Adoptions

 Finding the Perfect Friend
 View Photos and Descriptions
 Select a Stray Animal for Adoption
 Procedures
 Requirements
 Adoption Fee
 Shelter Locations and Adoption Hours
 Testing and Vaccinations
 Disclaimer
 Frequently Asked Questions
 Adoption Application

Finding the Perfect Friend

Are you looking for that perfect lifelong friend? You’ve come to the right animal shelter. Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division has cats and dogs for adoption of every imaginable personality and breed at our two animal shelters.

What type of pet personality matches your lifestyle? Would you prefer a gentle dog for your children or one with lots of energy that will jog with you? How about a mellow and affectionate pet that will cuddle in your lap? If you are very busy, you may be looking for an independent cat? We have puppies and kittens with boundless energy to play for hours.

What type of breed are you looking for? We have dogs tall enough to kiss your face or dogs small enough to kiss your ankles. Do you want a dog that you can pick up with one hand or one that will weigh more than you? We have cats who will be invisible in the night or cats that stand out like a shining lighthouse. You name the breed and we will have it from the minute Mexican Hairless dog to the massive Mastiff, from the Domestic Short Hair cat to the Maine Coon cat. Don’t forget all the multitude of mixed breed variations from the terrific Terrier mix to the super Shepherd mix and loving Lab mix.

Remember, bringing a new pet into your family is a decision that comes with a 10-20 year commitment for the life of the animal. The decision should involve the whole family. Take all the time you need to get familiar with the animal before you make this important decision.

Photos and Descriptions

View photos and descriptions online of all the adoptable dogs and  cats. This online feature is updated hourly. Animal Care now allows prospective adopters to have the first opportunity to adopt a stray animal if it is not returned to its owner. If you see an adoptable animal you want to adopt or if you would like to adopt a stray animal, you need to visit the shelter, meet the animal, and complete the appropriate paperwork.

Select a Stray Animal for Adoption

Animal Care shelters almost 20,000 stray cats and dogs each year. The stray animals not returned to their owners become available for adoption after the holding period is over. The holding period is a minimum of five days for animals with identification and a minimum of three days for animals without identification. A prospective adopter can select a stray dog or cat and have the first opportunity if it becomes available for adoption. Most adopters select small dogs and pure breeds this way. Simply follow these six easy steps to select a stray animal for adoption:

1. Look through the stray kennels for the dog or cat you want to adopt.
2. Bring the animal history card to the reception area.
3. Complete the adoption application.
4. Present the animal history card and the completed adoption application to the customer service representative.
5. If approved, leave a $5 nonrefundable deposit. If the animal is not returned to its original owner, the clinic staff will perform a health exam and sterilization. You will receive a call when your pet is ready. If the animal is returned to its owner, Animal Care will hold and use the $5 deposit toward another animal you want to adopt.
6. Return to the shelter and pay the remaining $69.95 of the adoption fee. Then you can take home your new lifelong friend immediately.

Procedures

There are only four steps in the Adoption Procedure
You select the animal you want to adopt.

1. Take the Animal History card to the reception area.
2. Complete the adoption application.
3. If approved, pay the adoption fee of $74.95, cash or credit card. You can take home your new friend for life immediately.

Requirements

You have to meet several adoption requirements before we will allow you to adopt a cat or dog.

1. You must 18 years or older to adopt.
2. Provide a valid photo identification such as a driver’s license.
3. Provide proof of your current address such as a utility bill or driver’s license.
4. If you rent, you must provide your landlord’s phone number and your landlord must approve the animal being on his or her property. We will call the landlord and if we cannot reach him or her, this will delay the approval of your adoption application.
5. If you already have cats or dogs at home, they must be current on their rabies vaccinations and license tags.
6. Certain breeds may require a home visit by an Animal Care Officer before we can approve the Adoption Application. These breeds include but are not limited to: Pit Bull, Akita, Doberman, Rottweiler, Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian, and Chow. There may be other requirements depending on the individual dog or cat you want to adopt.
7. If you plan to keep the dog outside, we require a fenced yard and a location where the dog can be protected from the hot sun and rain. An Animal Care Officer will visit your home before we can approve the Adoption Application.

Even with these requirements, about 95% of the adopters can take home their pet immediately.

back to top

Adoption Fee

There is a $74.95 adoption fee per animal (cat or dog). We will accept payment in cash, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa, sorry no personal checks. When you adopt a new friendly feline or cuddly canine, the fee includes the following services, medical procedures, and items:

• Health exam from our veterinary staff
• Series of first vaccinations (for a complete list refer to Testing and Vaccinations)
• Heartworm test for dogs
• De-worming
• Feline leukemia/AIDS test for cats
• Spaying or neutering (sterilization)
• 14-day return policy
• County animal license tag
• Leash or cat carrier
• Food samples and coupons

Shelter Locations and Adoption Hours

Fort Lauderdale Shelter
Address: 1870 Southwest 39 Street
(on the southwest corner of the Airport Perimeter Road).
Phone Number: 954-359-1313
Fax: 954-359-1349

Pompano Beach Shelter
Address: 3100 Northwest 19 Terrace
(east of Powerline Road between Copans and Sample)
Phone Number 954-359-8278
Fax: 954-359-8279

back to top

Testing and Vaccinations for Adoptable Animals

Animal Care’s veterinary staff performs a medical exam which includes de-worming and a variety of tests on cats and dogs to identify medical problems. The animals are also vaccinated to prevent diseases to ensure that only healthy animals are placed for adoption. Staff tests dogs for heartworm. Dogs receive vaccinations to prevent rabies, parvo, parainfluenza, bordetella, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and coronavirus. Cats receive the feline leukemia and feline AIDS tests. Cats are vaccinated to prevent rabies, distemper, rhinotracheitis, and calici.

Disclaimer

The Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division (ACaRD) makes a substantial effort to assure that adoptable animals are in good health. It is possible the undetectable illnesses or conditions may be present or incubating at the time of adoption. Therefore, ACaRD does NOT make any guarantees as to age, behavior, breed, health temperament, or ultimate size of the animal.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the adoption procedure?

After you select the animal you want to adopt, take the Animal History card to the reception area, complete an adoption application, and, if approved, pay the fee (cash or credit card). In most cases, you can take home your new friend for life immediately.

How long do the Animals stay up for adoption?

There is no time limit for the vast majority of adoptable animals as long as they remain healthy. Some pets have been available for adoption for only minutes. Others have been adopted after several months.

Where do the Animals come from?

About 75% of our adoptable animals were stray animals that were not redeemed by their owners. The remaining 25% were surrendered by their owners for a variety of reasons.

Do you have puppies that will stay small?

The most common puppies available for adoption will grow to become medium or large dogs. We do have puppies that will stay small but, they are not as common.

Do you have a specific breed of dog or cat?

Our selection of adoptable animals changes hourly. You can call our Adoption Staff at 954-359-1313 ext. 229 after 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday for the latest information on the breeds available for adoption in the Fort Lauderdale shelter. Call 954-970-0130 Monday through Friday after 10 a.m. to speak with the Adoption Staff at our Pompano Beach Animal shelter.

back to top

Adoption Application

You can save time by completing the Adoption Application before you visit one of our animal shelters. Print the application on your home printer, answer the questions, and sign the form in the space provide on the bottom.

Bring the completed application to the shelter. After you select your lifelong friend at our shelter, bring the Animal History card along with the completed application to the Customer Service Counter where a representative will process your adoption application.

The Adoption Application below was created in a Portable Document Format (PDF). To obtain a copy of Acrobat Reader, used for downloading, viewing, and printing this publication, Click Here. This is a one time process, please follow the installation and browser configuration instructions provided by Adobe Acrobat.

ADOPTION APPLICATION-- .pdf (29 KB)

Domestic Wildlife Adoptions from the Wildlife Care Center

Shelter Maps

back to top