The Marin Humane Society

Adoption Process

Thank you for your interest in our adoption services. We hope we can assist you in finding a perfect companion for you and your family. Here are some ways we can help:

Meet Adoption Animals Everywhere

Each day, our adoption volunteers record a message describing the animals who are available for adoption. You can reach our Adoption Hotline at (415) 506-6214. We host adoption outposts throughout the county – check our Events page for location information.

The Adoption Process & Adoption Fees

For your convenience, you may download a Cat Adoption Application or Dog Adoption Application to fill out and fax, mail or return in person. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these.

To better meet your needs, please complete an adoption application. It tells us what you are looking for in an animal companion, what expectations you have and the lifestyle you envision with your new friend.

At our Adoption Center, you will have an opportunity to meet and visit with your potential new companion in person. Spend as much time as you desire getting to know an animal. You may review specially developed behavior and health profiles, and lifestyle considerations on each of our adoption animals. Adoption counselors will work with you to help find that perfect pet, but bear in mind that this may often require more than one visit.

An adoption counselor will answer all your questions and review important information with you. They can help you decide what size, age, breed and temperament will most successfully meet your expectations. They will review information about your pet's adjustment to his or her new home, housetraining, health concerns, vaccinations, nutrition, training, grooming, etc.

Because adopting an animal is a family decision, please bring your whole family, including current resident dogs (if you are adopting a dog), to meet your potential companion. Please leave your resident cats safely at home.

If you need pet supplies of any kind – food, dishes, leashes, toys, flea & tick products, grooming supplies, litter – you will find everything you need in our pet supply store. You receive a 15% discount on purchases (20% on crates) on the day you adopt your pet.

The entire adoption process can be time consuming. But this time is well invested when you consider that your pet will live with you for up to 15 years or more. We ask for your patience and cooperation in the joyful process of bringing pets and people together.

Remember: We are here to help should questions or concerns arise, and we are committed to making each placement positive and permanent.

Adoption Fees:

Cats & Dogs	$150
Guinea Pigs	$10
Rabbits	$35
Hamsters	$5
Mice	$5
Rats	$10
Chinchillas	$35
Cockatiels	$30
Canaries	$20
Doves & Pigeons	$5
Finches, Zebra	$15
Lovebirds	$30
Chickens, Ducks & Peafowl	$5
Geese	$10

Fees for other animals are as quoted.

The Adoption Fee for dogs includes:

Behavior and medical evaluation
Pre-adoption medical treatments as needed (spay/neuter, blood panel, dental cleaning, x-rays, other surgeries, etc.)
Deworming, heartworm testing, flea/tick preventative and vaccinations
Microchipping
Free post adoption behavior consultation
30% discount on behavior and training classes
Pet insurance 30 day free trial

The Adoption Fee for cats includes:

Behavior and medical evaluation
Pre-adoption medical treatments as needed (spay/neuter, blood panel, dental cleaning, x-rays, other surgeries, etc.)
Deworming, FELV/FIV test, flea/tick preventative and vaccinations
Microchipping
Free post adoption behavior consultation
Pet insurance 30 day free trial

For Marin County Residents:

Dog licenses are required for all dogs over the age of four months who live in Marin County. Per the Novato Cat Ordinance, all cats living in Novato are also required to be licensed.

Click here for more information on licensing

Senior Partner Program:

Adoption dogs and cats who are 8 years of age and older are considered to be part of our Senior Partner Program. These animals are given a full blood panel to rule out any underlying medical conditions. This way adopters can rest assured that the animal is in good health.

Request Files

If you are looking for a particular type of animal, we will place your profile in our Request File and let you know when we find a promising match. Believe it or not, approximately 25% of our adoption dogs are purebreds.

Note: Our adoption center can be very busy with a limited staff of volunteers, so please continue to call our Adoption Hotline or check our Web page on a regular basis.

Rescue

If you are looking for a specific breed of dog or cat, we may be able to put you in touch with the people who rescue the animals of that particular breed. These people volunteer their time to place animals of the breed into new homes. Breed rescue can also tell you much about the nature of their breed, (their history, temperament and any congenital health problems) to help you determine if it is the right breed for you.

A special service for MHS members, Guardians for Life, finds new permanent homes for animals when their guardians are no longer able care for them due to illness or death. Please call (415) 506-6257 to find out more.

Thank you for making a difference. By adopting a shelter animal, you have given an animal-in-need a second chance at a happy life.

Special Pet Insurance Promotion

Alleviate the financial stress associated with your pet’s unexpected medical expenses and generate funds for our shelter at the same time! Simply apply for a ShelterCare Pet Insurance Program by using the ShelterCare banner-link.

Here’s how it works: ShelterCare Pet Insurance Programs cover you when your pet needs essential veterinary care from an illness or injury. Also, every time a completed application for a ShelterCare program is generated through our shelter’s Web site, we automatically receive a $25 donation to help cover common needs like blankets, litter and food. This donation is of no cost to you and provides us with essential funds. Make the right move and enroll today!

There are many animals in need of good homes. To view animals from other shelters try using the adoptions sites below.