Pet Adoptions in California

• Many California shelters are working hard to find stray animals a new home.

  Nationwide, stray and abandoned animals sit in shelters waiting for a home. Shelters often become overcrowded, as the accumulation of strays outnumbers the demand for them. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there are 70 million stray cats alone. In California, a number of shelters exist that are working hard to find animals a good home, regardless of how long it takes.

Animal Friends of the Valleys

• Animal Friends of the Valleys, located in Lake Elsinore, California, has dogs, cats and other animals available for adoption. Microchipping, vaccinations, a collar, an ID tag and a free vet check come with the shelter's adoption package. Animals that are not spayed or neutered come with an additional fee. When adopting a dog, the shelter will send out a "yard checker," who will make sure that the yard of the adoptive family's home is suitable for the animal. The shelter also hosts special adoption days at the local PetCo and PetSmart stores on Saturdays, in addition to taking select animals to senior communities in the area. Animal Friends of the Valleys is closed on Sundays.

  Animal Friends of the Valleys
  29001 Bastron St.
  Lake Elsinore, CA 92531
  951-674-0618
  animalfriendsofthevalleys.com

North Star Rescue

• North Star Rescue is composed of several foster homes and adoption centers in the Bay Area. This shelter specializes in small animals such as guinea pigs, rats and gerbils. Those wishing to adopt a small animal from North Star must complete an adoption application, then come to an adoption appointment. At the appointment, the potential new owner and the pet become acquainted to see if they are compatible. If so, the new adoptive family then pays the adoption fee and takes the new pet home. Most animals at North Star Rescue are not spayed or neutered, with the exception of rabbits.

  North Star Rescue
  Andy's Pet Shop -- South Bay Adoption Outpost
  1280 The Alameda
  San, Jose CA 95126
  408-297-0840
  northstarrescue.org

Pet Orphans of Southern California

• Pet Orphans of Southern California has been dedicated to helping rescue and place pets in new homes since 1973. After rehabilitation and being tested for temperament, the animals are put up for adoption. Animals are matched with suitable owners through an extensive adoption process. Potential pet owners fill out a short form; if the form is accepted, they will meet with an adoption counselor to find the right pet. Owners who already have a dog will need to bring their pet with them to make sure that the new dog will be a match. Adoption fees for cats and dogs include spaying or neutering, a tracking tag, flea control and deworming medicine, a microchip, and a DVD to help you learn more about training and pet acclimation.

  Pet Orphans of Southern California
  7720 Gloria Ave.
  Van Nuys, CA 91406
  818-901-0190
  petorphansfund.org

Pets in Need

• In 1965, Pets in Need began as a means to help lost pets find their way home. The organization expanded in 1993 to house and adopt out pets. Pets in Need takes cats and dogs from shelters that are near their euthanasia date and works to find them homes. Adoption entails completing an adoption profile and meeting the potential pet. When adopting a dog, all members of the household, as well as any dogs living in the home, must be present to make sure the new dog is compatible. Adoptions are available from Thursday through Sunday.

  Pets in Need
  871 Fifth Ave.
  Redwood City, CA 94063
  650-367-1405
  petsinneed.org