Thank you so much for your interest in adoption!
Here’s how the process works for meeting your match:
More to know:
- Please leave your current pets at home | Shelters are full of new sounds, smells, and distractions, making it a very overwhelming place at first for most animals. Though bringing your own pet in to meet a potential new companion might seem like it would give you peace of mind, it’s rarely representative of how they’ll interact once they’ve adjusted to their new home. To avoid creating any additional stress for all animals involved or giving an inaccurate sense of compatibility, we don’t allow in-shelter introductions and instead focus on giving you the tools to facilitate successful, gradual introductions at home.
- Bring an ID + a leash or carrier | We’ll need a government-issued ID (i.e. driver’s license) and will confirm that the adopter is 18 or older. If you leave with a new pet, dogs must be on a leash and all other animals must be in a carrier. You can bring your own or purchase any of these items in our on-site store where 100% of proceeds go back to helping animals and families in our community.
- Browse your benefits | Adoption fees for dogs and cats include their spay/neuter surgery, a microchip, and initial vaccines, plus everything listed below. Rabbit fees include spay/neuter, 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, 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. To learn more about what’s included in your adoption fee, check out our Adopter Information Video here.
- Meeting animals outside the shelter | If you see an animal on our website who is listed as “Available from Foster,” this means they are currently living in a foster home with one of our dedicated volunteers and are not physically at the shelter. You’ll find contact information on that animal’s profile page so you can email their foster parent to learn more about them and set up a meet-and-greet at an agreed upon location (including the nearest WHS location, if preferred). If you hit it off after the introduction and decide to adopt, foster parents can complete the adoption process right away and you can head straight home with your new addition; no shelter visit needed!
- Lifelong support | WHS is about more than just adoption day; we’re here as lifelong partners to help you and your pet through every twist and turn. Whether you experience behavioral challenges, need routine vaccinations, want to explore training options, or someday need end-of-life services, we want to support you however we can. Check out our Pet Resource Library for services available to WHS adopters and all pet owners in search of support.
“I got Cleo in June 2024. This year has been filled with laughter and lots of cuddles. Cleo was a benchwarmer and had been to the humane society multiple times before I got her. We were skeptical at first but knew we could handle her. All she needed was some structure and love. Cleo’s favorite toy is her giant white duck, she loves steak, and her dog friend, Juniper.”
Sereniti
WHS Milwaukee Campus Adopter
“We had a wonderful experience and gained an amazing kitto! Our little girl is affectionate, vocal, playful, and loves tackling her older orange tabby brother. We get morning nose-boops, daily door-greetings, and one of her favorite things in the world is to crawl onto shoulders and be carried around the house like a purring boombox. I couldn’t recommend adopting a furrever friend more – and this is a great location to do so!”
M.J.
WHS Racine Campus Adopter
“…We decided to adopt Lola after going to WHS and falling in love with her the moment we saw her. That first night … she started having binkies and teeth chattering (signs of joy in bunnies)! In no time, she was running around the house, eating lots of hay, and napping with me at the foot of my bed or taking naps on my chest! She is the sweetest, gentle angel ever and spends her days running around, eating hay, and exploring! She’s my soul pet…”
Xime
WHS Milwaukee Campus Adopter
Additional FAQs:
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.
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.
Each animal’s profile has their individual adoption 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 much longer.
For all cats 1 year and up, you get to name your own adoption fee. We also offer buddy pricing for kittens – if you adopt two at once, you get 50% off the second adoption fee… plus two happy companions who’ll wake each other up to play at midnight instead of you! Additionally, when dogs have been available longer than usual, they become a “benchwarmer,” which earns them a reduced adoption fee and eligibility in our “tryouts” program.
The Wisconsin Humane Society offers a 10% military discount on adoption fees at all campuses with valid proof of service.
