If you're looking for the best places to adopt a pet in Brooklyn, you've come to the right place! We'll give you the inside scoop on prices, locations, and what to expect.
How do I adopt a pet in Brooklyn, NY?
If you're ready to adopt a pet and bring them into your home and family, there are a few things you'll want to know ahead of time. Each animal shelter or rescue will have slightly different requirements like age, cost, application, and interview process. Check out the main things you'll need to know below:
Age minimum to adopt.
Every shelter has its own age minimum. Sometimes it's 18 years and older, but other times they'll require you to be 21 or 25 and older to adopt from them. And every animal rescue or shelter will require you to show a valid ID.
Fill out the online application.
Most animal shelters will have you fill out an application on their website before starting the adoption process. Not only will this ask for your basic contact information, but they'll usually ask about your home situation, pet experience, pet-parenting style, size of the home, size of yard, etc.
The primary purpose of this is to ensure that you're ready for life with a pet, to ensure the safety and well-being of the pet, and to help avoid any pets being returned to the shelter later on.
Cost of adoption fees.
Yes, there is a cost to adopt a pet from a shelter. You may wonder why—since you are rescuing them into your home. However, these animal shelters and rescues are typically non-profit organizations that spend a lot of money on housing, feeding and caring for the pets in their care. They have to pay for staffing, insurance, mortgage, utilities, medical care, and surgeries.
The fee you have to pay may seem high, but the price it costs them to properly care for your pet until you adopt them is much higher. This is also why non-profit animal shelters and rescues often ask for help from volunteers and donations.
Have a "meet and greet."
Before you show up and pay the adoption fee for your new pup or kitten, the shelters and rescues want you to spend a little time with the pet. Their picture may look adorable online, but you should spend time interacting with this cat or dog to see how you get along. And it's helpful if you bring any spouses, partners, kids, or even other pets you currently own to meet this potentially new fur baby of yours.
Home visit.
This step isn't as common, but some animal shelters and rescues will require a home visit before letting you officially adopt your new pet. Again, this is to be sure that your home life is a healthy atmosphere for a cat or dog. It's the final step in their care for this animal. And it helps prevent animal returns to the shelter.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog in Brooklyn, NY?
As stated above, there are numerous expenses that an animal shelter or rescue has to pay. This includes—but is not limited to—food, water, shelter and facility costs, walks and playtime, toys and supplies, waste cleanup, bathing, staffing, transportation, any medical care needed, spay or neuter surgery, training, and some shelters will even provide microchipping—in case your dog or cat get lost later on.
Every animal shelter and rescue will have different prices, which can change. It's best to check out their website or call in to ask before you get attached to a particular fur baby. For example pricing, check out the prices for the animal shelters listed below.
Rescue City
Puppies and adult dogs
Puppies (2 months - 4 years): $550
Adult dogs (4+ years - 7 years): $450
Senior dogs (7+ years): $350
New York City Animal Care Center
Puppies and adult dogs
Puppies (under 6 months): $241.50
Adult dogs (7+ months): $66.50
Small dogs (under 20 lbs., over 7 months): $141.50
*Dog license fee: $8.50
*Spay or neuter deposit: $150
Kittens and adult cats
Kittens (under 6 months): $125
Adult cat (7 months - 4 years): $75
Adult cats (5+ years): $25
Two kittens: $200
*Spay or neuter deposit: $150
Rabbits
All ages: $75
Bonded pair: $100
*Spay or neuter deposit: $150
Guinea Pigs
All ages: $25
Pair: $40
*Spay or neuter deposit: $150
Badass Animal Rescue
Puppies and adult dogs
All dogs: $550
Muddy Paws Rescue
Puppies and adult dogs
Puppies (under 1-year-old): $575
Adult dogs (1+ years - 4 years): $525
Adult dogs (4+ years - 7 years): $475
Senior dogs (7+ years - 10 years): $400
Senior dogs (10+ years old): $350
Brooklyn Animal Action
Kittens and adult cats
One kitten: $225
Two kittens: $450
One adult cat: $200
Two adult cats: $400
Special breed: $275+
Where is the best place to find pets in Brooklyn, NY?
Numerous places throughout Brooklyn offer pet adoption. But to help point you in the right direction, below are our top 6 favorite places to adopt a pet in Brooklyn.
No matter where you choose, do your research to ensure that it's an organization that genuinely cares for the pets as best they can. Whoever you give your money to is who you are supporting. So let's make sure to support the best, most loving, and most ethical animal shelters in Brooklyn.
PetFinder.com
PetFinder.com is the perfect place to start your search online from the comfort of your own home for all of the adoptable pets in your surrounding area. You'll be able to view pets from numerous animal shelters and rescues. You can filter through the available pets to find the type of pet you're looking for based on species, gender, breed, size, age, and whether or not they are good with children and other pets.
Rescue City
Rescue City is a non-profit, foster-based dog rescue that helps save hundreds of dogs annually. They help ease the burden from other open intake shelters, find temporary foster homes, and forever adoptive homes for "dogs of every breed, size, age, temperament, and medical condition… Through our exceptional education and ongoing support network, we believe that together we can positively change the face of dog ownership and empower a community of guardians."
New York City Animal Care Center
"Individuals from all over New York City come to Animal Care Centers every day of the week for reasons as diverse as reclaiming lost pets, adopting new furry family members, and getting resources to help them keep their pets in homes." The New York City Animal Care Center works with over 200 animal placement centers and helps find new adoptive homes for cats, dogs, and rabbits.
Badass Animal Rescue
The Badass Animal Rescue is a foster-based, non-profit animal rescue that has saved, rehabilitated, and rehomed over 3,400 dogs from high-kill shelters across 9 states and the Virgin Islands. "As a leader in responsible rescue, we rescue the most vulnerable dogs regardless of their breed, age, size, and medical history from underserved shelters and communities in the United States."
Muddy Paws Rescue
"The mission of Muddy Paws Rescue is to build and support a thriving community of dog-loving humans dedicated to ending unnecessary euthanasia of companion dogs." They work hard to do this through shared learning, education, direct lifesaving, and always working toward new, innovative ways to save the lives of homeless dogs.
Sean Casey Animal Rescue
Sean Casey Animal Rescue is an innovative animal shelter located in Brooklyn. They specialize in rescuing and rehabilitating dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, and other small animals. What sets Sean Casey Animal Rescue apart is their unique approach to animal welfare. They provide behavioral training, enrichment programs, and extensive medical care to ensure that every animal in their care receives the best chance at finding their forever home. In addition to adoption services, they also have a safe haven program for animals in need of long-term care. To learn more about their mission, view adorable adoptable pets, or get involved, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
Brooklyn Animal Action
Brooklyn Animal Action is an all-volunteer organization that works primarily with cats. They "rescue and find homes for adoptable animals, facilitate Trap-Neuter-Release programs and perform community outreach and education." Since starting this organization in 2010, they have "TNR-ed" hundreds of cats and found new, loving homes for thousands of cats—and a few dogs.
Adopt a pet in Brooklyn, NY, today!
Now that you know what to expect and where to go, it's time to find your new fur baby. Many adorable cats and dogs need a loving, forever home to call their own. And that home could be yours!
At Local Pet Care, we're here to help you find the best places to adopt, the best dog-friendly restaurants in Brooklyn, the best dog parks in Brooklyn, and even to help you find the best local pet care professionals right in your own town. With 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.