Adoption Through ACPS
ACPS’ mission includes finding new homes for adoptable animals through adoption and the city’s network of placement partners.
The steps in the adoption process are:
- View adoptable pets online or in person at the shelter.
- Complete an adoption application, which includes proof of identity and residence, and review of responsibilities for care.
- Adopt the pet—most animals are vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed/neutered before placement.
Animal Care and Protective Services strives to match pets with suitable homes and offers guidance during the adoption process.
Pet Placement Partner (PPP) Program
ACPS works with approved rescue organizations (Pet Placement Partners) to help place animals that might not be quickly adopted directly from the shelter.
These partners can pull animals from ACPS after the stray-hold period or at agreed times and ACPS provides each partner with medical and behavioral info, vaccines and medical treatments given so far, and transport coordination. After transfer, placement partners assume legal ownership and responsibility for the animals until they are adopted to a new home.
This program increases the number of animals that find homes and helps manage shelter capacity.
Finding Lost Pets & Reunification
ACPS maintains records and an “Animals in Shelter” list of pets currently held—you can check this to see if your lost pet is there.
Microchipping and up-to-date tags are strongly recommended to speed up reunification.
If a pet is not reclaimed within the mandatory hold period, it becomes eligible for adoption or transfer through ACPS or partners.