Wondering where and how to adopt your new fur baby in Fort Worth, TX? We're here to help! Check out our advice below for everything you need to know about adopting a new pet.
If you live in Fort Worth, TX, and are ready to add a new fur baby to your family, we can help guide the way! There are several things you'll want to know before picking your next pup or kitten. you may have questions like, "where can I adopt a pet?" Or "how much does it cost?" You may even wonder, "what are the requirements?"
If you've never adopted a pet from a shelter before, or it's been a while, the rules and regulations might surprise you. So read below to learn everything you need to know before adopting your new furry best friend.
Adopting a pet from a shelter is a wonderful way to give an animal a second chance and provide them with a loving home. So let's get your adoption journey started today.
What Do You Need to Adopt a Pet in Fort Worth, TX?
To adopt a pet from an animal shelter or rescue in Fort Worth, you will need to meet certain requirements. Every shelter is different, but this can include providing proof of identification, filling out an adoption application, answering a questionnaire, and possibly undergoing a home visit.
Since the requirements will vary from one shelter to another, it's important to check with the specific shelter you are interested in. Here are the typical pet adoption requirements from most animal shelters and rescues.
- Age minimum to adopt
To adopt a pet from a shelter, you must meet the age requirement set by the specific shelter. This may vary, but you must typically be 18 years or older. However, some shelters may require you to be 21 or even 25 years or older. You will also need to present a valid ID when adopting.
- Fill out the online application
Before you can begin the adoption process, you will typically need to fill out an online application on the animal shelter's website. This application will ask for your contact information and may also inquire about your home situation, experience with pets, pet-parenting style, and the size of your home and yard. This information is used to ensure that you are ready to care for a pet and to help ensure the safety and well-being of the animal.
- Cost of adoption fees
There is a cost to adopt a pet from a shelter. This fee covers the expenses associated with housing, feeding, and caring for the animal, including staffing, insurance, mortgage, utilities, and medical care. Your fee may seem high, but it is significantly less than the actual cost of caring for the animal until it is adopted. Non-profit shelters and rescues often rely on volunteers and donors to help cover these costs.
- Have a "meet and greet"
Before you can adopt a pet, you may be required to participate in a "meet and greet" with the animal. This allows you to interact with the pet and see how you get along. It is also helpful to bring any family members or current pets you have to the meet and greet.
- Home visit
In some cases, the shelter or rescue may also require a home visit to ensure that your home is suitable for a pet. This step helps prevent any future pet returns to the shelter.
Cost to Adopt a Pet from an Animal Shelter in Fort Worth, TX
The fees for adopting a pet from a shelter in Fort Worth, TX, may include the cost of spaying or neutering the animal, any necessary medical treatments, and the cost of microchipping. Some shelters offer reduced fees for certain groups, such as senior citizens or military personnel, and may also have discounted prices for senior pets, pets who have been at the shelter for an extended period, or for adopting multiple pets at once.
The adoption fees at Fort Worth animal shelters vary, so it is important to check with the specific shelter you are interested in to get the most accurate pricing information. Remember that it is always a good idea to inquire about adoption fees before falling in love with a particular pet.
City of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control
Puppies and adult dogs
- All dogs: $49
Kittens and adult cats
- All cats: $25
Humane Society of North Texas
Dogs, cats, and small pets
- All pets: $15 - $325
Equine
- All horses: up to $2,500
Operation Kindness
Puppies and adult dogs
- All dogs: $205
Kittens and adult cats
- All cats: $155
Where is the Best Place to Adopt a Pet in Fort Worth, TX?
There are several places in Fort Worth where you can adopt a pet from an animal shelter. You'll find humane societies, government-funded organizations, animal shelters, and animal rescues. Below are some of the most popular, reputable places to adopt a pet in Fort Worth. No matter which place you choose, many loving dogs, cats, and more are ready for their new forever home.
City of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control
The City of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control shelter is a government-funded animal rescue. They help keep residents safe through animal control regulations, pet education, and pet services. They offer programs to "reduce the stray pet population, minimize the threat of diseases and prevent injuries caused by animals." They are dedicated to providing compassionate care for every pet who comes through their doors and finding them a safe foster home or new, loving forever home.
Humane Society of North Texas
The Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) works with the community to provide numerous animal services to help "end animal cruelty & pet homelessness in North Texas." They work as advocates for pets who are abandoned, injured, neglected, and mistreated. And they work to find new forever homes for pets in need and provide services and resources to help good pet parents take care of their pets as best they can.
Operation Kindness
Operation Kindness was started in 1976 by a group of volunteers dedicated to creating life-saving shelters for homeless pets with nowhere else to go. Today their mission is to care for homeless cats and dogs in a no-kill shelter environment. And to help find loving, responsible new homes for these pets. And they wish to see a world where all cats and dogs can have a home like this.
Saving Hope Animal Rescue Fund
Saving Hope Animal Rescue Fund is a passionate organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in the greater Fort Worth area. They have a strong emphasis on saving animals from high-risk situations and providing them with the necessary medical treatment and care. Saving Hope stands out for its commitment to ending animal abuse and neglect through active community involvement and awareness campaigns. Their foster program is a testament to their belief in the power of a nurturing home environment for the healing process of their rescues.
The uniqueness of Saving Hope lies in their relentless pursuit of a future where every animal is treated with respect and kindness. They go above and beyond to ensure that each animal's journey from rescue to adoption is filled with love and care. Their success stories and the smiles they bring to both animals and adopters alike can be followed on their vibrant social media channels and their informative website.
Texas Humane Heroes
Texas Humane Heroes is a no-kill, private, non-profit organization with a mission to provide innovative programs that help eliminate pet homelessness and improve animal welfare. Specializing in pet adoptions, they pull dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters to give them a second chance at life. Their uniqueness lies in their comprehensive approach to adoption, ensuring that each animal is not only placed in a loving home but also that each adopter is well-equipped to provide a forever home.
Their "Love Leander Adoption Center" is a hallmark of their dedication to creating a community where every pet has a home. Texas Humane Heroes also offers low-cost spay/neuter programs and vaccination clinics to prevent overpopulation and maintain pet health. Their tireless efforts and community-centric initiatives make them a beacon of hope for animals in the Fort Worth area.PetFinder.com & AdoptAPet.com
In addition to these shelters, you may also be able to find pets for adoption through online resources such as Petfinder.com or AdoptAPet.com. You can view pictures of cats, dogs, and other small pets from numerous animal shelters and rescues nearby. And you can filter through the available pets to find what you're looking for based on species, gender, breed, size, age, and whether or not they are good with children and other pets.
Adopt a Pet in Fort Worth, TX, today!
Now that you've seen just how many places there are to adopt a pet in Fort Worth and know the potential fees and requirements for adoption, it's time to start searching for your new fur baby!
At Local Pet Care, we're here to help you not only find the best places to adopt but also the best dog-friendly restaurants and the best dog parks and dog-friendly parks in Fort Worth. Plus, we'll help you find the best local pet care professionals near your home. With all of these resources, you will be set up for pet-parenting success!
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.