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1101 29th Avenue, Oakland, California 94601 | 510.535.5602 | Map Of Our Location | Site Map

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  fees the same day as the adoption. We do not place any holds on any animals. The total fees for adopting a dog are 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.”

If you already have a dog(s) and want to adopt another from OAS, it is important that you determine if the dogs are a good match and will get along before bringing the new dog home.  We are happy to help you with this introduction at the Shelter.  A dog/dog introduction is highly recommended but not required unless there is a 50 lb size difference between your dog and the one you want to adopt or the dog you want to adopt is a pit bull or has been identified as having potential issues with other dogs..

To schedule a dog/dog introduction, you must:

1.       Have been approved for adoption by an OAS staff member;

2.       Show proof that your dog(s) has a current rabies vaccination.  We really like to see that your dog is properly licensed too!

3.       Complete the form below and submit.  You will be contacted within the next day or two.

We can not hold the dog that you want to adopt while you wait for your dog/dog introduction appointment unless you pay the adoption fee of $25.  This fee is non-refundable but can be used towards the adoption of another dog if your selected dog turns out not to be a good match.

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.”