Adopt a Dog, Cat, Puppy, or Kitten!

How to Adopt from the Shelter

Ready to adopt? Visit the shelter. You are welcome to bring your dog to check compatibility with the dog you’d like to adopt.
View pets online at Adopt a Pet, Facebook, or 24PetConnect. Only some of the shelter’s available dogs and cats are listed online.
Adoption fee is $80–110 for dogs, and $50–70 for cats. Some cats and dogs have a discounted adoption fee, thanks to donations or if the animal is already spayed or neutered. See below for the benefits of adopting from the shelter.
Seeking a specific breed, size, sex, age, etc.? Visit or call the shelter with your request, and the shelter staff will let you know when an animal matches your critieria!
Rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and ferrets occasionally become available also. Tell the shelter staff that you’re interested so they can contact you.

Shawn and Denise, residents of Pinson, came to the Blount County shelter seeking a dog who might be older or who had been overlooked. To make sure the adopted dog would be compatible with their own dog, they brought Tyberius, left, a Cairn Terrier mix they took in after he was abandoned in a dog park. After a first compatibility test with a dog who was perhaps a little too active, big, and playful for the smaller Ty, Tildie had a go. This sweet, quiet girl, probably a Pointer mix, met Ty with curiosity and concern, then quickly warmed up to her soon-to-be pal. Photo by Kristin Yarbrough — Shawn and Denise, residents of Pinson, came to the Blount County shelter seeking a dog who might be older or who had been overlooked. To make sure the adopted dog would be compatible with their own dog, they brought Tyberius (left), a Cairn Terrier mix they took in after he was abandoned in a dog park. After a first compatibility test with a dog who was perhaps a little too active, big, and playful for Ty, Tildie (right) had her meet-and-greet. This sweet, quiet girl, probably a Pointer mix, met Ty with curiosity and concern, then quickly warmed up to her soon-to-be pal.

What is Included with Adoption?

Although it may be tempting to choose a free kitten or puppy from the myriad offers on Facebook or from neighbors, families are “most definitely better off adopting from the shelter,” according to shelter director Karen Startley. Here are a few of the benefits:

All shelter animals receive age-appropriate vaccinations and treatment for intestinal parasites and fleas.
Adult cats and dogs go home after a spay or neuter and rabies vaccination; kittens and puppies go home with a voucher to be used once they reach 3 months old.
Cats receive a RVRCP vaccine (feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicvirus, feline panelukopenia) every two weeks along with treatments for internal and external parasites. A feline leukemia and FIV test is available for an additional $20.
The shelter also offers microchipping for $10. Microchipping is a secure and inexpensive way to improve the odds of reuniting with your lost pet. While collars can get caught or be removed, a microchip is a permanent identification so long as the owner’s contact information is kept current.