To adopt a pet at OHS, you'll need to fill out an adoption application and complete an interview with an adoption specialist. What's more important, though, is everything that comes before the application and the interview; namely, finding the best match possible for you.

More details about finding the right pet and how the adoption process works at OHS:

• Finding the right pet
• Understanding what it means to adopt
• OHS adoption procedures
• Benefits of adopting from OHS
• Adoption booklets: caring for your new pet

Finding the right pet

• Visit the Find Your Match section and and learn about the fit between your lifestyle and your pet's needs.
• You'll next want to read the pet descriptions on this website with these lifestyle issues in mind. Photos and descriptions of all cats and kittens, dogs and puppies, and small animals available for adoption on our website are updated continuously.
• Visit the shelter and meet our wonderful pets. You'll want to take this opportunity to ask questions of our adoption counselors, who can offer their experience in helping you find your new best friend.

Understanding What it Means to Adopt

• Questions to ask before adopting a pet.
• The cat adoption checklist and dog adoption checklist contain information on what you need to do once you bring your new pet home.
• The Pet Care & Advice section has a wealth of information for pet owners.

OHS Adoption Procedures

• Visitors can meet one-on-one with pets in our "get acquainted" rooms. We encourage the whole family to visit the shelter and meet the prospective new member of the family. If you have a dog, we encourage you to bring your dog to OHS to meet the dog you are considering adopting. A "pet meet" between canines is a good way to see if your dog will get along with a new addition to the family (sorry, but you will need to leave the family dog or the family cat at home when meeting a cat available for adoption).
• To meet one of the animals in foster care, contact the Foster Care Department via email or call (503) 285-7722 to set up an appointment. If provided in the animal's description, you may directly email the foster care volunteer.
• If your pet meet is a success, you'll need to complete an adoption application (please do not fax or email the application, although you can download it and fill it out before you visit).
• You will be interviewed by an OHS adoption assistant to be sure you are familiar with any special needs the animal might have.
• We have a variable adoption fee policy based on an animal's age, breed, temperament, behavioral issues, and physical condition. Learn more here.
  
  

Benefits of Adopting from OHS

When you visit OHS, you'll find the largest selection of animals in the area and experienced, caring staff who can help you make the best choice. You'll have the chance to get to meet pets one-on-one in special "get acquainted" rooms. We encourage dog owners to bring their current dog for a "pet meet" at OHS when you select a new dog to adopt.

 

To help fight pet overpopulation, every animal adopted from OHS is spayed or neutered before it goes to a new home. If an animal has a special issues, an OHS behavior expert or medical team member will meet with the adopting family to make sure they understand the animal's needs.

 

The adoption fee for dogs and cats includes an identification microchip, collar and identification tag, initial vaccinations (rabies and FeLV/FIV usually not included), a certificate for a free veterinarian examination, and plenty of support and information from the experienced staff at OHS.

 

Your New Pet: Adoption Booklets

Among the benefits of adopting from OHS are these informational guides to your new pet. Inside, find tips and resources about preparing your home, introducing the pet to family and other pets, behavior and training, and much more.

 

• Cat Adoption Booklet
• Dog Adoption Booklet