Are you ready to adopt your new best friend?

Our adoption center currently does not have open hours due to a flood at the shelter. Please complete an adoption application and someone will contact you to meet our animals.

The animals currently available for adoption are listed under Adoptable Dogs and Adoptable Cats. Heartland updates these pages as soon as new dogs and cats become available for adoption or are adopted, so please check back often.

All animals have an application that can be submitted specifically for them by clicking on their profiles, or if you are undecided, you can submit a general application.  We look forward to helping you find your new companion!

If you have specific questions about our dogs and cats, please email:
Cats: cats@heartlandanimalshelter.org
Dogs: dogs@heartlandanimalshelter.org

Complete an Adoption Application for DOGS.
Complete an Adoption Application for CATS.

Requirements to Adopt:

• 21 years of age or older with a valid government issued ID
• Renters will be required to provide a current lease agreement stating that the species and/or breed of animal you are interested in adopting is permitted. In lieu of a lease, the landlord’s name and phone number may be given to shelter staff.
• We encourage all members of the household to visit with an animal before adopting. If you are looking to adopt a dog, you should be prepared to bring all residents living in the home to meet your potential new pet, including any resident dogs. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the dog program staff.
• All animals are up to date on vaccines appropriate for their age, dewormed, and microchipped prior to adoption. An animal may not be spayed/neutered at the time of adoption. In those cases, we will work with the adopter to schedule this promptly.
• Please note: Kittens under five months of age must be adopted in pairs or at the discretion of the cat program staff.

Steps to Adopt:

Please visit the shelter to meet all the wonderful adoptable pets. You may also see a pet online, but make time to come visit the pet in person before so you get a better feel for the pet’s personality. Once your heart is set on a furry friend you can start the adoption application process online for the dog or cat.

• Complete a dog or cat adoption application online.
• Please note that we are not able to “hold” animals.
• Please note we reserve the right to deny adoption.

On the Day of Adoption:

• Please allow a minimum of 45 minutes to finalize the adoption process in order to review all necessary paperwork and instructions for your newest family member.
• Payment is made at the time you come to pick up your pet. Please note that we accept cash, checks, or credit cards.
• Please bring your driver’s license or government issued ID
• If you are adopting a dog, please bring a carrier and/or leash, buckle collar, and harness (we recommend the Freedom No-Pull Harness) with you to pick up your pet.
• If you are adopting a cat, we encourage you to bring a carrier.
• Animals are not deemed adopted until all paperwork has been processed, fees paid, the animal is released and the spay/neuter is complete.

Adoption Fees

Note: fees are subject to change per shelter management

Canine:

• Puppies (8 weeks) to 6 months: $400
• 6 months to 8 years (small dog): $300
• 6 months to 8 years (med-large dog): $250
• 8 years and up: $150 or free for adopters aged 65+

Feline:

• Kittens up to 6 months: $125
• Pair of kittens: $200
• 6 months to 8 years: $100
• 8 years and up: $75 or free for adopters aged 65+

Adoption fees cover: Vaccinations for the pet’s age, deworming, heartworm test (dogs over 6 months), FeLV test (cats), FIV test (cats and kittens six months and older) microchip, spay/neuter and includes a “Newly Adopted Health Certificate” provided by Deerfield Animal Care Center which can be used within 7 days of adoption. This certificate is for a Free First Wellness exam at the walk-in clinic, 20% off the first grooming and 1 free night of boarding. All animals are spayed or neutered before adoption. Please note that we have a “Seniors for Seniors” program, which waives the adoption fee for adopters aged 65+ who adopt a senior (8+ years) dog or cat. We will also take into account individual financial circumstances and will waive the adoption fee for those who cannot afford the cost.

Please know that when you adopt an animal from the Heartland Animal Shelter, you are not “buying” that animal rather you are paying for all of the time, effort, medical care, and behavioral evaluation that is given to that animal so that he/she can become a healthy, happy family member. Puppies and kittens especially require lots of attention from early socializing to foster family care to frequent vaccinations. There’s no such thing as a “free pet.” Medical procedures performed by the animal shelter would cost well over $300 at an animal hospital.

Heartland Animal Shelter is a no-kill shelter and a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. We depend on your donations in order to rescue more pets from ill fate as well care for our current pets.

Adoption fees are based on the cost to administer shots, vaccinations, medications, microchips and spay and neuter rescued pets. We can only help our current pets and future pets when additional donations are made. As a private shelter, Heartland operates with income provided by adoption fees and donations from the public. We receive no government funding.