Note: If you have a question about a specific pet or policies at a shelter, please contact them directly. Asking Petfinder will delay your search for a pet, since each shelter manages its own pet list and information on Petfinder.com. Read on for more answers.
Petfinder.com is a searchable list of pets from thousands of shelters and foster groups. Begin your search using our Pet Search (at the top of this page). Since Petfinder is updated on a daily basis, we recommend you keep checking back or save your query so we’ll send you an automatic e-mail when new pets are added that match your search (after you search for a pet, click on “Save This Query” at the bottom of the page).
You can also search by using our Breed List.
We have specially trained staff dedicated to answering questions from shelter workers and placement groups. If you are a SHELTER or PLACEMENT GROUP and you need to know how to use Petfinder.com or need technical assistance about your pet account, then click here.
Please directly contact the animal welfare organization that is caring for this pet. This information can be found on the group’s home page or under the pet’s picture on their description page. Please don’t contact Petfinder.com about individual pets. We don’t have any information other than what is posted on their page so contacting us will slow your search and time may be of the essence.
Congratulations on your efforts to help this animal. First, please read Tips on Finding a Home for a Pet. This library article will guide you through the steps to finding a suitable home. You may want to look through our list of adoption groups to find those in your area. Contact them directly to find out what assistance, if any, they may be able to offer you.
Adoption policies vary greatly from shelter to shelter, so please don’t contact Petfinder.com for information specific to a local adoption group. It will slow your inquiry! Contact the shelter or placement group directly. If you are interested in a particular pet, please contact the organization that is caring for that animal. You can find their contact information just under the pet’s photo on each pet description page.
Adoption fees range from $5 to hundreds of dollars. Services also range greatly, from virtually none to full vaccinations, spay/neuter, and temperament testing/training. In almost all cases, the adoption fee is less than the actual cost of caring for the pet while it is sheltered. Some groups will not adopt outside their area and many will want to do a “home check” as part of the adoption process.
Please make sure that you are entering either your correct American zip code or Canadian postal code (including the space). If you are searching by the name of a town, please type it like Tucson, AZ (using the two letter abbreviation for the state). For example, you would type either 07978 OR Pluckemin, NJ. If your web browser is “cookie-enabled” it will remember your zip code for future visits so that you do not have to reenter it each time. If Petfinder.com doesn’t recognize your postal code, please contact us.
We appreciate inbound links to Petfinder.com. You will help get pets adopted! Please visit our embeddable Pet List Widget and you can choose from the links we have available at the bottom (including our Quick Pet Search Module). You can also check out our Featured Pet Module, which allows you to show adoptable pets from your area right on your own home page. Petfinder.com does not have a links page but if you have a service you’d like to promote, you may do so on our message board or by contacting your local shelter to see if they’ll promote your service on their local home page.
Petfinder is a website for nearly 13,000 independent animal shelters and rescue groups to post their adoptable pets. If you are concerned about the welfare of any animal, you may want to consider contacting your local authorities for assistance.
- We know it can be frustrating when you don't get a response from a shelter or rescue group. Many of the pet listings on Petfinder are maintained by volunteers. They may only be able to review and respond to requests a few times per week, sometimes less. Many of our groups also receive several applications and inquiries for each pet they have available, which causes delays as it can take time to review each application or inquiry. We’re certain they do want to find the best possible homes for their pets.
- We hope this negative experience will not affect your decision to adopt a pet in need. We urge you to continue your search for other pets who match your criteria. Thank you for taking the time to contact us and for thinking adoption first.
We’re sorry to learn of your negative experience. Petfinder is a website for nearly 12,000 independent animal shelters and rescue groups to post their adoptable pets. Each organization operates independently and handles their own pet inquires and pet adoptions.
