Adopt a Pet
Why Adopt?
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter not only gives a loving home to an animal in need but also supports efforts to reduce pet overpopulation. Shelter pets often come vaccinated, spayed, or neutered, and ready to become cherished members of your family. By adopting, you're making a compassionate choice that positively impacts both the life of the pet and the community.
Adopt a Pet
The best place to view photos of animals is our Facebook Page. It is updated regularly and you can view a photo of the animal and see its availability. We also maintain a spreadsheet of available animals that is updated in real-time.
How to Adopt
Final adoption process must take place at the Animal Shelter at 160 Adoption Way, Salisbury. You must be 18 years old and bring a legal ID with you. We cannot hold animals for you based on a phone call or email. We accept cash or card, no checks please. Most animals can be taken home the same day.
Holds
Some animals that you may see are being held for a stray hold period, which is a 72 business hour hold for animals that are brought in as strays. This hold allows owner’s of animals a chance to locate their missing pet before the animal is placed up for adoption.
Other animals may be on hold pending a spay/neuter appointment with the Shelter’s Veterinarian. The Adoption Waiting List Form allows adopters interested in those animals to be placed on a waiting list.
All other available animals are first come/first served. We cannot hold animals for you based on a phone call or email.
Last Day
Because of the number of animals we see, we have to project our space availability and predict a date by which the animal needs to be adopted ("last day").
Cost
Dogs & Puppies - $85
- 1 year rabies vaccination
- Initial DHHP Vaccine - protects against Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Adenovirus 1 and 2, Canine Parainfluenza, and Canine Parvovirus
- Bordetella Vaccine - protects against kennel cough
- De-worming
- Microchip
- Heartworm Test (if over 6 months old; if safe/feasible).
- Spay/Neuter: $70 voucher for outside services (shelter vet services temporarily unavailable)
(Animals originally received already spayed/neutered are available for adoption for $15 to cover vaccine costs.)
Cats & Kittens - $80
- 1 year rabies vaccination
- Initial FVRCP Vaccine - protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleukopenia
- De-worming
- Flea treatment
- Microchip
- Spay/Neuter by our shelter veterinarian or a $70 voucher for outside services if unavailable due to age or other reasons.
(Animals originally received already spayed/neutered are available for adoption for $15 to cover vaccine costs.)
Other Pets
- Please inquire with our front desk staff for details regarding adoption fees.
Adoption Policies
- All stray animals are held for a minimum of 3 working days before they are released for adoption. Applications may be submitted to allow animals still on their stray holding period to be reserved for adoption on the date of their availability in the order that applications are received. Complete the Adoption Application Form.
- Animals surrendered by their owners or those who have completed their 3-day stray hold without receiving applications are made available for adoption on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not accept down-payments for animals or hold them for individuals outside of the stray hold application process.
- Most animals can go home the same day they are adopted.
- The $80-$85 adoption fee is the same for the general public as well as a rescue organization, unless the rescue organization has been approved through our Rescue Group Adoption Program. Learn more about our Rescue Group Adoption Program
- No adoptions will be processed after 4 p.m. weekdays and 3 p.m. on Saturdays due to daily closing procedures.
- It is recommended to arrange a meet-and-greet session between your dog and the adoptable dog before finalizing the adoption process. You must provide proof of a valid bordetella vaccine for your pet before arranging a meet-and-greet.
- We do not allow meet-and-greets between dogs and cats.
Special Adoption Events
In 2016, the Rowan County Board of Commissioners generously approved 12 annual special reduced price adoption events. View and subscribe the Calendar of Events for more information.
80% Off All Adoptions
- $16 for all unaltered cats
- $17 for all unaltered dogs
- $3 for all altered animals
Spay/Neuter Vouchers
A spay/neuter voucher may be provided as part of the adoption process when applicable. This voucher has a value of $70 and can be used toward the cost of a spay or neuter procedure. Our adoption contract requires that all animals adopted through us be spayed or neutered. The voucher is accepted by most veterinarians in Rowan County, and many veterinarians in surrounding counties also accept it and submit it directly to Rowan County for reimbursement.
If you live further from us or if you like using a veterinarian that does not accept the voucher, then you may submit it yourself for reimbursement with proper documentation from the veterinarian of the surgery. Information on how an adopter can submit a voucher reimbursement can be found using this form, Individual Voucher Reimbursement Form
Introducing a Shelter Dog to Your Home Guide
Learn how to help a newly adopted dog adjust to your home, establish safe routines, and introduce the dog to children and household pets.
Introducing a Shelter Cat to Your Home Guide
Learn how to help a newly adopted cat adjust to your home, establish safe routines, and introduce the cat to children and household pets.