Ready to adopt a new family member?

Thank you for considering adoption! Our two Northside shelter locations are open seven days a week from 1pm-6pm. Please arrive before 5:30pm to meet an animal in person!

View our adoptable animals

Dog Adoption Fees

Adoption fees cover all of an animal's annual vaccines and spay/neuter.

  • Puppies (less than- $200
  • Adults (6 months or older) - $75
  • Seniors (8 years and up) - Fees Waived!

Cat Adoption Fees

Adoption fees cover all of an animal's annual vaccines and spay/neuter.

  • Kittens (less than 6 months old) - $60 for one or $30 each if you adopt two! We encourage adopting kittens in pairs.
  • Adults (6 months and older) - $40
  • Seniors (8 years and up) - Fees Waived!

Our Adoption Philosophy

Our Adoption Philosophy: Finding the Best Match for You and Your Pet
At Cincinnati Animal CARE, we believe that adoption should be open, transparent, and welcoming. We focus on conversations over paperwork, ensuring each pet is matched with a home that fits both the adopter and the animal’s needs.
Our process is simple:
  1. Personalized Matchmaking: Our staff will talk with you about your home, experience with pets, and preferences to help you find the right pet.
  2. No Judgment, Just Support: We believe people are the solution, not the problem, and we use the adoption process to educate and assist, not deny.
  3. A Positive Approach: We assume that every adopter is ready to take home a pet unless a significant concern arises, in which case we work together to find solutions.
We’re here to help you adopt, not make it harder. Come visit, start a conversation, and find your new best friend today!

Our Adoption Process

To adopt a pet, please stop in at either of our Northside shelter locations in Cincinnati at 3949 Colerain Avenue for dogs or 4210 Dane Avenue for our cats and kittens!  If you’re interested in an animal that is listed in a foster home, please email [email protected] to schedule a meet and greet. Adoption inquiries are responded to as quickly as possible and meet and greets are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis!

  • No appointments are needed for any animal listed as being on-site
  • Same day adoptions
  • No pre-applications. All paperwork is completed on-site
  • Open 7 Days a week from 1-6pm

Additional Adoption Information

Please note: We do not hold animals, and we do not have an online adoption application to reserve an animal in advance of visiting the shelter or meeting a foster animal. Please bring a valid state ID or driver's license to complete the adoption. The state of Ohio requires the purchase of a dog license with all dog adoptions for residents living in Hamilton County. Hamilton County's license fee is $19.75 for newly adopted dogs.

Our Foster to Adopt Program

Interested in adoption, but not sure if you're ready to take the leap? Try our foster to adopt program! Our foster-to-adopt program lets you trial-run a dog 6 months or older in your home for up to 7 days to make sure it's a match before you commit.

Looking to adopt small animals?

We occasionally get small animals like bunnies, mice, rats, guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, gerbils, turtles, and even fish! Check our current list of small animals available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Adoption

Do you have questions about adopting through Cincinnati Animal CARE not answered here? Contact us at [email protected]!

Apply to become a foster with CAC!

Open your heart and home to the homeless animals of Hamilton County. With over 8,000 animals arriving at the shelter every year, our foster families make all the difference!

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