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AnimalsHow to Adopt Policies

Process to Adopt an Animal

The Humane Society of Indianapolis receives animals from individuals who are no longer able to care for their pet. Animals remain available for adoption as long as their good health and behavior continue. All animals that are available for adoption have passed an evaluation based on their known history, health, and behavior. All adoption processes must be done in person. We do not take holds or process adoptions over the phone.

The steps to adopting an animal from the Humane Society of Indianapolis are as follows:

1. Think about your lifestyle, and which type of animal makes the most sense for you.
   
2. Visit our kennels and choose the animal that you would like to adopt. Please take a look at our color-coded kennel card system to ensure that you are choosing an animal that matches your lifestyle and abilities.
   
3. Can’t quite make up your mind? Need more time? A $20 non-refundable non-transferable deposit can be placed to hold an animal until the end of the next business day or until the end of the four-day stray period. If the adoption is not completed, the deposit becomes a donation to HSI. If the adoption is completed, the deposit is credited to the adoption fee. There are no “second” or “third” holds. Only one hold may be placed on an animal at a time.
   
4. Bring the animal’s colored kennel card (located on the front of the kennel) to the adoption lobby.
   
5. Fill out an adoption profile. We use a profile and interview process to ensure that each animal adopted will be matched with the most compatible new owner.
   
6. Once the profile has been reviewed, our customer service staff will review with you any medical or behavioral information relevant to that animal and collect the adoption fees.
   
7. Every animal that is adopted from HSI is microchipped for their safety and your peace of mind. At this point, a staff member will bring the animal to the adoption lobby, and the microchip paperwork will be completed.
   
8. Congratulations! You are now ready to go home with your new pet!

Please be aware that the adoption process can take anywhere from 30 minutes - 2 hours depending on the information we need to cover with you and the number of pets going home at the same time. Please visit us between 3 pm and 5 pm on weekdays for the fastest service. We know this is a time commitment, but your new pet appreciates it!

Adoption Fees

So often, adopters fall in love with the fuzzy kitten or playful puppy and pass over older pets awaiting a forever home. There are so many desirable and attractive qualities in a more mature pet that we encourage adopters to explore all of the possibilities. Adoption prices range from $75 to $450 depending on species, breed and age.

Helping Your Pet Stay Healthy

The Humane Society's partners, the Indiana Veterinary Alliance, offer a 14-day health guarantee to HSI adopters. If you choose the health guarantee at the time of the adoption, you should schedule an appointment with an Indiana Veterinary Alliance member to have your pet examined within the first three days of adoption. If your pet becomes ill with a minor illness within two weeks of adoption, the veterinary hospital will treat your pet free of charge. The 14-day health guarantee is free because these caring veterinary practices give generously of themselves. For more information on the minor illnesses covered, contact one of the Alliance members listed below. The Humane Society of Indianapolis is grateful to community partners like the Indiana Veterinary Alliance members for their assistance in helping Indy animals stay in loving, lifetime homes.

Indiana Veterinary Alliance Members

Pets for People Program:

Pets for People Program: Pets for People offers companion pets to individuals 60 years of age and older at a reduced adoption fee. Please bring a picture ID confirming your qualification for this program. Seniors receive a discount of $50 off the adoption fee for any cat of any age. Dogs must be six months of age or older to receive the reduced adoption fee. This discount cannot be combined with an already-reduced price.

All adoptions include:

• Health check
• Spay or Neuter
• First round of Distemper/Parvo vaccine for dogs (DA2P-PV) or first round of Distemper vaccine for cats (FVRCP)
• Bordetella vaccine for dogs
• Feline Leukemia testing for cats and Canine Heartworm screening for dogs
• First deworming
• Microchip identification & registration
• Pet Behavior Resources
• Pet training discount for dogs
• Certificate for INITIAL VET VISIT