How to Adopt
Our goal is to ensure that your new four-legged friend arrives fully equipped with all the skills necessary to make a successful adjustment to their new home and family life. The adoption process begins with an application form and concludes after the successful completion of a two week trial period designed to ensure a smooth transition for the animal and the new adopter.
Step 1: Search our adoptable animals
Browse our animals on our website, Petfinder, Facebook or visit the AAC to meet them in person.
Step 2: Fill out an application
Dog ApplicationCat Application
Step 3: Adoption Requirements
- Our dog adoption fee is $225 and the cat adoption fee is one for $80 or two for $100. These fees include spay/neuter, microchip and vaccinations. If you are an out of state adopter we cannot guarantee covering all medical expenses.
- Potential adopters are required to foster for at least one night. Once your application is reviewed and approved we move forward with the adoption! We honor a two-week trial period to make sure your new pet fits in well with your family and lifestyle.
- If during the trial period you find that the animal is not a suitable match the adoption fee will be refunded.
- Any animal adopted from the AAC is always welcomed back if for any reason you can no longer care for him or her at any point in their life.
- Adopters must be at least 24 years old to adopt a cat or dog. If you are under the age of 24 you may be approved on a case by case basis if you have a co-signer that is older than 24 and can accept responsibility if something happens.
- Adopters who rent their home must have landlord approval in order to adopt.
- We welcome out of area adopters, however we require prospective adopters to visit our facility and spend at least one night with the animal.
Step 4: Congratulations! You are the new mom or dad to a fur-baby!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the first step in the adoption process?
- The first step to adopting is to fill out an application! This allows you to put your name in line for animals of interest and helps the Animal Adoption Center team find you your perfect animal.
- Where do the dogs and cats come from?
- The Animal Adoption Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and closed admission rescue. All of the animals in our program come from overcrowded and kill shelters regionally and nationally. We do not accept strays or owner surrenders (unless the animal was adopted through us) to prioritize animals that are in the biggest need.
- Are the dogs and puppies potty and crate trained?
- We cannot guarantee any training of the dogs and puppies that are apart of our program because we likely have little to no history of their backgrounds. We ask all fosters and potential adopters to have grace and understanding. The Animal Adoption Center team will set you up with resources and supplies to set you and the dog or puppy up for success.
- Do the cats get fostered?
- All of the cats permanently reside in Kitty City until they find their forever homes. Cats are not fostered because they do not adjust well to constant change and new environments. Until they find their adoptive people they reside in their free-roaming living spaces and are spoiled by loving volunteers and staff. We occasionally have foster opportunities for medical cases or kittens. If you are interested in adopting a cat fill out an application and we will set up a meet and greet. If the meet and greet goes well we move forward with the adoption and the adopter will enter a two-week trial period. If the cat turns out not to be the cat you fell in love with we will always take the cat back into our program. Your money will be refunded within the two-week trial period.
- Where are the dogs kept?
- The dogs in the Animal Adoption Center program go home with volunteers fosters or potential adopters every night. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer foster fill out the application! This not only gives the homeless dogs patiently awaiting their forever homes a sense of normalcy but it also provides great information for the Animal Adoption Center staff to understand what its’ perfect home looks like! We require fostering prior to adopting!
- What are the adoption fees?
- Our adoption fee for dogs/puppies is $225 and cats is $80 (or two for $100)! This fee covers the spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations up to date (cannot guarantee for out of state adopters), a free month of pet insurance and a training session with a certified dog trainer for dogs under 6 months or ones needing some extra help.
- Do we adopt out of state?
- We do not want to overlook a great home just because they live out of state! However, we do not adopt animals sight unseen, provide transportation or hold animals. We do require fostering prior to adoption which requires the potential adopter to travel to the greater Jackson area. This is put in place to ensure that it is a good fit for everyone involved. If adopting out of state the Animal Adoption Center will not cover any pending vaccinations and the adopter will be responsible for completing.
- What is the adoption age?
- Since adopting an animal is a big decision and is upwards of a 10-20year commitment we have an adoption age of 24. If you are under 24 and ready to bring an animal into your life we require a cosigner above the age of 24 that will agree to take responsibility of the animal if anything were to happen and circumstances were to change.
- What makes the Animal Adoption Center unique?
- The AAC has many reasons why it is a unique rescue. First, all of the animals that have come from overcrowded or kill shelters have no time limit in our program. Second, all of the dogs in our program get to lead a normal life in foster care while they wait for their potential adopter. We understand that adopting a dog is a big decision and that is why we require fostering prior to adopting to ensure it is a good fit. Third, thanks to our generous supporters we are able to say “yes” to animals that would otherwise be deemed unadopted due to medical conditions. Lastly, all of the animals adopted through our program are always welcome back if needed. This ensures that they will never find themselves in a bind again.
PetFinder Listings
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
Snowflake 3 year old, male, Domestic Short Hair Snowflake is a big, handsome boy. He is easy-going and as far... View full description »
Stormy 6 month old, female, Domestic Medium Hair Stormy was originally part of a trap-neuter-return program in Idaho Falls before... View full description »
Sparkle 2 year old, female, Domestic Long Hair Sparkle arrived from Idaho Falls Animal Shelter. She is a beautiful cat... View full description »
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
THIS ANIMAL IS A COURTESY LISTING AND IS NOT A PART OF THE ANIMAL ADOPTION CENTER PROGRAM. PLEASE USE THE... View full description »
Mittens 2 year old, male, Domestic Short Hair Tuxedo Mittens traveled from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT and... View full description »
Megan 8-10 year old, female, Domestic Short Hair Megan is a sweet, older lady who has lived the majority of... View full description »
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
Trixie, 1 year old, female, DSH Black Tuxedo Hi, my name is Trixie! I am originally from Green River, Wyoming.... View full description »
Cinnamon, 6 months old, male, DSH Orange & White Tabby My name is Cinnamon and I am a juvenile cat... View full description »
Nutmeg, 6 months old, male, DSH Orange & White Tabby My name is Nutmeg and I am a juvenile cat... View full description »
**MEDICAL CASE** Boots, 10+ years old, male, Domestic Medium Hair My name is Boots and I am an older gentlemen... View full description »
Tony Hawk, 2 years old, male, DSH Orange Tabby My name is Tony Hawk and I am a young cat... View full description »
THE AAC IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! To set up a meet and greet, please fill out a dog adoption... View full description »
Jenny 10 year old female Domestic Short Hair Jenny is a senior gal who is ready to find a loving... View full description »
Madre 1.5 year old female Domestic Short Hair Madre was transferred from Best Friends Salt Lake. Madre is such a... View full description »