Adopt a dog today!
Dog Adoption fee: $110 – Every adoptable dog is spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccines and flea/heartworm prevention.
Each receives a 4DX test (heartworm + tick-borne illness) upon intake and after each year spent with us.
Complete an Adoption Application to schedule a meet and greet, or stop by from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Questions? Check out our Adoption FAQ section, or reach out using our contact form.
Adoption Frequently Asked Questions
What is your adoption process? How long does it take?
The first step in any adoption is to complete an Adoption Application. Once our adoption team verifies the details, we will set up a meet-and-greet with other dogs (if needed) and a time for you to make sure this pet is the right choice for your life.
Our adoption team works hard to process applications as quickly as possible. Ensuring all information on your application is accurate, including phone numbers and contact information for veterinarians and landlords, will guarantee a speedier processing time.
We will reach out via email or phone with any questions or to set a meet and greet time.
Do you have any requirements for adoption?
We require all other cats and dogs in the home to be spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccines. We will ask for verification via your veterinarian or documentation. Some exceptions will be made for certain circumstances if we feel the situation is appropriate.
Applicants who rent their home must provide valid contact information for a landlord or proof within a lease that you are permitted to have pets.
What kind of care/vaccines have your animals received while in the shelter?
All animals in our care are spayed/neutered (if old enough), up to date on core vaccines, and kept on regular flea and heartworm prevention during their stay with us. Your adoption fee helps us cover these costs of care.
Our food is donation-based, so it can vary. However, we generally try to feed dogs Purina Dog Chow or Pedigree and cats Purina Cat Chow or Friskies.
Do I need an appointment to meet the animals?
Drop by anytime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome during those times.
We are open by appointment only Monday through Wednesday. Complete an adoption application to schedule an appointment.
I’m interested in adopting a dog or cat but want to make sure she is a good fit. How can your organization help me do that?
We want to make sure every dog or cat we place in a home will stay there for the rest of its lifetime. We offer many options for adopters who want to make sure the pet is going to be the right fit:
- Knowledgeable staff: Our team includes professional behavioral staff who can assess your needs and goals and help match you with the best options. We spend countless hours getting to know the personality quirks and behavioral/emotional/physical needs of every animal in our care and will use that knowledge to find the best fit for your life.
- Doggy Day Out: Want to see how a dog fits into your life beyond the shelter? Take her out for a day! Get to know how her beyond shelter walls or even take her home for a sleepover before making an adoption commitment.
- Fostering: Our foster-to-adopt program allows potential adopters to spend more time making sure a dog or cat is a good fit for their life. Let the pet start to acclimate to life beyond the shelter and really get to know if they are the right match for your family. This is a low-stakes commitment that does not require you to complete an adoption contract until you are ready (within a reasonable timeframe).
- Volunteer: Spend some time with all of our animals. We have a rotating cast of dogs and cats, so you never know who may just capture your heart.
- Understanding environment: We want to find the best match for every animal in our care. Sometimes that means discovering they aren’t a perfect match for a family who takes them home. And that’s OK! We do not shame those who feel returning a dog or cat to the shelter is the best choice for their lives. We will do all we can to help you work through problems, but sometimes the dog or cat is just not the right fit. Little Victories welcomes them back with open arms and will even help find a better match for an adopter, if appropriate.
I have another dog at home. Can I bring them to meet the dog I am interested in adopting? What will that look like?
Once an adoption application is approved, our adoption team will schedule a formal meet and greet with your current dog. We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing another dog to the shelter until that meet and greet appointment is set.
During a formal meet and greet, our behavior team will walk you through the steps of an introduction that guarantees the safety of both dogs and humans. Please make sure your dog has a flat or martingale collar and a draggable leash (we can provide if needed). Dogs will go for a brief walk together before meeting in our play field.
Can you put me on a list for a certain breed, size, etc. of dog/cat?
Due to our limited staff, it is very difficult for us to maintain a call/wait list for certain breeds or traits. We do, however, update our website as soon as a dog or cat becomes available. Keep an eye on our adoptable pets or set up alerts through Petfinder and Adopt-A-Pet.
What should I bring with me on the day of adoption?
Adopting a dog: Collar and leash (we can provide, if needed), driver’s license or valid ID, payment method of your choice (cash, card, or check), any questions you have for our behavior team.
Adopting a cat: Size-appropriate carrier (we can provide if needed), driver’s license or valid ID, payment method of your choice (cash, card, or check), any questions you have for our behavior team.
What happens if the dog/cat turns out to be a bad fit for my home?
We are here to help! If the dog/cat is having a hard time adjusting or showing unwanted behaviors, we will do everything we can to work through them with you. Check out our list of topics under Resources to find answers to many common questions. We also have very knowledgeable, professionally certified behavioral staff who will be happy to walk you through steps you can take to overcome these problems.
If issues persist or circumstances no longer allow you to keep the dog or cat, we welcome every member of the Little Victories family back to the shelter. We understand that not every adoption is the best fit and will work with you to ease the stress of return.
What kind of post-adoption resources do you provide?
Check out our list of post-adoption resources. We are also happy to talk to adopters about any questions, issues, or advice they may request at any time. Leave a voicemail at 304-743-5802, or send an email to info@littlevictories.org detailing your question. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.