Adopt

Thinking of Adopting?

Harris County Pets is an open intake municipal animal shelter.  We take in approximately 10,000-18,000 animals per year.   We have a wide variety of amazing dogs and cats available for adoption.   

The adoption fee includes spay or neuter surgery, a microchip, a one year Harris County pet license and age appropriate vaccinations, including rabies.      

Adoptions must be done in person by coming to our shelter.   We do not place holds over the phone, email, etc. 

Adoptions hours are:  Monday - Friday: 1 pm - 5:30 pm.  Saturday and Sunday:  11 am - 3:30 pm 

Adoptions are on a first come, first serve basis.  Animals that are spayed or neutered can leave the shelter that same day.  Animals that still need to be spayed or neutered must stay until surgery can be completed.  We do not adopt out unaltered animals.   

Type of Pet
Adoption Fee
Senior (60+ yrs) / Military Adoption Fee
Puppy
$80.00
$40.00
Dog
$50.00
$25.00
Kitten
$35.00
$20.00
Cat
$20.00
$20.00
Dogs over 5 years old
$20.00
Cats over 5 years old
$10.00
How do I adopt a pet?

Adoption hours:  Monday - Friday: 1 pm - 5:30 pm.  Saturday and Sunday: 11 am - 3:30 pm.  All adopters must be at least 18 years old and provide a current, valid ID.  Adoptions must be done in person. We cannot hold animals via phone or email.  Adoptions are on a first come, first served basis. You do not have to live in Harris County to adopt from us. PLEASE BRING A COLLAR AND LEASH OR A PET CARRIER. 

How do I prepare before I adopt?

A few suggestions to help prepare for a new pet:

  • PLEASE BRING A COLLAR AND LEASH OR A CAT CARRIER.
  • Be sure other pets you have are currently vaccinated before bringing home a new pet.
  • Find a veterinarian if you do not already have one.
  • Prepare other family members and discuss the responsibilities associated with having a new pet in the home. It's important that everyone be in agreement with the decision to adopt.
  • Evaluate your home and yard to be sure it is safe for your new pet. All dogs and cats in unincorporated Harris County are required by law to be confined in their own yard or on a leash at all times. When adopting a dog, check your fence to be sure it is secure enough to keep your new pet from escaping.
  • If you are adopting a cat, the safest place to keep them is inside the house. If allowed to roam, cats can be injured by loose dogs, hit by a car or exposed to diseases that could harm the cat and/or family members.
Which animal should I choose?
  • Are you looking for a quiet, laid-back lap cat or a “ready-to-play” dog?
  • Will your landscaping survive the natural digging behaviors of a puppy?
  • Does the dog or cat match your energy level?
  • Do you have the time and financial resources to dedicate to owning a pet?

Once you have an idea of what type of pet fits your lifestyle, please make an adoption appointment. Adopting a pet is a serious, lifelong commitment and our counselors will be happy to help you find and select the right pet for you.

You’ll be given the opportunity to observe, pet and play with your potentially new furry friend before making your decision. 

What is included in the adoption fee?

Cats and dogs are microchipped, dewormed, spayed or neutered and come with:

  • Rabies vaccination and tag
  • A Harris County annual pet license
  • The medical history of the animal while in our care

We strongly encourage everyone to bring their new pet, along with the medical history, to a veterinarian within three (3) days for follow-up exams and vaccination boosters. You will be given a list of veterinarians that will perform the first exam free of charge.

We accept cash, American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover. Checks are not accepted at our facility.

How do I adopt a cat at an off-site store?

Harris County Pets offers cats ready for adoption at certain Petco and Pet Supermarket locations. Adopters will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Adoptions can be processed at the store location, but you will need to email foster@countypets.com so we can arrange to have someone meet you at the store to process the adoption.  

Petco location:
River Oaks : 2110 S. Shepherd Dr. Houston TX 77019

Pet Supermarket location:
14044 Grant Rd. Cypress, TX 77429

Cats have been dewormed, combo tested, spayed or neutered and come with:

  • Rabies vaccination and tag
  • Harris County annual pet license
  • Microchip 

You can pay by credit card on-line or you can come to our facility to pay the adoption fee.  

How can I be a responsible pet owner?

Your pets will thank you being a responsible pet owner when you follow these steps:

  • Spay, neuter and microchip your pets
  • Keep an ID tag on them at all times
  • Commit to the relationship for the life of your cat or dog
  • Recognize that pet ownership requires an investment of time, money and love
  • Exercise, train and socialize your pets
  • Provide veterinary care (preventive and when ill)
  • Don’t allow them to run loose – keep them safely confined
  • Clean up after them
  • Include your pet in your emergency or disaster plans
  • Adopt. Foster, Volunteer. Donate. 


What is the return policy?

All animals placed in our adoption program are evaluated for health and temperament. Because the animals in our facility are often stray animals, with no known medical or behavior history, it is possible that some may not show signs of illness or behavior until several weeks after adoption. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to take your new pet to your veterinarian as soon as possible to follow up on all necessary vaccinations.

Should your new pet become ill, we do offer a two-week health guarantee for adoption animals if that animal has seen a veterinarian within the first 72 hours of the adoption. The adoption fee can not be refunded, but you can choose another pet within six months of the return.

Important Post Adoption Information
Dog Adoption Guide [ English || Spanish ]


 
Cat Adoption Guide [ English || Spanish ]


 
Surgery Instructions [ English || Spanish ]