You’ve moved to Miami and found your dream home, but the place is feeling a little empty. What you need is a furry friend to share it with.
If you’re wondering where to adopt an animal in Miami, you’re in the right place. Adopting a pet is easy in Miami-Dade County, with kittens, puppies, dogs, cats and other small – and big – animals ready to move into your home . . . and your heart. Keep reading for our top pet adoption tips and advice!
Find Storage Near You!
Where to Adopt a Pet In Miami
You can adopt pets from South Florida’s many rescue groups, which take in dogs, cats, and other animals whose owners have died, who were turned in at the shelter and faced euthanasia, or who were found on the street. A network of volunteer foster families take care of the animals and oversee their socialization and medical needs until they are adopted.
Some rescue groups show adoptable pets at pet stores and others have small adoption centers. They also list available animals on websites such at PetFinder.com and at Petango.com. All rescue groups require an application and “meet and greet” (oftentimes at a foster parent’s home or nearby park). Many rescues also require home visits as part of the adoption process.
While adopting from a rescue generally means getting a little more idea of the pet’s history and temperament from its foster parents, you can also adopt from any of the animal shelters in Miami. These environments are definitely stressful, so the animals may not always show their best sides, but the staff does try to facilitate successful adoptions and will often work with you to find the animal that best suits your lifestyle.
How Do Shelters Get Their Animals?
It’s a sad fact that America, and much of the world, is overrun with stray cats and dogs. Whether they’ve gotten lost, been abandoned, were born to a stray mother, or surrendered by an owner, animals sometimes need to be rehomed. Most shelters receive animals turned in by people who have found strays or owners who can’t take care of them anymore.
Keep in mind that veterinarians also often have pets available for adoption, either foundlings or pets of clients who can’t keep them. Of course, if you’re looking for a specific breed of dog or cat, you might luck out at a Miami animal shelter, but should also check with breed-specific rescue groups.
While you can find dogs and cats advertised free or for sale on Craigslist and other online bulletin board, you need to be very wary of backyard breeders, because there are no guarantees the animals are healthy or that the breeder meets any standards (most don’t). But many of the pets, especially cats, offered online are strays that someone has found. Sadly, many people abandon pets on the streets, and kind-hearted people who find friendly strays sometimes do their best to find them new homes rather than surrendering them to one of the dozens of Miami adoption places.
Best Places to Adopt a Pet in Miami
When it comes to animal shelters in Miami, the two biggest sources of adoptable pets are Miami-Dade Animal Services, which operates a shelter in Doral, and the Humane Society of Greater Miami, which operates an adoption center in North Miami Beach.
Miami-Dade Animal Services opened a new 72,000-square-foot shelter in 2016. On any day, there are dozens of homeless dogs and cats available for adoption.
Miami pet adoptions require a driver’s license or other valid photo ID, proof of address and a collar and leash if you’re adopting a dog (or you can buy them there).
How Much is it to Adopt a Pet at Miami-Dade?
Adoption fees range from $35 for cats and kittens (you can get two for the price of one) to $65 for adult dogs and $85 for puppies. Adoption fees include all vaccinations, deworming, microchip and spay/neuter surgery.
Dogs over six months old get heartworm tests and license tags. Cats are tested for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia. Kittens and puppies get their first set of shots, deworming and microchips, plus kittens are tested for FIV and FelV.
Puppies and kittens less than three months old or three pounds won’t receive a rabies shot or sterilization, but rabies shots are required when the pet reaches four months old, and the county collects a $100 refundable deposit that you get back when you bring proof the animal has been spayed or neutered.
In addition to its pet adoption services, the county shelter also offers low-cost sterilization services as well as vaccines and microchips for pets you already have.
The Humane Society of Greater Miami is one of the best places to adopt a pet in Miami in North Miami Beach. Not only is it clean, well-run and extremely organized, but animals are safe from euthanasia can stay as long as it takes to find them a home.
Soffer
and Fine Adoption Center
16101 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
Phone: 305-696-0800
To adopt a cat or dog, you’ll need a picture ID. If you rent your home, you’ll also need a copy of your lease showing that pets are allowed or a letter from your landlord. Currently, adoptions are only available by appointment only Tuesday through Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. but be sure to check their website before hitting the road.
How Much is it to Adopt a Pet at The Humane Society of Greater Miami?
Adoption fees range from $35 for cats six months or older to $225 for puppies or high demand dogs such as purebreds. Adoption fee for a second cat is just $10. Fees are waived for any dog or cat that has been at the shelter for four months.
All pets come with age-appropriate vaccinations and microchips, and all have been spayed or neutered.
The Humane Society also offers low-cost spay and neuter, as well as vaccinations and other veterinary services at the North Miami Beach center and at a clinic in Cutler Bay.
If you’re not sure you’re ready to adopt and wondering how to volunteer at an animal shelter, Miami-Dade Animal Services, the Humane Society (and likely any other animal shelter in Miami) needs volunteers and foster parents. Volunteers work with animals at the shelters. Foster parents open their homes to kittens and puppies too young to be adopted, as well as animals recovering from medical issues or that need more socialization. If your foster cat or dog fits into your family, you can also arrange to adopt.
Helpful Pet Adoption Tips
Our best pet adoption tips center around making sure the animal is a good fit for your home from the get-go. Don’t be in a rush to acquire an animal. Talk with your adoption counselor or coordinator about your lifestyle, household, and pet ownership history. Be honest. If you are a couch potato, getting a dog that needs a lot of daily exercise will probably be a mismatch for you and for the dog. Likewise, if you love to run on the beach, an English bulldog might not be the best companion.
Be sure to consider the impact of a new furry friend on every member of your household. Ask your vet or adoption counselor for advice on making introductions to other pets (and people) to maintain a safe and secure environment. Also, be patient. Give the adopted animal plenty of time to adjust and plenty of support to make it feel welcome and loved.
Have more pet adoption tips? Leave them in the comments below or @cubesmart us!
