PAWS Atlanta follows an adoption process to ensure that each cat or dog is placed in a safe and loving forever home. To meet our animals, you must have an approved application. You are welcome to visit us between 10am-5pm daily. Pets who are in foster require appointments made in advance, as they are not on site at the shelter. Foster pets are listed on our website with all other adoptable animals, so be sure to inquire if the pet you'd like to meet is onsite or in foster.
Our cats are in free-roaming rooms, and potential adopters can meet the cats without supervision. To meet our dogs, we follow a structured process that allows a limited number of approved applicants to tour the kennel areas at one time. This allows potential adopters to see our dogs while also keeping their stress levels down. After your application has been approved, you are welcome to visit the shelter during open hours. If you see a dog you are interested in, a member of our team will bring the dog to you on-leash for a meet-and-greet. We also have an off-leash area available if you would like to spend more time getting to know them.
To begin the adoption process, please complete the online application linked on the right side of the page. Once approved, you may either stop by during open hours or schedule a time to meet our animals by emailing info@pawsatlanta.org. Walk-ins are welcome, but please note that we cannot hold pets. The pet you are interested in may be adopted before your visit, but we have many wonderful animals still looking for homes.
Once you find a match, the adoption fee will be processed. This fee helps cover the cost of each animal’s care before adoption, including vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, food, and other expenses. All adoption fees are listed on our cat and dog webpages and vary according to species and age.
All adopters must be 21 years of age or older with a valid form of picture identification. Please note, PAWS Atlanta reserves the right to refuse adoption to anyone for the protection of our animals. Thank you for your interest in adopting an animal!