There are no costs associated with the application process. Should you move forward with an adoption, there is an adoption donation required.

Cats: Cost determined on a case-by-case basis after the age, health, and needs of each cat have been individually determined.  Base donation is $100

Dogs: Cost determined on a case-by-case basis after the age, health, and needs of each dog have been individually determined.  Base donation is $300-$500

Miniature Horses: Base donation is $300

Big Horses: A donation from $500 to $2000, depending on the level of training, age, use, show-ability, etc.

We require potential adopters to complete and submit an adoption & foster application. Please take a moment to read about the adoption process, and carefully fill out the adoption & foster application which can be found on this website. Because we are seeking the best match for our animals and for you, we consider all applications for a particular animal, and do not operate on a first-come-first serve basis. Applications are reviewed anonymously by our Adoptions Committee.

Every effort is made to obtain a determination as quickly as possible, and many applications are processed in as little as 24 hours. Delays, when they do occur, are most often the result of missing or incomplete veterinary information. A volunteer will contact you as soon as your application has been reviewed to notify you whether the application has been accepted or to request further information. If approved, an appointment will be made for you to meet our available pets and to discuss all aspects of their care, especially including nutrition.

Submit the Application: Complete the application online by clicking the Online Application Form button below.

An approved application can lead to three different outcomes for you and the pet of your choice:

Foster Care is, by nature, temporary. With this option, the foster family provides a home for an animal until a permanent home comes along. If this is your preferred scenario, then a Volunteer Application should also be completed, as all of our foster families are technically Helping PAWS volunteers, and will be included in regular communications with our volunteer network. Before taking an animal home, a Fostering Agreement is completed with a Helping PAWS responsible party to explain the family’s responsibilities and our expectations, and to answer any questions. 

Foster-to-Adopt is a “middle” option between foster and adopt. No pet can be adopted from Helping PAWS until it has been spayed or neutered, so this is a good way to bring home a young kitten or puppy who still needs its surgery. This option is also a great one for those who are not sure how a new pet will fit into their household. It gives prospective adopters the chance to introduce their new friend to their home, children, and other pets. Before an animal would be taken home, a Foster-to-Adopt Agreement would be signed, and the adoption fee would be paid, along with a spay/neuter deposit of $75 where applicable. If the pet is spayed/neutered at Country Care Pet Hospital (located on the same property as Helping PAWS), then the $50 pays for the spay or neuter. If the surgery is completed elsewhere, then the $75 is refunded to the adopter once Helping PAWS receives proof of the surgery.

Adoption is the official transfer of the animal to the new owner. As long as the pet has already been spayed/neutered, this option is available directly after a successful Meet-and-Greet, as long as the potential adopter and pet are a good match! This is also an option for any foster family or Foster-to-Adopt family who has come to the conclusion that they would like to keep their foster friend. Adoptions are complete when the adoption donation cost has been paid, the pet has been spayed/neutered, and the Adoption Contract has been completed.

Because our commitment is to the happiness and health of the animal, we are happy to work with adopters to ensure long-term success for both animal and adoptive family. We recognize that even after adequate adjustment periods, not all adoptions are good fits and under these circumstances, we accept our animals back to find them a successful home elsewhere.