animals are available for Pre-Adoption. All Pre-adoptions must be completed in person at the shelter; no phone or email holds will be accepted. 
• Payment for Pre-Adoption will be excepted via cash or check only.
• Possible opportunity for a Meet & Greet (pet to pet) with the pet is an option and encouraged. 
• If the animal is not claimed during the 3-day stray hold, the Pre-Adopter who had placed the adoption deposit, will be the official adopter and surgery will be scheduled, (if required).
• There is always a chance that the pre-adopted pet may still be claimed by the original owner within the holding period. If this occurs you may either choose to receive your Pre-Adoption money back or transfer it to a new pet.

Effective January 1, 2020, in recognition and appreciation of U.S. veterans, adoption fees are waived for dogs and cats for veterans to take home their new best friend.

How does it work:

• Veterans must show their driver’s license or Military ID card to receive the adoption fees waived.
• Veterans participating in the Pets for Vets Program, are responsible for Madera County license fee.
  • $10.00 yearly license 
  • $5.00 Senior 65+ yearly license 
• The law limits the Veteran's Free Dog and Cat Adoptions to one pet every six months.