Adopting an animal is a fulfilling experience. It is a commitment between you and your new furry friend – one that changes the life of the pet and the adopter. When you choose to adopt, you also make room in the shelter for another homeless pet to find their new family.

Walk-Ins Welcome, but Appointments Suggested

Walk-ins are always welcome, but we encourage appointments to ensure we’re fully prepared for your visit. Scheduling in advance also helps us coordinate with foster homes for shelter animals, so we can provide the best experience possible. Appointments are required for Sunday and Wednesday visits.

Please Bring Your Dog(s) for Introductions

If you have a dog and are interested in adopting a dog-friendly shelter dog, we ask that you bring your current pup along for a visit to make sure everyone gets along before making a commitment.

24-Hour Hold Option

After speaking with a team member, you can reserve a furry friend for up to 24 hours with a $10 non-refundable hold fee. This payment will be applied toward the total adoption fee, should you decide to adopt that animal. Please note, holds do not guarantee adoption and can only be placed once per pet. Holds are required to pull animals from foster homes.

Leashes & Carriers

All dogs must leave on a leash, and cats must leave in a carrier for safety reasons. We sell cardboard carriers for $6 at the shelter.

Adoption package:

We’re here to get you and your new furry family member off on the right paw. That’s why all AVHS dog & cat adoptions include:

• Spay/Neuter
• Appropriate core vaccinations
• De-wormer
• Combo tested
  • FIV/FeLV for cats
  • Heartworm/Tick-borne illness for dogs
• Microchip

Transfer Animal Give-Back Fees

All animals transferred into AVHS have a “Give-Back Fee” added to their adoption fee ($20 for dogs, $10 for cats). 100% of these fees directly support the spay/neuter efforts of our transfer partners. By adopting one of these pets, you’re not only saving a life, you’re also preventing pet overpopulation.