Thank you for your interest in adopting a companion animal from PAWS!
For over five decades, PAWS Companion Animal Shelter has led the way in providing expert, compassionate care for animals in need. We look forward to helping you find your next animal companion.
Welcoming an animal into your family is a serious decision and our expert adoption advisors take great care in guiding you through the process and helping you find the right match.
Three steps to adopting from PAWS.
Meet with an adoption advisor.
At our Lynnwood Shelter: Both dog and cat adoption advisors are available first-come, first-served from 12-5:30 Tuesday through Friday, and 11-4:30 Saturday and Sunday. Visitors are encouraged to come view the animals and get the process started in person. The adoption process for animals in-shelter must be done in person. Please be aware that wait times range from a few minutes to 2 hours.
At our Cat City location in Seattle: Cat adoption advisors are available first-come, first-served from 12-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visitors are encouraged to come view the animals and get the process started in person. Due to the high demand, please be aware that it’s common for people to line up before we open when we have kittens at Cat City.
Online: You can start the process remotely from our website if you are interested in an animal that is currently in a foster home. Click here for more information. Note: Online applications are for animals in foster care only. The adoption process for animals in-shelter must be done in person. All other inquiries should be made in person during our adoption hours at our shelter.
Visit with the animals
If you find a possible match, you’ll have a “meet and greet” with the animal(s) in a visitation area.
If you have a dog, you’re encouraged to bring them to visit a prospective dog to see if they’re compatible. With some of our dogs, we may require your resident dog be introduced prior to finalization. Sorry, we do not do cat visits.
If you don’t find that special match, come back and visit again! We’ll have your questionnaire on file for two months. We receive animals daily, so keep an eye on the website for new arrivals.
Finalize the adoption.
Congratulations on finding a match! To finalize the adoption, you’ll need to sign an adoption agreement and pay the adoption fee. You’ll also need to provide a driver’s license or picture ID that shows you are over 18 years old.
Finalizing an adoption and taking an animal home may happen the same day or after the animal is put on hold for you to think it over, get prepared or bring in your family to visit. Please note that we are unable hold animals for extended periods of time.
PAWS’ standard adoption fees
- Puppies (under 6 months) $440
- Adolescent dogs (6 months to 1 year, 11 months) $315
- Adult dogs (2 years to 8 years, 11 months) $240
- Senior dogs (9 years and older) $150
- 2 adult dogs (bonded pair fee) $315
- Kittens (under 6 months) $175
- Adolescent cats (6 months-1 year 11 months) $145
- Adult cats (2 years – 8 years 11 months) $110
- Senior cats (9 years and older) $50
- 2 adult cats $185
- 2 kittens $300
- 2 adolescent cats $240
- Adolescent cat & kitten $260
- Adult cat & kitten $220
- Adult cat & adolescent cat $185
- FeLV+ Cat or Kitten $50
- Seniors for Seniors discount (available to people 60+ who adopt a senior cat or dog) $35 for cats and $50 for dogs.
Adoption fee includes
- Spay or neuter surgery, microchip, de-worming and flea prevention treatment
- Vaccinations appropriate for the age of your cat or dog
- Certificate for a complimentary vet wellness exam
- Dog adoption includes a 1-week free trial for GoodPup, a virtual dog training service from certified trainers.
- We recommend bringing your own cat carrier or purchasing a gently used hard carrier for $15. Otherwise, we can provide a cardboard carrier for one-time use for $7.00.
PAWS cannot be responsible for veterinary bills or treatment of an animal after leaving our shelter.
PAWS is a private nonprofit organization located in the state of Washington. We are not a national organization and do not have the capacity to screen adopters who are not able to visit the facility in person. We are not able to fly animals to adopters in other states.
PAWS adopts out companion animals and does not evaluate dogs and cats for their ability to provide assistance.
PAWS reserves the right to approve all adoptions, as we are committed to the welfare of the animals in our care, as well as meeting your personal needs.