Ready to adopt a pet in New Orleans? We're here to help! Check out our list of the top places to adopt a dog, cat, or small pet in New Orleans and what to expect!
Adopting a new pet is an exciting and fulfilling experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you need help figuring out where to start. If you're in New Orleans, LA, and looking to adopt a dog, cat, or small pet, our guide can help you find the best and safest places to adopt. We provide a comprehensive list of adoption centers and information about each center's specialties, requirements, and fees.
Preparing for your new pet's arrival can also be daunting, but our guide offers practical advice on how to prepare your home and lifestyle for your furry friend. We also provide an overview of the adoption process, including common requirements and guidelines for successful adoption. Remember, by adopting a pet, you're giving them a loving home and improving your well-being.
What Do You Need to Adopt a Pet in New Orleans, LA?
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter or rescue in New Orleans involves meeting specific requirements, which can vary depending on the shelter. These requirements may include presenting identification, completing an adoption application, answering questions, and potentially undergoing a home visit.
- Age minimum to adopt
To adopt a pet from most animal shelters and rescues, you must meet the age requirement, typically 18 years or older, but some may require you to be 21 or 25 years old and above.
- Fill out the online application
Additionally, you will need to fill out an online application, which asks for your contact information and details about your home and pet parenting experience.
- Cost of adoption fees
There is also a fee associated with adopting a pet, which covers expenses such as food, housing, medical care, utilities, and staffing. Although the fee may seem high, it is generally much less than the actual cost of caring for the animal until it is adopted. Shelters and rescues often rely on volunteers and donors to help cover these costs.
- Have a "meet and greet"
Before adopting a pet, you may be required to participate in a "meet and greet" with the animal to see how you get along and whether the pet is a good fit for your family.
- Home visit
Some shelters may also require a home visit to ensure that your home is suitable for a pet, which helps to prevent any future returns to the shelter.
Cost to Adopt a Pet from an Animal Shelter in New Orleans, LA
When adopting a pet from a New Orleans animal shelter, the adoption fees may include expenses like spaying or neutering, medical treatments, and microchipping. Some shelters offer reduced fees for specific groups, such as seniors or military personnel, and may also have discounted rates for senior pets or pets who have been at the shelter for an extended period of time. In addition, adopting multiple pets at once may also result in a discounted fee.
The adoption fees charged by animal shelters in New Orleans can vary, so it is essential to check with the specific shelter you are interested in to get accurate pricing information. It's a wise idea to inquire about the adoption fees before getting attached to a particular pet, as this will help you budget appropriately and avoid any unexpected costs. Below are the prices from each of the top animal shelters to adopt from in New Orleans (just remember that these can change).
Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO)
Adoption fees vary depending on the animal, and they have a sliding scale for cats and dogs based on age and other factors. The fees range from $50 to $200, including spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping.
Louisiana SPCA
Adoption fees also vary depending on the animal, with fees ranging from $40 to $250. Some animals have higher adoption fees due to age, breed, or other factors. All animals are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before adoption.
Take Paws Rescue
Adoption fees vary based on the animal and its age. Fees range from $150 to $350 and include spaying/neutering, microchipping, and age-appropriate vaccinations.
Zeus' Rescues
Adoption fees for dogs are typically $250, while cat adoption fees are $75. The fees include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping.
Louisiana SPCA's Adoption Alliance
Adoption fees vary depending on the animal, with fees ranging from $40 to $250. Some animals have higher adoption fees due to age, breed, or other factors. All animals are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before adoption.
Big Easy Animal Rescue
Adoption fees range from $150 to $250 depending on the animal and include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping.
Humane Society of Louisiana
Adoption fees vary based on the animal and are typically $100 to $200. All animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before adoption.
Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter (East Bank)
Adoption fees range from $67 to $167 depending on the animal and include spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping.
Where is the Best Place to Adopt a Pet in New Orleans?
There are several places in New Orleans where you can adopt a pet from an animal shelter. You'll find humane societies, government-funded organizations, animal shelters, and animal rescues. Check out some of the most popular, reputable places to adopt a pet in New Orleans, LA, below. No matter which place you choose, many loving dogs, cats, and more are ready for their new forever home.
Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO)
Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) is a volunteer-based, grassroots nonprofit that focuses on rescuing abandoned and homeless animals in the city of New Orleans. ARNO operates a no-kill shelter and adoption center and relies on donations and volunteers to continue its mission. They have a variety of adoptable pets on their website, including cats, dogs, and other small animals.
The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA)
The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA) is the largest animal welfare organization in the state and operates an open-admission shelter, adoption center, and community veterinary clinic. They have a variety of adoptable pets on their website, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and small animals. They also offer programs and services such as pet behavior counseling, spay/neuter services, and a pet food bank.
Take Paws Rescue
Take Paws Rescue is a nonprofit organization that rescues dogs from high-kill shelters in Louisiana and other states and works to find them permanent homes through its adoption program. They operate primarily through foster homes and have a range of dogs available for adoption on their website.
Zeus' Rescues
Zeus' Rescues is a nonprofit animal rescue organization focusing on rescuing and rehabilitating homeless and abused animals in greater New Orleans. They have a shelter facility, a foster program, and have a variety of adoptable dogs and cats on their website.
New Orleans SPCA
The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA) operates a second adoption center in New Orleans called the New Orleans SPCA. They have a variety of adoptable pets on their website, including dogs, cats, and small animals.
Villalobos Rescue Center
Villalobos Rescue Center is renowned for their focus on Pit Bulls, aiming to give this often-misunderstood breed a second chance at life. They are one of the largest pit bull rescues in the USA, featured on the hit TV show "Pit Bulls & Parolees." Villalobos specializes in rehabilitation and training, helping to dispel myths about Pit Bulls and showcasing their true, loving nature. Their unique approach includes pairing rescued dogs with parolees, giving both a fresh start and a sense of purpose.
In addition to rescue and adoption services, Villalobos offers community support such as free spaying/neutering and a dog food bank for low-income families. They believe in not just rescuing dogs but also in supporting the people who care for them. To explore their heartwarming stories and see how you can contribute, visit their website or follow them on social media.
Big Easy Animal Rescue (BEAR)
Big Easy Animal Rescue (BEAR) is a volunteer-based, foster-driven animal rescue organization that focuses on rescuing dogs and cats in the New Orleans area. They do not have a physical shelter location but rely on foster homes to care for their animals until they are adopted. Their website has a range of dogs and cats available for adoption.
The Louisiana SPCA
The Louisiana SPCA also partners with the City of New Orleans to operate the municipal animal shelter, known as the Louisiana SPCA New Orleans Humane Law & Rescue Center. They take in stray and surrendered animals from the city and have a variety of adoptable pets on their website.
Jefferson Parish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
The Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter-East Bank is operated by the Jefferson Parish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and takes in stray and surrendered animals from the East Bank of Jefferson Parish. They have a variety of adoptable dogs, cats, and small animals on their website.
PetFinder.com & AdoptAPet.com
In addition to these shelters, you may also be able to find pets for adoption through online resources such as Petfinder.com or AdoptAPet.com. You can view pictures of cats, dogs, and other small pets from numerous animal shelters and rescues nearby. And you can filter through the available pets to find what you're looking for based on species, gender, breed, size, age, and whether or not they are good with children and other pets.
Adopt a Pet in New Orleans today!
Now that you've seen just how many places there are to adopt a pet in New Orleans and know the potential fees and requirements for adoption, it's time to start searching for your new fur baby!
At Local Pet Care, we're here to help you find not only the best places to adopt but also the best dog-friendly restaurants and the best dog parks and dog-friendly parks in New Orleans. Plus, we'll help you find the best local pet care professionals right near your home. With all of these resources, you will be set up for pet-parenting success!
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.