If you want to add a dog (or a cat, or a rabbit, etc.) to your family, please consider adoption. In Charlotte, shelters are at or near capacity, and there are many shelter animals who would make great pets.
Dog adoption in Charlotte can be a little confusing because of various organizations that offer adoption, but we’ve gathered information and links about dog and cat adoption.
Read on for information on adopting a pet from CMPD Animal Care & Control, Humane Society of Charlotte, and local animal rescue organizations.
Browse a list of adoptable dogs and cats in the Charlotte area. (This is not a complete list.)
Adopting a Pet from CMPD Animal Care & Control
CMPD Animal Care & Control is at 8315 Byrum Drive, Charlotte, NC.
You can browse the list of adoptable animals here. If you’re looking for a specific type, breed, age, size, sex, or color animal you can fill out a breed request notification.
To adopt an animal, come to the facility with your ID (you must be 18 or older.) Bring a carrier for a cat (or buy a temporary cat box for $5) or a leash and collar for a dog.
The shelter doors open at 11 a.m. every day. All adopters in attendance at that time secure an equal position. If more than one person is interested in adopting the same pet, a priority order drawing will take place.
You can’t bring your own dog to see how it gets along with a shelter. But you can take a shelter dog on a Staycation for several days and see how they do at home. If you take a dog on a Staycation you have no obligation to adopt, but you have priority.
The adoption fee for dogs and cats is $30. Below is a list of other costs.
Adult Dogs (4+ months):
- Adoption fee – $30
- Spay fee – $70
- Neuter fee – $65
- Microchip – $8
- License – $10
- Spay Total – $118
- Neuter Total – $113
Puppies (under 4 months):
- Adoption fee – $30
- Spay fee – $70
- Neuter fee – $65
- Microchip – $8
- Spay Total – $108
- Neuter Total – $103
Adult Cats (4+ months):
- Adoption fee – $30
- Spay fee – $50
- Neuter fee – $45
- Microchip – $8
- License – $10
- Spay Total – $98
- Neuter Total – $93
Kittens (under 4 months):
- Adoption fee – $30
- Spay fee – $50
- Neuter fee – $45
- Microchip – $8
- Spay Total – $88
- Neuter Total – $83
In addition, the shelter at times houses other animals, such as guinea pigs, ferrets, snake, rats and more. You can see the various adoption fees here. Livestock is also occasionally available. Large animals (horses, donkeys, llamas, mules, etc.) have to be auctioned, but some smaller livestock are available for adoption at set prices.
Adopting a Pet from Humane Society of Charlotte
Humane Society of Charlotte’s adoption center is at 1348 Parker Drive, Charlotte, NC.
To adopt a dog or cat from Humane Society of Charlotte:
You must be at least 18 years old, and have ID, in order to adopt an animal.
Adoption fees are variable. They depend on the animal’s age, size, breed and temperament.
Humane Society of Charlotte offers pet training and behavior counseling to help the adoption become successful. Also, check out this list of dog trainers in Charlotte.
Adopting a Pet from Cabarrus County Animal Shelter
Cabarrus County Animal Shelter is at 244 Betsy Carpenter Place SW, Concord, NC.
You can browse the lists of cats and dogs available for adoption here.
In order to adopt an animal from the Cabarrus County Animal Shelter, you need to fill out a cat adoption form or dog adoption form online. You can find links to the forms here.
Adopting a Pet from a Rescue
There are countless animal rescue organizations in the Charlotte area that care for dogs, cats and other animals until they can be adopted.
Some rescues focus on a specific breed. Each organization sets its own adoption fees and requirements. For instance, a rescue might require that an adopter have a fenced yard or no children, depending on the animal.
You can find a large list of animal rescue groups that act as partners with CMPD Animal Care & Control here.
