The Adoption Process
It’s easy to fall in love, but a pet is a big commitment. Make sure you are ready for the changes a pet will bring into your life. CHS adoption counselors are eager to help you find the right match for your family. The first step is to view the adoptable pets online:
Please note: Rescue Partner pets are not in CHS' care.
CHS’ pet adoption process depends on the pet’s location:
- Newington and Waterford: Start with an in-person application. Both locations are open every day from 12-4:30pm.
- Wilton: Starts with an in-person application. Wilton is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12-4:30pm.
All questionnaires, whether submitted online or in-person, will be considered in the order in which they are received. Please note that questionnaires are only accepted for pets that are currently available for adoption. CHS is unable to accept questionnaires for general inquiries or keep wait lists for specific breeds or pets with certain characteristics.
Once you’ve submitted your questionnaire, adoption counselors will help you match your lifestyle and preferences to the right pet. CHS staff and volunteers spend lots of time with the pets—learning their likes and dislikes, about their personalities and little quirks, the medical care they’ve received and so much more. That means you’ll get lots of information on available pets to help find the best match. If it seems like love is in the air, you will also have a chance to meet the pet.
If you and the pet are a match, you’ll complete your adoption paperwork, review the contract and documentation, and head home together! If it turns out that the pet you are interested in is not the right fit for you, adoption counselors will chat with you to determine if there are other pets available that might be a better match.
Preparing to Adopt
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General Adoption Guidelines
- Be 18 years old or older.
- Visit CHS in person.
- Complete an adoption questionnaire and participate in a conversation with a counselor(s).
- Show a valid driver’s license, or state or federal photo ID with your current address.
- You may be asked to provide landlord approval or proof of ownership. Avoid inconvenience and delay by bringing this paperwork along to the adoption.
- Adopting a pet impacts the entire household. Any children under 18, other family members, and family dogs living in the home may also be required to come meet the new pet.
- CHS does not authorize giving pets as gifts. The person who will be the owner of the new pet must be present and complete the adoption process. (Gift certificates are available as an option to give the gift of adoption.)
- Read, sign and abide by an adoption agreement.
While CHS tries to make the adoption process smooth, the adoption process isn’t necessarily a quick one and may require more than one visit. Just remember, it’s time well spent—it’s for your new family member, after all!
Adoption Fees & Benefits
What is the adoption fee and what’s included with the adoption fee?
Pets adopted from the Connecticut Humane Society have already been seen by the staff veterinary team, have a medical record, and are current on age-appropriate vaccines and parasite preventatives. Cats and dogs are microchipped. Your adoption fee will help pay for a portion of the medical, behavioral, and daily care your pet received at CHS.
Plus, CHS is here to continue to support you and your pet. If you run into questions or problems or just need your medical records reprinted, you can give us a call and the team will be glad to assist.
The adoption fee includes:
- Consultation with an adoption counselor to help you select the best companion for your lifestyle
- Spay/neuter for all eligible dogs, cats and rabbits
- Flea/tick treatment and deworming
- Basic age-appropriate vaccinations including rabies vaccination for dogs/cats over 3 months old
- Completed medical care for most illnesses/injuries discovered during their stay
- Microchip implant, registration, and tag for dogs, cats and rabbits
- Basic behavioral support after adoption
- Pet care information
Dog adoptions include:
- Heartworm testing (if 6 months or older)
- Collar and leash
- Temperament evaluation to help identify potential behavioral needs (if 6 months or older)
- Starter bag of Science Diet food (provided by Hills)
- For puppies up to 6 months old, the $445 adoption fee includes a $95 deposit towards positive reinforcement training classes. Ask an adoption counselor for more information.
Cat adoptions include:
- Testing for FeLV (feline leukemia) and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus)
- Stretch collar
- Cardboard carrier
- Starter bag of Science Diet food (provided by Hills)
Microchip Services
Microchip implant, registration, and tag for dogs, cats and rabbits! Pets chipped by the Connecticut Humane Society will have a 24PetWatch brand microchip. For more information about this service visit: 24PetWatch.com
- Only about 14% of lost dogs and 4% of lost cats are reunited with their families. A microchip is another method of ID and links your pet back to you and increases your chances of reuniting with your pet if they are lost.
- A microchip is the size of a grain of rice and implanted by a veterinarian or trained medical professional.
- Registration of 24PetWatch chips is free from the Connecticut Humane Society.
- If your pet goes missing, call 24PetWatch at 1-866-597-2424 and choose the “lost pet” option.
Some pets come to CHS already chipped with a different microchip brand. At the time of adoption, the microchip is registered in the 24PetWatch microchip database, but we recommend that all adopters contact the microchip company (HomeAgain, ACKReunite, etc.) to register your contact information with the chip manufacturer. There may be a small fee to update this information with the chip manufacturer, but ensuring all contact information is current gives your pet the best chance of return if they are lost.
The value of adopting a pet at CHS is priceless. The fees you would pay on the open market for similar services and benefits are significantly higher.
Canines:
Puppies up to 7 months: $445*
Dogs 7-12 months old: $275
Dogs 1-7 years old: $150
Dogs over 8 years old: $100
Felines:
Kittens up to 7 months: $300
Cats 7-12 months old: $200
Cats 1-7 years old: $140
Cats over 8 years old: $80
Small Animals:
Hamsters/mice/rats: $10
Guinea pigs: $25
Rabbits: $35
Ferrets: $70
Chinchillas: $100
Birds:
Finches: $5
Doves $15
Parakeets: $15
Lovebirds (in pairs): $50
Cockatiels: $40
Exotic Types: Market
Learn More
Interested in giving the gift of a pet? Picking a pet should be a personalized experience, so let your loved one pick out their own pet, and give them the gift of adoption with a gift certificate to cover the adoption fee. Contact the location nearest you for details.
Adoption FAQs
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How do I adopt a pet at CHS?
How do I adopt a pet from the Connecticut Humane Society? Where are CHS adoption centers located?
Start by viewing available pets online and then visit a CHS adoption location to complete an adoption questionnaire. An adoption counselor will help match your lifestyle, preferences, and household needs with an appropriate pet. CHS is located in Newington, Waterford and Wilton.
Are adoptions still available at the Westport location?
No. The Westport location is permanently closed.
Do I need to visit CHS in person to adopt a pet?
Yes. The adoption process begins with an in-person application and conversation with an adoption counselor.
How are adoption applications processed?
Applications and questionnaires are reviewed in the order they are received.
Can I apply for a pet before it becomes available? Does CHS maintain a waitlist?
No. Adoption questionnaires are only accepted for pets that are currently available for adoption. No waitlists are maintained for specific breeds, ages, sizes or other pet considerations.
What happens after I submit an adoption questionnaire?
An adoption counselor will review your information, discuss your lifestyle and preferences, and help identify pets that may be a good fit for your household.
Can I meet a pet before adopting? What if the pet is not the right fit.
Yes. If a pet appears to be a good match, you will have an opportunity to meet the pet before finalizing the adoption. Adoption counselors will recommend a better match for your needs of the pet you originally chose is not the right fit.
What are the adoption requirements?
How old do I have to be to adopt a pet?
You must be at least 18 years old to adopt a pet.
What identification is required for adoption?
Adopters must provide a valid:
- Driver’s license
- State-issued photo ID
- Federal-issued photo ID
The identification should include your current address.
Do I need landlord approval to adopt a pet?
Possibly. CHS may request landlord approval or proof of home ownership before completing an adoption.
Should I bring my family when adopting a pet?
Yes. Because pet adoption affects the entire household, family members may be asked to participate in the adoption process.
Do resident dogs need to meet the new pet?
Yes. Family dogs already living in the home may be required to participate in a meet-and-greet before adoption.
Can I adopt a pet as a gift for someone else?
No. CHS does not permit pets to be adopted as gifts. The future owner must be present and complete the adoption process personally. CHS suggests purchasing a gift certificate instead, which allows the recipient to select their own pet.
Do I need to sign an adoption agreement?
Yes. Adopters must review, sign, and agree to follow the adoption contract.
How long does the adoption process take?
The process varies depending on the pet and household circumstances. Some adoptions may require multiple visits to ensure the best match.
What benefits do I get for my adoption fee?
What does the adoption fee include?
Adoption fees help cover veterinary care, behavioral support, daily care, and shelter services provided while the pet was in CHS care.
Are adopted pets spayed or neutered?
Yes. Eligible dogs, cats, and rabbits are spayed or neutered before adoption.
Are vaccinations included with adoption?
Yes. Pets receive age-appropriate vaccinations, including rabies vaccinations for eligible dogs and cats.
Do adopted pets receive flea and parasite treatment?
Yes. Pets receive flea treatment, parasite prevention, and deworming as needed.
Are adopted pets microchipped?
Yes. Dogs, cats, and rabbits adopted from CHS are microchipped.
Does CHS provide post-adoption support?
Yes. Adopters can contact CHS for guidance, behavioral support, and assistance accessing medical records after adoption.
What is included with a dog adoption?
Dog adoptions typically include:
- Heartworm testing (for dogs six months and older)
- Collar and leash
- Behavioral assessment
- Starter bag of dog food
- A deposit towards training classes for puppies under 6 months old
What is included with a cat adoption?
Cat adoptions typically include:
- FeLV testing
- FIV testing
- Stretch collar
- Carrier
- Starter bag of food
What is a pet microchip? Why is it important?
A microchip is a permanent identification device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under a pet’s skin. A microchip significantly improves the chances of reuniting a lost pet with its family.
Is microchip registration included with adoption?
Yes. Registration of the microchip is included for pets adopted through CHS.
What should I do if my microchipped pet goes missing?
Report your pet as lost to the microchip registry immediately and notify local shelters, veterinarians, and animal control agencies.
How often are adoption listings updated?
CHS adoption listings are updated frequently throughout the day as pets become available.
Are pets in foster homes available for adoption?
Yes. Some adoptable pets may be living temporarily in foster homes while preparing for adoption.
Why aren't all adoptable pets listed online?
Many pets are still receiving medical treatment, behavioral support, or foster care and are not yet ready for adoption.
Why do some pets take longer to become available for adoption?
Some pets require:
- Medical treatment
- Recovery time
- Behavioral rehabilitation
- Socialization
- Additional observation before adoption
Where do adoptable pets at CHS come from?
Pets may arrive from:
- Families unable to continue caring for them
- Municipal animal control shelters
- Rescue organizations
- Stray animal cases
- Community animal welfare partnerships
