Adoptable Pets

		Animal	All Cat Dog			Zip Code

Thank you for adopting a rescue pet. By adopting from a shelter or rescue organization YOU are saving lives.

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Adoption Centers

Did you know that when you buy a cat or dog from a breeder or pet store you help perpetuate the overpopulation of animals and displace one more home needed for the thousands of Utah’s homeless pets? When you adopt from a shelter or animal adoption center, you save a life! Some progressive pet supply stores like PetSmart and Petco have committed to saving lives rather than merely selling cats and dogs. These stores provide in-store adoption centers which are utilized by approved local adoption agencies. These adoption organizations bring homeless pets to the centers to match them with potential pet parents. Wherever you may live, it is likely a shelter, rescue group, PetSmart, Petco, or other adoption center is nearby.

Check back soon for our location map.

If you would like assistance finding an adoption center in your area call (801) 364-0370.

Rescue Groups & Shelters

 

Participating Utah Rescue Groups

Dozens of private, non-profit animal rescue groups operate throughout Utah. Many of these organizations run primarily with volunteer support and rely heavily on the generosity and support of the public. Some of them manage adoption centers and others operate completely thanks to volunteer foster homes. The rescue organizations listed below have pledged to enact high-quality animal welfare practices and strive to end euthanasia. Please support your local rescue group!

Printable list of Rescue Groups

Many local municipalities operate animal shelters. Such shelters are governed by state and local ordinances and those ordinances outline what services the shelter provides for stray, lost, or unwanted animals animals. Many offer adoption, spay/neuter, volunteer and pet-retention programs along with other services. Other private (non-government), non-profit, open-admission shelters operate within Utah as well. Please contact your local shelter for specific information on what services they provide and please contact them to see how YOU can support them in their efforts to help homeless animals!

Printable list of Shelters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No More Homeless Pets in Utah Adoption Program

The program started in September 2002 when No More Homeless Pets in Utah partnered with the West Valley City shelter with the mutual goal of saving lives. Before the partnership, 70 percent of the animals entering the shelter were euthanized, today that number has dwindled to under 35 percent. West Valley provides No More Homeless Pets designated kennel space in their shelter as well as unlimited access. In return, No More Homeless Pets rescues dogs and cats from the shelter’s euthanasia list and finds them new homes through an outreach adoption program. “We choose an average of 10 wonderful animals each week-these are animals who’ve been up for adoption but are now scheduled for euthanasia-and take them to various adoption venues around town”, says Autumn Wagner, the program’s supervisor. “Once in our program, they’re never going to return to the shelter’s general population, they are safe from euthanasia.” No More Homeless Pets staff members do the adoptions, and all fees collected go to operate the program. “The program wouldn’t be able to save so many lives without the help of volunteer foster homes, people willing to temporarily house adoptable animals.” says Autumn, “This program shows how successful collaborations can be, it’s good for everyone, especially the animals who find life-long loving homes.”

To meet some of the animals in our program and to find out about upcoming adoption events, check out our Petfinder page here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placing a Pet

An animal is a lifetime commitment with some animal's life span stretching well over twenty years. Being a responsible pet guardian means providing an environment full of positive activity, behavior training, and love. Should the time come for you to move, take the time to search out pet-friendly housing. If your family grows, include your pet in the preparations along with the new baby. When faced with pet behavioral issues, take the time to complete a training course or consult a pet behaviorist. Bottom line, live up to the commitment you've made to your pet and, in return, they will love you unconditionally.

Obviously, the best place for your pet is right where he is right now in your home surrounded by the people and places he knows best. But if you find yourself in a position where you absolutely cannot keep your beloved pet, perhaps the following suggestions will provide you a guide to placing a pet.

1. Call the adoption agency, or breeder from which you originally adopted your pet. Many adoption agencies and breeders have return policies wherein they will take back the animal and work on finding it a new, permanent home. Priority should be placed first and foremost on the animal's basic welfare which includes its home.
2. Talk to every friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker, etc. about your pet. You never know who might be ready to take an animal into their family. Be honest about your pet's likes and dislikes, special needs, medical history, and the like.
3. Place a small photo and description of the animal at your local veterinarian, pet store, or grooming parlor. Most have some form of community bulletin board in their common area and will allow the public to post a free listing for a short time. With so many animal lovers moving in and out of their doors, these are great places to post a listing.
4. Place a classified ad in your local newspaper and online classified websites. Newspaper fees are nominal and can bring you good exposure. NEVER list the pet as "free to a good home." As horrible as it is to think about, there are terrible people in the world who do terrible things to animals and the word 'free' is a green light for them to pick up an easy animal victim.
5. Only after you have exhausted ALL of the above options, you should contact your local shelter or rescue group. (A comprehensive listing is available by clicking here: Rescue Groups & Shelters.) Shelters and rescue groups are often times overcrowded and may not have room available to take in a new animal. Taking in one more animal when a shelter is already overcrowded could compromise the care they can offer their existing animal residents. Please be understanding. In addition, many groups will require a surrender fee. This fee just begins to cover the costs associated with caring for an animal until a new adoptive home can be found (associated costs may include, but are not limited to: food, shelter, medical, attention, etc.). Some agencies operate under ordinances/policies which prevent them from taking in animals from certain areas, etc. Call and ask questions of shelters and rescue groups to make sure their services meet the needs of your pet.

Be forewarned that if you choose to take your pet to a euthanizing shelter, there is a chance that your pet may be euthanized. Older animals or those with behavioral issues are especially at risk. A common misconception is that euthanizing shelters kill homeless animals because they don't care about animals. Many euthanizing shelters run exemplary spay/neuter, adoption, and pet-retention programs. These shelters despise euthanizing animals and are on the forefront of combating the tragedy of pet overpopulation. Many such shelters are mandated by local ordinances and struggle to provide a variety of services with limited resources.

For more information on animal behavior and pet-care tips, refer to Best Friends Animal Society's "You & Your Pets."

Additional resources from Best Friends Animal Society:

Finding Homes for Homeless Animals

Make a Flyer - Easy way to make a flyer for an adoptable pet