How to Adopt
Our goal is to help you find the right animal that matches your lifestyle and needs, and that will be a lifelong companion. Our volunteers will help you visit with the animals at the shelter. If you see an animal listed on PetFinder.com that you are interested in, please make sure to bring the animal’s ID number with you so they can find it for you.
What to consider before adopting a pet
Adopt a Dog
Requirements to Adopt:
To adopt a dog from Oakland Animal Services, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older with a valid California driver’s license or other acceptable identification.
- Visit with the dog you plan to adopt. Adopters should bring all the human members of their household to meet their new companion. Please do not bring any of your other pets unless you have arranged this ahead of time. You can make an appointment with our dog coordinator at 510.535.4883, to introduce your dog(s) to a dog that you are interested in adopting.
- Show proof of home ownership or permission to have a dog from your landlord (the signature on this letter should match the one on your lease).
- Successfully complete the Adoption Dog Questionnaire.
- Never have had any cruelty convictions, animal control violations or broken any adoption contracts in the past.
- Agree to a home inspection if the dog is a pitbull or rottweiler or any other large breed dog or dog that that has been identified to need additional attention.
- Pay the adoption fees the same day as the adoption. We do not place any holds on any animals. The fee for adoption is approximately $135 which includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip and adoption fee.
- If you are adopting a dog, you should know these laws and regulations: Dogs in Oakland (PDF).
- All dogs must be spayed or neutered before they can go home. So, if the dog you adopt is not fixed yet, you will need to pick it up at the EBSPCA or VCA Veterinary Clinic.
- Agree to and sign the “Statement of Adopter.”
Adopt a Cat
Requirements to Adopt
To adopt a cat from Oakland Animal Services, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older with a valid California driver’s license or other acceptable identification.
- Visit with the cat you plan to adopt. Adopters should bring all the human members of their household to meet their new companion. Please do not bring any of your other pets.
- Successfully complete the Adoption Cat Questionnaire.
- Never have had any cruelty convictions, animal control violations or broken any adoption contracts in the past.
- Pay the adoption fees the same day as the adoption. We do not place any holds on any animals. The fee for adoption is approximately $35 which includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip and adoption fee.
- Agree to and sign the “Statement of Adopter.”
Adopt a Rabbit
Requirements to Adopt
To adopt a rabbit from Oakland Animal Services, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older with a valid California driver’s license or other acceptable identification.
- Visit with the rabbit you plan to adopt. Adopters should bring all the human members of their household to meet their new companion. If you would like to find a “friend” for your existing rabbit, bring your rabbit on a Saturday or Sunday when we are open and one of our skilled bunny volunteers will help you with a bunny bonding session!
- Successfully complete the Adoption Rabbit Questionnaire.
- Never have had any cruelty convictions, animal control violations or broken any adoption contracts in the past.
- Pay the adoption fees the same day as the adoption. We do not place any holds on any animals. The fee for adoption is approximately $35 which includes spay/neuter, microchip and adoption fee. If the rabbit you are interested in is not spayed/neutered yet, you will need to pay an additional fee to have it fixed at a local clinic.
- Agree to and sign the “Statement of Adopter.”
