Adopt
ADOPT!
Save an animal, gain a friend
Worcester Animal Rescue League is committed to making adoption a success for both the adopter and the animal. Your safety and the safety, happiness and well-being of our shelter animals are our top priority.
When you are ready to adopt, you will receive your adoption folder, where we’ve enclosed tips, tricks and solutions to the most common issues people face with new pets. Feel free to call the shelter at 508-853-0030 or email us with any questions!
Dogs
Cats
WARL Adoption fees
Felines
- Kittens under 1 year of age: $350
- Cats between 1 to 10 years of age: $145
- Cats over 10 years of age: $50
Canines
- Puppies under 1 year of age: $500
- Dogs between 1 to 10 years of age: $225
- Dogs over 10 years of age: $100
Small Animals
- Rabbits: $60
- Other Small Animals: $20-$100
*Transport fees may be assessed for animals transported to WARL from other states
Occasionally there are discounted rates for adult animals that have been in the shelter for many months or for bonded pairs that must be adopted together.
what’s included in the fees
Adoption Fees are non-refundable; they are the cost of caring for an animal in our shelter. Adoption Fees include these estimated costs:
- Spaying and neutering: $200-$400
- Veterinary exam(s) while at the shelter: $65
- Dogs and cats are microchipped: $35
- Cats are tested for leukemia and FIV: $35
- Dogs are tested for heartworm: $35
- Age appropriate vaccines: $50
- Parasite testing, treatment and prevention: $50
- Dogs receive a collar and leash: $25
- Cats receive a cat carrier: $10
Included in the adoption fee is a free 30-day trial of MetLife Pet Insurance. You can decide at the end of a month if you wish to continue the insurance. In addition to the above costs, there is the daily cost of feeding and housing an animal from a period of weeks to months. Also many animals come to our shelter ill or injured. Treatment can easily add hundreds of dollars to the average cost of care.
How to Adopt
At the Worcester Animal Rescue League, we believe the best matches happen when you meet the animal first.
We encourage prospective adopters to visit us during our walk-in adoption hours to meet the animals in person. Once you’ve found a potential match, our staff will guide you through the adoption application and counseling process at the shelter. Our goal is to get to know both you and the animal to help ensure the best possible fit for everyone involved. In certain circumstances, an adoption application may be completed in advance at the discretion of WARL staff.
Walk-In Adoption Hours
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
If you are planning to meet an animal and are traveling from a significant distance, we recommend calling WARL at (508) 853-0030 before your visit. While we cannot place animals on hold, our staff can provide the most up-to-date information on an animal’s availability and help answer any questions you may have before you make the trip.
Additionally, if you currently own another dog and are considering adopting a second, we recommend bringing your dog to the shelter for a meet-and-greet with the potential new family member.
If you are unable to visit during walk-in hours, appointments may be available. Please contact us by phone or email to discuss scheduling!
Adopt Responsibly
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shelter dogs suitable as a service or emotional support animal?
Service and emotional support animals require specific training to meet the needs of their handler. Animals in a shelter have not been trained to perform service or emotional support tasks and should not be adopted with the intention of providing an immediate support. We echo the statement put together by Brown Dog Coalition: “We seldom have dogs who are low maintenance and can easily adapt to every new situation after a lot of transitions. Most of our dogs are in need of supportive and patient people to see them through at least the first 30 days of adjusting to a home and creating a new routine. Adopting a dog often includes a lot of love and companionship but also many sleepless nights, cleaning up accidents, resolving new and unwanted behaviors, training, socialization, exercise, and general disruption to everyone’s schedules — all of which can be anxiety-inducing. We ask that adopters have stable housing, financials, and be emotionally stable enough to provide for and commit to a dog who will be dependent on them every day for years to come.”
I have a letter from my doctor/therapist stating I need a service animal or emotional support animal. Can I adopt a pet?
There is no current letter or certification that exempts people from requesting to adopt a shelter pet as a service or emotional support animal from WARL’s adoption process. Every adopter, regardless of their individual needs, must comply with our adoption policies and have an approved application.
What kinds of dogs do you have?
Dogs are individuals and only a small percentage of their genetics dictate their physical appearance. At WARL, we do our best to identify what breed we believe they resemble the most, however, unless an animal is surrendered with a pedigree, identifying the breed is the tip of the ice berg. Every dog is an individual. Their looks or breed do not determine their temperament.
