Adoption Process
Thank you so much for your interest in adoption! Below are answers to some of our most commonly asked questions. Click here for campus contact information, adoption hours, and how to adopt at each campus.
What happens once I'm with my adoption counselor? 
Since the individual needs of each animal and adopter vary, an Adoption Counselor will use your adopter profile and work with you one-on-one to help you find the right match for your family. They'll then introduce you to animals who've caught your eye or seem like a good fit based on the information you've provided. The adoption process generally takes an hour; we recommend that you allow ample time to learn about your new companion and complete the process. Once you've made a decision, we'll go over some paperwork, take payment for the adoption fee, and you'll be leaving the shelter with a new best friend! After adoption, we provide our adopters with plenty of resources, including a link to a video packed with helpful information; feel free to watch our Adopter Information video in advance here!
Do I need to do anything before I visit the shelter?
Before your visit, please verify the location of the animal you'd like to meet, then confirm the open adoption hours of the location you plan to visit or contact the animal's foster family directly to set up a meeting. Then fill out our adopter profile online in advance; it will remain on file for 2 months. This is what your adoption counselor will use to guide you through the adoption process; it is not an application.
What should I bring with me to the shelter?
You will need a valid photo ID and proof of current address. Adopters must be 18 or older to adopt. If you hope to leave with a new pet, all cats must be in a carrier and dogs must be on a leash. You can purchase these items at the shelter in our retail store where 100% of the proceeds go back to helping animals in need, or you can bring your own!
What is included in my adoption fee?
Adoption fees for dogs and cats include their spay/neuter surgery, a microchip, and initial vaccines. Adoption fees for rabbits also include their spay/neuter surgery, a microchip, and the RHDV2 vaccines. All animals go home with a certificate for a free health exam from a participating vet office, a starter bag of food, a free vet exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, 30 days of free pet insurance thanks to MetLife Pet Insurance, 10% off your purchase in our Animal Antics Retail Store, and adopter perks from generous local businesses. Additionally, you'll leave with peace of mind knowing our behavior experts are here for you should any questions or concerns arise down the road. To learn more about what's included in the adoption fee, check out our Adopter Information Video here.
Do animals ever have restrictions limiting who they can go home with?
Every animal is an individual and WHS works hard to make great matches for our animals and adopters. Some animals may have placement restrictions or requirements established by WHS based on shelter observations and previous home histories. When meeting with your adoption counselor, they review each animal’s medical, behavior, and placement needs with you to help you find an animal who is compatible with your home environment and your lifestyle. There are no time limits at WHS, all animals in our adoption program have as long as it takes to find a new loving home.
Can I bring my dog with me to meet other dogs before we decide to adopt?
For many years we conducted dog-to-dog introductions, but we no longer offer them because we have found that they are not indicative of how the dogs interact outside of the building. Shelters are full of sounds, smells, and distractions, so the dogs weren’t able to get a true feel for the other dog’s personality. In instances where in-shelter introductions didn’t go well, it prohibited that dog from going to a family they may have otherwise been comfortable with if they were introduced in a less stressful environment. On the flip side, positive introductions at the shelter could give the family a false sense of security causing them to let their guard down in the first few critical days at their home. For that reason, we’ve eliminated in-shelter introductions and instead focus on counseling families so they have all the tools they need to facilitate successful introductions at home.
How much is the adoption fee?
Each animal's profile has their individual fee listed on their profile page. You may have noticed on our website that our adoption fees vary between individual animals. Having a higher adoption fee for some animals who will find a home quickly enables us to care for animals in need of lifesaving medical and behavioral intervention, who are with us longer.
Can I place a hold on an animal I see on the website?
While we work extremely hard to make our animals as comfortable as possible, studies show that the longer an animal is in a shelter environment, the higher their risk of increased stress and illness. For that reason, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are not able to accept hold requests.* If you see someone who interests you on our website, please stop in during adoption hours at your earliest convenience!
*Click here for information regarding the adoption hold process for finders of stray animals.
Do you offer any adoption discounts?
The Wisconsin Humane Society offers a 10% military discount on adoption fees at all campuses with valid proof of service.
Resources from 24PetWatch®
- To make the most of 24PetWatch® Pet Protection Services, click here.
