Adoption Information

Who can adopt an animal?

Chesapeake residents or citizens from adjacent cities. Persons who live out of state or who are residents of any city not adjacent to Chesapeake may only adopt animals that are already spayed or neutered or are capable of being spayed or neutered before they leave.

Adopters must be 18 or older with a valid ID.

Who CAN'T adopt an animal?

Persons convicted of cruelty, abuse or other serious animal ordinance violations may not adopt. Chesapeake Animal Services Unit reserves the right to refuse adoptions, not in the best interest of the animal or community.

What is the adoption process?

You can view Pets Currently Available for Adoption before you visit the shelter at 2100 S. Military Highway.

Visit the shelter during visiting and adoption hours:

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday;
12 noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, and
12 noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The shelter is closed Wednesday and holidays.

Complete an adoption application if you are interested in adopting.

Adopters must have an approved application, and all lawfully required rabies vaccinations and city licenses on any pets they currently own before adopting a new pet. Renters are encouraged to discuss their intention to adopt a pet with their landlord prior to adoption.

You can download an adoption application now:

Present a valid identification showing your current residence.

Sign an adoption contract promising to keep the animal only as a pet and to abide by the laws for the control and protection of animals. All dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered before a transfer of custody to an adopter, unless there is a medical reason prohibiting surgery prior to adoption.

How much does it cost to adopt?

The adoption fee for small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, small reptiles, livestock, etc. will be set administratively and depend on the type of animal. You will need to ask the shelter office staff about the particular animal you want.

For dogs and cats, the adoption fee is $35.00 plus the cost of spay/neuter surgery, rabies vaccination, and microchip implantation.

All adopted dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered prior to release unless there is a medical reason why surgery cannot be done at that time. Most adopters choose Chesapeake Humane Society Care Clinic, a low-cost spay/neuter clinic operated by the Chesapeake Humane Society. The clinic provides:

surgery,
rabies vaccination, and
microchip.

The cost for surgery, vaccination, and microchip:

$70 for dogs and
$40 for cats.

Payment for must be made at the time of adoption.

If $75.00 for a cat and $105 for a dog seems steep, here is what you get for the fee:

First vaccinations valued at a minimum of $25.00
Worming valued at $15.00
Heartworm or feline leukemia test in most cases valued at $25.00
Flea treatment valued at $15.00
A leash or cat carrier, coupons, and samples valued at $10.00
Spay or neuter valued at $300.00 or more
Rabies vaccination valued at $12.00
Microchip and registration valued at $85

That's a total value equal to $487.

If you prefer to use your own veterinarian for the procedures, please discuss arrangements with the CAS office staff at the time of adoption.

CAS is committed to reducing pet overpopulation. Eight million American dogs and cats are destroyed each year simply because they are surplus. Our shelter handles approximately 4,000 animals each year. Nearly 1,200 of them are euthanized because their owners do not claim them or no one adopts them. Spaying and neutering are the law for dogs and cats adopted from shelters.

What else can be done to help?

Sponsor an adoption through the “Guardian Angel” program.
Take a dog for a walk through the Snout and About Field Trip Program.
Volunteer at the shelter.