Adopt a Pet

Along with your new ’fur-ever’ friend, dogs in our shelter are given:

• 4-in-1 vaccination (distemper, hepatitis, parvo virus, and parinfluenza)
• Bordatella vaccination
• flea/tick treatment
• Adopted dogs ages 3 months of age and older also receive a rabies vaccination and County dog license/tag as part of their adoption fee.
• All animals adopted from us also must be spayed or neutered prior to leaving the shelter. If you adopt a cat/dog that has not yet been altered, it may need to stay an extra day or two for surgery.

Cats receive a 3-in-1 vaccination (feline distemper, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus). Maricopa County does not require cats to be rabies vaccinated or licensed.

Some pets on a legal stray hold (generally 72 hours) are eligible for a FAST PASS Adoption! 

What is the FAST PASS Adoption program?

• The FAST PASS Adoption program allows potential adopters the chance to reserve a dog or cat while still on a legally mandated hold.

Why are we offering this program?

• This option is a way to expedite adoptions, reduce length of stay, and better serve you. It also helps to ensure we will have life-saving space available for animals in need while maintaining a healthy number of animals within our Capacity for Care.

How does it work?  

• Most healthy, friendly animals are available for FAST PASS. All FAST PASS adoptions must be completed in person at the shelter; no phone or email holds will be accepted. The adoption fees for FAST PASS pets are generally $300, with some exceptions.
• You will have an opportunity to do a Meet & Greet with the pet however no dog introductions will be allowed for any FAST PASS candidate while under the legal hold period.
• Effective July 13, 2020, anyone may FAST PASS an animal on stray hold by remitting a $50 non-refundable deposit.
   - If the animal is not claimed during the stray hold, the potential adopter who had placed the deposit must pay the balance of the adoption fees (and surgery will be scheduled, if appropriate).
  - If the animal is claimed by the owner, there will be no refund or credit of the $50 non-refundable deposit.
  - For more information, review the revised FAST PASS information sheet.                                                                                              
• Note: There is a chance that the selected pet may still be claimed by the original owner within the holding period. FAST PASS pets may not receive a full medical or behavioral evaluation prior to the end of the legal hold.

We have recently expanded our veteran discount adoption program to include our valued first responders!

Effective September 7, 2020, in recognition and appreciation of U.S. veterans’ and first responders, MCACC will launch the "Pets for Heroes" Program. With this revised program, adoption fees are waived for most adult dogs and cats for veterans and first responders to take home their new best friends!

How does it work?

• Adopters participating in this program are responsible for only paying the $22 license fee, while the adoption fee is waived for all dogs and cats 5 months of age and older.
• All other animals, including puppies and kittens (younger than 5 months of age), Shelter Super Heroes and other premium-priced pets, are available for adoption through this program at 50 percent off their current adoption price. 
• Adopters participating in this program are also eligible to adopt through our Fast Pass Adoptions for 50 percent off the current adoption price, not including the $50 non-refundable deposit.

What verification is needed?

Veterans and first responders wishing to participate in this program are asked to provide proof of service or employment at time of adoption, including:

• Military Service
• EMT
• Paramedic
• Employment with local fire or police department
• RN or MD