For dogs, puppies, cats, kittens or small animals:

Adoptions are done on a first-come, first-served basis. In general, the adoption process can take anywhere from an hour to several hours, depending on the volume of customers in the shelter. We greatly appreciate your patience during these more hectic times.

1. The adoption process starts when you visit the shelter during open hours to meet your potential pet. (Adoptions stop 30 minutes before closing to ensure staff has time to complete the paperwork.)
2. Stop by the front desk if you need help navigating the shelter or have specific questions about an animal.
3. After informing a front desk staff member, you are able to meet with the animal one-on-one in one of our adoption rooms.
4. If you like the animal, you fill out an adoption questionnaire. NOTE: if you are looking at adult dogs and have resident dogs, we require a dog-to-dog meet before our shelter dog can go home. In order to do a dog-to-dog meet, you first must fill out an adoption questionnaire.
5. Staff reviews and approves your paperwork. If approval is granted, we do another 20 minutes of paperwork and you take the animal home directly afterward. For liability reasons, we cannot hold onto an animal after an adoption is processed.

Adoptions are done with the best interest of the pets in mind. We attempt to match the right person with the right pet. We ask each person surrendering a pet to provide detailed information about the pet. We are always happy to share what information we can about a pet and to help you find the right pet for your home.

Adopted pets are:

• Spayed or neutered
• Given initial vaccinations
• Dewormed
• Microchipped (animals over 3 months old)
• Heartworm tested (dogs over 6 months old)
• Tested for FELV/FIV (cats over 3 months old)

All cats must leave the shelter in a carrier. If you do not bring one with you, one must be purchased at the shelter for $5.00 plus tax.

Adult dogs must leave the premises on a leash. Friendship APL retains our leashes and collars. You may purchase a temporary slip lead, buy something more permanent from our gift shop, or bring your own.

Adopt a Cat at Petco

Friendship APL partners with Petco Love and our local Petco stores in Elyria and Avon to help more cats find loving homes. Interested adopters are welcome to visit either Petco location to meet adoptable cats and kittens in person.

When you adopt from one of our Petco locations, Petco staff will process the adoption, allowing you to take your new feline friend home directly from the store.

Please note that adoption fees at Petco may appear higher than our standard in-shelter adoption fees. However, these fees include all associated costs, such as the adoption fee, carrier, and service fees that help support the adoption processing system.

Petco Adoption Fees:

• Kittens: $70
• Adult Cats: $35

All Friendship APL cats and kittens are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and receive age-appropriate veterinary care prior to adoption.

Stop by Petco today and find your new best friend!

Questions?

Please feel free to give us a call at (440) 322-4321 or email us with any questions regarding adoptable pets or our adoption process. Or stop in during our business hours.

Adopting an animal of your own is a big commitment. If now is not the right time for you to adopt, please consider fostering one of our wonderful animals or making a gift to Friendship APL.