Adoption Guidelines

How Do I Adopt a Pet?


At the Pensacola Humane Society, our goal is to create loving, lasting adoptions. We believe that the adoption process should be simple, quick, and most importantly, fun! You can find the steps outlined below, but feel free to contact an adoption counselor at adopt@ibiza.temp.domains if you have any questions or concerns. Please keep in mind that we stop processing adoptions 30 minutes before closing each day to ensure that our adoption staff has ample time to counsel you through bringing a new pet home. Thank you for opening your home to a new four-legged family member!

Step One: Getting Started


We encourage anyone who is interested in adopting to visit our adoptable pets gallery to learn about the animals we have available. We provide information about each of our guests, including size information, age, a short bio and where they are located. The Pensacola Humane Society is doing it's best to place more pets in foster homes while they wait for their adoptive homes in an effort to decrease stress and increase our lifesaving efforts.

Please note that all of our available animals are current on their vaccinations, spayed or neutered and microchipped. 

Step Two: Picking the Perfect Companion


The Pet I Want to Meet is at the Shelter
Stop by any time during open hours to meet any pets that are available for adoption. You can expedite the process by submitting an adoption application ahead of time for the animal(s) you are interested in through each animals listing. However, submitting an adoption application does not hold an animal nor does it guarantee adoption. In the interest of fairness animals at the adoption center are adoptable on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The Pet I Want to Meet is in Foster
Submit an adoption application for the animal(s) you are interested in meeting. You can find each animals adoption application in their online listing. Our foster team will review your application and email you with further instructions on meeting the animal and if there are any applicants ahead of you. In the interest of fairness applications for animals in foster are handled in the order they are received. 

If you would like to introduce your dog to a dog you are interested in, our staff is more than happy to help you introduce them before you bring your new dog home.

Step Three: Where Do We Sign?


So, you found the perfect pet and you can not wait to get them home and love them forever. Great! We are so excited for both you and the animal you are interested in. All that's left is counseling with our adoption staff or foster families. After this process there is just a bit of paperwork to complete! Keep in mind to adopt a pet you must meet the following criteria in addition to being able to provide basic animal care:

  1. You must be at least 18 years of age and have sufficient means to support a pet.
  2. You must have a valid government issued ID

Step Four: Going Home!


If you are adopting an animal from the adoption center we would be happy to provide you with a temporary cat carrier or collar and leash for your new dog but it is all the better if you come prepared with your own. 

If you are adopting an animal from foster you will need to bring your own cat carrier or collar and leash for your new dog to transport them home.

You will receive electronic copies of all of your medical records at the time of the completed adoption. 

Step Five: A Lifetime of Happiness


Enjoy your new companion and send us updates on Facebook and Instagram! If you encounter any difficulties while your pet is adjusting and acclimating to their new home, please reach out to us. We can offer help, guidance, and resources. Please check your email for information about Maddie's Pet Assistant, the cool and free app that will help you through some basic transitioning with your new pet and alert us if there are any major problems so that we can reach out to you.

We want to thank you for choosing to open your heart and home to one of our rescues. We are ecstatic for you and your new companion!

Need help with your new pet? Contact our Help Team!

Adoption Fees


Dog adoption fees include a negative heartworm test, spay/neuter, micro-chip, heartworm prevention, and vaccinations:

  • Under 6 months old: $80
  • 6 months to under 8 years old: $50
  • 8 years and older: $15

Cat adoption fees include a negative FeLV/FIV test, spay/neuter, micro-chip, and vaccinations:

  • Under 5 months old: $50
  • 5 months to 8 years old: $45
  • 8 years and older: $15

Adoption prices may change during adoption events or specials. 

Hold Fees


A 24-hour hold is equal to the adoption fee and will be applied as the adoption fee once the animal is collected.

  • Holds are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
  • Holds must be placed in person. We will not accept any holds over the phone or through e-mail.
  • Holds can only be placed if you have filled out and submitted an adoption request that has been reviewed and approved verbally with an adoption counselor.
  • Holds cannot be placed on an animal that is not available for adoption.
  • You can only place one hold at a time and cannot hold multiple animals.
  • Our adoption counselors still reserve the right to refuse adoption even if a hold has been placed. A hold does not guarantee adoption.

Debit/credit cards are accepted and preferred but we also accept cash and checks for your convenience.
All adoptions are first come, first serve unless a hold has been made.

Pensacola Humane Society Non-Discrimination Policy


Pensacola Humane Society does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

These activities include, but are not limited to, selection and acceptance of members, volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our members, volunteers, staff, subcontractors, vendors, clients, associates, and constituents.