Complete Adoption Guide
Where to Adopt Pet Animals?
A comprehensive journey through the world of pet adoption—from channels to procedures, from costs to mental preparation—hopefully saving you some detours.
A Note Before We Begin
Many people share a similar confusion: they want a pet but don't know where to start. Pet stores are too expensive, and online information is all over the place. This article aims to clarify the whole adoption process—from channels to procedures, from costs to mental preparation—hopefully saving you some detours.
Every adoption journey begins with a single step toward finding your perfect companion.
The Full Landscape of Adoption Channels
Official and Formal Organizations
Government-run animal shelters are the most traditional and stable adoption channel. These institutions are typically funded by municipal departments, responsible for taking in stray animals, receiving surrendered pets, and finding them new homes. In China, "Small Animal Protection Centers" or "Stray Animal Rescue Stations" in various cities serve similar functions; in Europe and America, Animal Shelters are foundational infrastructure for community animal welfare.
The advantage of shelters is their standardization—animals have usually received basic health checks, and some have already been spayed/neutered and vaccinated. But shelters also have limitations: limited space, strained resources, and some institutions with euthanasia policies can create psychological pressure for potential adopters.
Animal protection associations are another important category. Organizations like the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the Humane Society, and various local animal welfare groups tend to be more flexible than government institutions. They often use a "foster home" model, letting animals live with volunteers while awaiting adoption—which means you can get more detailed information about the animal's personality and habits.
Breed rescue organizations focus on specific breeds. If you have a clear preference for a particular breed—Golden Retrievers, Corgis, or British Shorthairs, for example—these organizations can provide more specialized matching.
Informal and Community Channels
Honestly, most of my friends who have pets didn't adopt from formal organizations.
Personal transfers are the most direct approach. A neighbor's cat has kittens, a colleague can't keep their dog due to a job transfer—adoption through these "personal networks" offers high information transparency, and the transition tends to go more smoothly.
Internet platforms have infinitely expanded adoption's reach. Professional websites like Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet aggregate information on tens of thousands of animals awaiting adoption; in China, Weibo super-topics, Douban groups, and the "free pet adoption" section on Xianyu are equally active. These platforms offer rich choices and convenient searches, but they also come with screening costs. You need to verify the authenticity of information yourself and watch out for sales disguised as "adoption."
"They're sending off a life they've cared for with their heart—not some 'merchandise.'"
There's another group worth special mention: stray animal rescue volunteers. They're active in neighborhoods, parks, and markets, rescuing and caring for strays at their own expense, then finding adopters for them. Working with them, you often hear the animal's truest story and receive the most attentive ongoing support. Because for them, they're sending off a life they've cared for with their heart—not some "merchandise."
Adoption vs. Purchase: A Complicated Topic
"Adopt Don't Shop"—this slogan has evolved from animal welfare jargon into mainstream consensus. But honestly, it's not that black and white.
Pet overpopulation is indeed a global problem. American shelters receive about 6.7 million animals annually, nearly half of whom can't find homes. Behind this number lies irresponsible breeding, casual abandonment, and limited shelter resources.
Animal shelters work tirelessly to find loving homes for millions of pets each year.
Puppy mills are the focal point of controversy. These profit-driven, large-scale breeding facilities often neglect animal welfare to cut costs: cramped cages, lack of socialization, health problems from overbreeding... The puppies they produce ultimately flow to consumers through pet stores. When you're charmed by a cute puppy in a store window, few people think about how its mother might be stuck in some iron cage, repeating an endless cycle of pregnancy.
But I've also met some responsible breeders who prioritize genetic health, provide good socialization environments, and rigorously screen buyers. Once I accompanied a friend to see a litter of Border Collie puppies, and the breeder questioned us for over an hour—from "Do you have a yard?" to "How much exercise can you do daily?"—it felt like a job interview. Breeders like this are completely different from those just trying to make quick money.
So my view is: whether adopting or purchasing, what matters is that it's a well-considered decision, not an impulsive purchase.
Not Just Cats and Dogs
When we talk about pet adoption, cats and dogs tend to dominate the conversation. But the world of adoption extends far beyond them.
Rabbits are among the most frequently abandoned pets. During Easter, many people impulsively buy baby rabbits as gifts, only to abandon them months later because they're "more trouble than expected." Rabbit rescue organizations have emerged specifically to take in these abandoned rabbits.
Birds, reptiles, and small mammals (like hamsters, chinchillas, and guinea pigs) also have dedicated rescue networks, though smaller in scale and with more scattered information. Exotic pet enthusiast communities are often the best entry point for finding these adoption opportunities. But note that exotic pet adoption involves more legal issues: certain species may be banned in specific regions, and cross-border adoption is especially risky.
There's also a special category of adoption candidates: disabled animals, senior animals, and animals with behavioral issues. They're the hardest group to place in the shelter system. Adopting them requires more patience, financial investment, and expertise, but the rewards are equally unique. You're giving them not just a home, but a true "second chance."
Hospice Fostering
Hospice fostering represents the ultimate form of this: volunteers take home animals nearing the end of their lives to accompany them through their final days. I met a woman in a rescue group who specifically takes in dogs with terminal cancer. She said: "They've already suffered so much—at least let them have someone by their side when they go."
The Adoption Process and Considerations
Adoption isn't as simple as "see it and take it home."
A mature adoption organization will set necessary thresholds. A typical adoption process usually includes several steps: filling out an application, undergoing an interview or home visit, signing an adoption agreement, and paying adoption fees. The application will ask about your living environment, work hours, pet ownership experience, family members, and so on—the goal is to assess whether you have the conditions to care for this animal. Some organizations also conduct home visits to confirm your described living situation is accurate.
These steps might feel tedious, but please understand: for an animal that's been abandoned before, the next home must be reliable.
The adoption process ensures every pet finds the right forever home.
Adoption fees are another common question. Fees from formal organizations typically cover vaccines, spaying/neutering, deworming, and microchip implantation—when you add it up, it's often more economical than buying and then completing these procedures yourself. I once helped a friend adopt an adult cat from a rescue station—the 500 yuan adoption fee included spaying, three vaccine shots, and internal and external deworming. Doing all that yourself would cost at least 700-800 yuan.
If a channel claims "free adoption" but requires you to purchase expensive pet supplies, be alert—this may be a disguised sales tactic.
Before adopting, you also need to honestly examine yourself: How much time can you spend with a pet each day? Can your financial situation handle daily expenses and potential medical costs? Do all your family members agree and are they ready to welcome a new life? There are no "correct answers" to these questions, but if your answers make even yourself uncertain, it's better to wait a bit longer.
Legal and Ethical Boundaries
An adoption agreement may seem like just a piece of paper, but it carries legal weight.
In most regions, pets are legally considered "property," and an adoption agreement is essentially a property transfer contract. Agreements typically stipulate: you must provide necessary care for the pet, you cannot abandon or resell it, if you can no longer keep it you must notify the original organization... Violating these terms may result in legal consequences.
Animal protection regulations vary significantly by location. In some European countries, abandoning an animal is a criminal offense; in other regions, strays receive virtually no legal protection. If you're considering adoption across regions or even countries, you need to understand relevant regulations in both the origin and destination, including quarantine requirements, entry permits, and banned breed lists.
Post-adoption legal responsibilities are equally important. If your pet bites someone, you may face civil compensation or even criminal liability. Walking dogs off-leash, pets disturbing neighbors—in an increasing number of cities, these behaviors are subject to fines.
Doing the Math on Costs
Adoption might be "free," but keeping a pet is never cheap.
Initial costs include: adoption fee (if any), basic supplies (food bowl, water bowl, bed, leash, litter box, etc.), and first veterinary exam (if the adoption organization hasn't done one). This usually runs from a few hundred to a couple thousand yuan.
Daily expenses are an ongoing stream: food, treats, litter or pee pads, regular deworming, annual vaccines, grooming...
Let me give some specific numbers. My 10-pound domestic shorthair costs about 150 yuan monthly for cat food, 50 yuan for litter, plus treats, toys, and miscellaneous items—fixed monthly expenses just over 200 yuan. My friend's Border Collie is much more expensive—dog food alone is 400-500 yuan monthly, plus bathing and grooming, it's over 10,000 yuan annually.
The real financial pressure often comes from the unexpected—medical expenses. A single fracture surgery might cost over 10,000 yuan; treating a serious illness can easily consume tens of thousands. Before deciding to adopt, beyond daily expenses, you need to set aside a "pet emergency fund" or consider pet insurance.
For those with limited finances who genuinely want to adopt, some organizations offer assistance programs for low-income families, including reduced adoption fees and free or low-cost medical services. These resources are worth asking about proactively.
Two-Way Psychological Adjustment
When an adopted animal arrives at its new home, its baggage contains not just its body, but its past. Trauma, fear, distrust—these invisible things may take weeks or even months to gradually dissolve.
A newly adopted animal might display various "problem behaviors": hiding, not eating, eliminating inappropriately, showing aggression toward people or other animals... This isn't its "true nature"—it's a stress response. Give it time, give it space, let it adapt to the new environment at its own pace.
The 3-3-3 Rule
The "3-3-3 rule" is a commonly used reference: three days to decompress in the new environment, three weeks to start establishing a routine, three months to truly show their personality.
The adopter's psychological preparation is equally important. You might have beautiful expectations for this new family member, imagining it will be close to you and clever and well-behaved like in the movies—but reality often requires an adjustment period. When I first brought my cat home, she hid under the bed every day and wouldn't come out. I started wondering if I'd done something wrong. It only gradually got better. If you feel frustrated or doubt your decision in the first few weeks, that's normal. Give yourself and the animal some patience.
Returns are a heavy but necessary topic to address. If you find you truly cannot continue caring for this animal—whether due to health issues, life changes, or other reasons—the proper approach is to contact the original adoption organization or rescue group, not to abandon it on the street.
With patience and love, adopted pets flourish in their new forever homes.
A Mirror of Society and Culture
Pet adoption isn't just a personal choice—it reflects how a society treats animals.
In some cultures, adopting strays is viewed as a noble act; in others, people value pedigree and breed more, and "adoption" even carries a stigma of being "secondhand." These cultural differences profoundly affect adoption rates: in Nordic countries with mature animal welfare awareness, shelters have almost no animals waiting for adoption; in some developing regions, shelters are overflowing and euthanasia rates remain high.
Celebrity influence is a powerful lever for changing public perception. When stars post their adopted "mutts" or "domestic shorthairs" on social media, when protagonists in films and shows choose to "adopt instead of shop"—this information subtly influences ordinary people's choices.
In recent years, the idea that "adoption isn't settling for second best, but a positive choice" is being embraced by more and more people.
New Possibilities in the Digital Age
Technology is reshaping every aspect of adoption.
Online platforms have made access to information unprecedentedly convenient. On Petfinder, you can filter animals awaiting adoption by species, breed, age, sex, and distance, browse their photos, read their stories, and even "virtually admire" them for a while before adopting. Various domestic adoption platforms and mini-programs are also emerging continuously.
Digital platforms connect pets with potential adopters across the globe.
Artificial intelligence is entering the matching process. Some platforms try to use algorithms to recommend the most suitable animal based on your lifestyle, living environment, and pet ownership experience.
During the pandemic, "virtual meet-and-greets" became the new normal. Through video calls, you can remotely observe an animal's condition and communicate with rescuers before formally adopting. While this method can't replace real in-person contact, it has greatly expanded adoption's geographic radius.
Of course, technology also brings new problems. False information spreads more easily, "cloud adoption" may lead to impulsive decisions, platform commercialization may distort adoption's meaning... While enjoying the convenience, maintaining caution remains necessary.
Some Data
Let me share some numbers that left an impression on me.
30-40%
of US household pets come from adoption
6.7M
animals enter American shelters annually
~50%
reduction in euthanasia rates over the past decade
About 30-40% of household pets in America come from adoption, and this percentage has been rising over the past decade. Over the past ten years, euthanasia rates in American shelters have dropped by about half—the result of multiple efforts including the "adopt don't shop" movement, spay/neuter promotion programs, and TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) initiatives.
During COVID-19, many countries experienced an "adoption boom"—people in lockdown suddenly had more time and need for companionship. But after the pandemic eased, some regions saw a "return wave," with shelters overflowing again. This reminds us that adoption is a long-term commitment and shouldn't be treated as a temporary solution to loneliness.
There's an interesting phenomenon called "Black Dog Syndrome": black animals typically have lower adoption rates than other colors. There's no scientific basis—it's purely visual bias. Senior animals, disabled animals, and certain breeds (like Pit Bulls) also have significantly lower adoption rates. If you're willing to break these biases, you might find an overlooked but equally deserving companion.
How to Find Reliable Channels
Facing the complex array of adoption channels, how do you distinguish reliable from not?
Legitimate organizations typically have these characteristics: fixed contact information and traceable records, willingness to answer all your questions about the animal's background, necessary screening of you (rather than "all comers welcome"), written adoption agreements, clear explanation of what the adoption fee covers, and some consultation support after adoption.
Conversely, the following situations should raise red flags: rushing to close the deal, not asking you any questions, unable to provide health records or explain the animal's origin, requiring purchase of expensive items under the guise of "free adoption," refusing to let you interact with the animal before adoption, unable to provide a written agreement, or showing no concern for the animal after adoption.
On-site inspection is the most direct verification method. If conditions allow, visit the shelter or rescue station in person: Is the environment clean? Are the animals receiving basic care? Is the staff professional? These details can tell you a lot. For online channels, checking the organization's track record and reading reviews from other adopters are also effective ways to reduce risk.
Trust your instincts. If a channel makes you feel something's off, even if you can't articulate exactly why, please take that feeling seriously.
In Closing
Back to the original question: "Where can I adopt a pet?"
You now know the answer goes far beyond a single address or website. It involves choosing channels, understanding processes, knowing the law, considering finances, and committing to a life for the next ten-plus years.
If after reading this article you feel ready, then go for it. Whether it's a shelter, a rescue station, or a transfer from a friend—somewhere, an animal is waiting for you.