Thank you for choosing adoption! PAWS has multiple adoption locations so please use the location menu and location instructions on the links below to find your perfect fit.
*ATTENTION: In an effort to keep our staff and adopters safe and healthy, we are doing adoptions by appointment only. If you are interested in adoption, please fill out an application and our staff will get you scheduled to meet the pet of your choice.
Please be aware that all household members, including children and other dogs (if adopting a dog), will need to do a meet and greet before the adoption process can be completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once you make a decision to adopt we will ask you to fill out a Dog Adoption Application or a Cat Adoption Application and an adoption contract. Because we love every dog and cat in the shelter, we, quite naturally, screen applicants to help make sure that each pet goes to a permanent and loving home.
The adoption fees cover the shelter and care of the animals and help us continue on our mission.
Dogs ready for adoption have received:
- Dewormer (hookworms, roundworms, whipworms)
- Vaccinations for kennel cough, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and rabies*
- Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Heartworm testing**
- Microchip
- Spay or neuter surgery
Cats ready for adoption have received:
- Dewormer (hookworms, roundworms, whipworms)
- Vaccinations for feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panlekopenia, and rabies*
- Flea and tick prevention
- FeLV and FIV testing
- Microchip
- Spay or neuter surgery
*Animals must be over three months of age to receive a rabies vaccination.
**Dogs must be over the age of six months to receive heartworm testing
PAW UP Training Program
Thanks to a generous grant from The Petco Foundation, we are able to provide personalized, in-home behavioral and training assistance to new dog adopters, if the need should arise.
Once you have adopted from PAWS, if you feel you need assistance from a behaviorist, simply contact us so we can set you up with our trainer.
*Due to COVID, we are currently offering online assistance and scheduled in-person trainings at a designated area in South Austin.
Although we do everything we can for our animals while they are in our care, we cannot guarantee their health.
We recommend you visit a veterinarian for a thorough exam within 14 days of taking your new pet home. We have wonderful veterinarians in our area that are willing to waive the initial exam fee for newly adopted pets.
We’ll be happy to help you find a vet in your area if you do not already have one.
Pets for Patriots
To promote the human-animal bond and reduce the chance of adopted animals being surrendered to shelters, Pets for Patriots provides veterans with various benefits to make pet guardianship more affordable over the life of the pet, including ‘welcome home’ contributions for pet food and other essentials, access to high-quality, discounted veterinary care, and discounts on a range of pet-related goods and services. Click here to learn more and apply. Individuals who provide proper documentation via Pets for Patriots qualify to have their adoption fee waived.