Adopt A Pet : The Adoption Process

Thank you for deciding to rescue a pet! Animal Assistance League of Orange County is a no-kill organization that rescues dogs and cats from a variety of hardships. Since we are a no-kill rescue, dogs and cats stay until adopted and we have the benefit of learning a great deal about their personalities, their behaviors, their likes and dislikes. If there is a known behavioral or medical issue, you will be told. This enables us to assist you in finding a good match.

We require an adoption application, a veterinary reference, and a home visit. You must be 25 years old to adopt. Adoptions to homes with children under 12 years old are only if the pet chosen has a temperment known to be good with children under normal circumstances. If you rent, you must provide written permission from your landlord to have the pet you have applied to adopt. If you own, you must show proof of home ownership.

THE APPLICATION. An adoption of a dog or cat is a committment to a new family member for 10 -15 years or more. The application will provide information that assists us in finding a pet that is a good match with you, your family, your other pets, and your lifestyle. Your application will be reviewed by the AAL Kennel Committee. A VETERINARY REFERENCE is required on all adoptions. We will call the veterinarian who has taken care of your pets to confirm that your dogs or cats have received appropriate care in the past including routine vaccinations. Many veterinarians will keep files for 3 years. If your veterinarian does not have your information on file anymore, your application will not be approved. NO EXCEPTIONS.

HOME VISIT. Home visits are only done in or near Orange County. After an application has been approved, a volunteer member of the Kennel Committee brings the pet to your home for 30 minutes when all family members are present so that you will have the opportunity to spend time with the pet away from the kennel and ask further questions.

If you own other pets, they are introduced to check compatibility. If your home has a pool/spa/jacuzzi, it must be fenced separately to keep the pet from the pool. Your fence and gate must be of sufficient height (minimum 5-6 feet for most dogs) to make sure that the dog cannot escape and gates must be locked. Dog doors for small pets in areas with coyotes are not approved. Note: Most areas of Orange County, from the canyons to the beaches are home to large populations of coyotes.

ADOPTION...Dogs and cats are not adopted at the home visit. If you and AAL agree that the adoption is a good match, it is recommended that you adopt when you can be home for several days to help the new pet settle in to your home. Adoptions of dogs are $90 and cats are $70. Dogs and cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and dewormed. Cats are tested for Felv and Fiv. It is important that you and AAL agree that it is a good match. AAL reserves the right to not adopt a pet to any home in which it is not deemed by the volunteer to be safe, loving, and a good match. All decisions are final.

If you do not adopt from AAL, please check the local shelters. There are 50,000 dogs and cats killed every month in California shelters. Please save one.