Pet Adoptions

Adoption Hours

Monday: Closed

*Tuesday-Thursday: 10am-6pm

Friday: Noon-7pm

Saturday: 10am-4pm

Sunday: Closed

*The Adoption Center will be closed Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25 for the Christmas holiday.

While we encourage all adoptions to be completed 30 minutes prior to closing, it is to be understood that our mission is to find the pets in our care homes, which may require Adoptions to be completed up to and past our time of closing. 

No appointment is required. 

The adoption fees we collect help us provide food, shelter, important medical care, and treatment for the animals.

 
We complete all adoptions digitally, so we can either text a checkout link to your mobile phone or you can complete the process using one of our devices. We accept debit/credit cards.

Additional Fees

• There is a $13 fee for your Sarasota County Rabies License and Tag. If you are not a Sarasota County resident, you will be provided with all the paperwork you need to obtain a Rabies License and Tag in your county.
• The purchase of heartworm prevention is highly recommended for dogs over six months. Prices vary from $35 to $50 for a six-month supply, depending on the weight of the dog. All preventives can be purchased at the Animal Clinic of the Humane Society of Sarasota County. All prescriptions require a physical exam.

Adopters Receive:

• $10 discount on your first K-9 Obedience Training Course.
• Microchip registered with Michelson Found Animals Registry.

Adoption Programs:

Military Adoption Program: The Humane Society of Sarasota County's Military Adoption Program is made possible by Sun Outdoors Sarasota. Thanks to Sun Outdoors Sarasota's generosity, adoption fees are waived for all active‐duty and veteran members of the U.S. Armed Forces when they adopt a companion animal from HSSC. Service members simply need to show proof of military service, and their adoption fee is covered. While not trained service animals, HSSC adoptable animals are guaranteed to provide love and support and be a true comrades in arms.

Seniors for Seniors Adoption Program: The Humane Society of Sarasota County's Seniors for Seniors Adoption Program is made possible by the Wenk Family Charitable Foundation. Thanks to a generous grant, adoption fees are waived for older adults (ages 65+) adopting a senior animal (ages 7+) from HSSC. The program was developed to help older adults enjoy pet companionship while providing a loving home to an animal in need.

• A current and valid photo ID. Adopters must be at least 18 years old. The animal must reside with the person(s) listed on the adoption contract. We recommend that all family members or roommates meet the animal.
• If you rent a house or apartment, we ask that you be aware of any breed or size restrictions your housing association or landlord may have in place. 
• If you are interested in adopting a dog and you already have a dog(s) at home, you may bring them with you for a meet and greet with your new potential pet, but it is not necessary. It is very important that your current pets are up to date on vaccinations and heartworm preventives. Please bring someone with you to hold your dog while you look at our adoptable animals. Owned pets are not allowed any further than the lobby and dog intros are done outside.  We ask that you DO NOT bring cats in for a meet and greet.
• Bring a leash and collar for dogs and puppies (no choke collars or chains) or a carrier for cats and kittens. If you prefer to purchase these items at the time of adoption, we have a variety of reasonably priced options for sale.

• You may begin your adoption search by looking at available animals on hssc.org. The website is updated in real time, if an animal is showing as available, please come in to meet them. No appointment is needed. If an animal is listed as being with an ambassador foster, please contact us to arrange a meet & greet by sending an email to [email protected].
• All potential adopters are required to check-in upon arrival. You will then have the option to visit our cat and dog areas, or you can indicate the name of the pet you are there to meet.
• There are special spaces where you can interact with the animal. You can take as much time as you need to decide if you would like to adopt. Our Adoption Counselors and Matchmakers will seek to understand what you are looking for in a pet. They know our available animals and are very skilled at suggesting animals that are likely to be a good fit.
• If you wish to bring your dog to meet another dog you are considering adopting, a special space is designated for that. Please communicate your interest in doing so to a member of our team.
• Once you decide to adopt, simply complete the adopter information form at our front desk.
• An Adoption Counselor will process the paperwork and transfer custody of the pet to you. Meanwhile, the pet will receive a final “med check.” In most cases, you can take your pet home that day.
• You will receive an email with your pet’s medical history and a copy of the adoption contract, plus other helpful information. Please review these items when you get home and make sure to schedule any follow-up appointments your veterinarian.

Plan to spend at least an hour at HSSC to complete the adoption process. 

HSSC does not maintain a waiting list because we have no way to guarantee what animals will be available or when. We encourage those looking to adopt to regularly visit our available dogs and cats pages. Keep an open mind, too. We regularly see adopters fall in love with animals they never considered until they visited the shelter. Our Adoption Counselors and Matchmakers are excellent at helping your find the dog or cat who is right for you.

HSSC welcomes the community to come in and take a look at the animals we have available for adoption. You can also digitally browse our available animals on our website, which is updated in real-time. Animals that are not on the cats or dogs pages are not available.

There is always an adjustment period with a new pet, especially if you have other pets in the home. HSSC can help you manage the adjustment. Several handouts are available in the Adoption Center and in our Pet Health & Safety section.

If you have any questions, issues, or concerns about your pet once you get home, please contact us. Your Adoption Counselor can ease the transition and can refer you to a variety of resources.

Make sure to schedule any follow-up appointments with your veterinarian.