WE ARE OPEN FOR WALK-IN ADOPTIONS EVERY DAY FROM NOON TO 6PM.
SPCA of Northern Nevada believes in an open, conversation-based adoption process that carefully matches the lifestyle and expectations of adopters with the personalities and needs of our homeless pets. This approach gives adopted pets and their adopters the greatest chance for a successful, loving life together!
This Adopters Welcome approach embraces all community members, encourages them to adopt, and helps them and their pets succeed. It also acknowledges the connection among all local adoption agencies and the impact adoptions, or lack thereof, can have on all of the animals in a community. For more information on the benefits of an open adoption process, click here.
Three Basic Steps To
Pet Adoption
1) Meet our dedicated matchmakers!
Our matchmakers will share what they know about the adoptable pet. They are trained to make the best matches for our pets and for you. We learn about your household, lifestyle, and expectations to help ensure a successful match. If necessary, our medical heroes will provide a medical consultation too.
2) Meet our adoptable pets!
Loving matches take time! Please plan on 1-2 hours for the entire adoption process. Dog adoptions may require that any other dog(s) and/or child(ren) in the home be present to meet the adoptable dog. Even if not required, we strongly recommend this process. For dog-to-dog meets, please do not leave your dog unattended in your car. Our team can place an adoptable dog on a two-hour hold while you go home to get your dog for the meet. If traveling from outside of Reno/Sparks, please speak to our team about this, and we can accommodate your dog during the adoption process.
3) Complete the adoption and bring your new love home!
You’ll review the adoption contract, medical record, etc. We can also answer any questions you may have about bringing your pet home, appropriately introducing it to your family, and provide additional resources. You’re now part of our SPCA-NN family, so please call our Pet Help Line with any questions you may have in the future! 775.324.7773, 200.
WE ARE NOW OPEN FOR WALK-IN ADOPTIONS EVERY DAY FROM NOON TO 6PM.
Successful matches take time
Please plan on allowing adequate time to be matched with a pet, have relevant conversations with our adoption counselors, and complete all necessary paperwork. This can take 1-2 hours.
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You must complete an adoption application and meet with an adoption counselor.
- You must show a picture ID with a current address. If this isn’t available, a picture ID with a current utility bill will be accepted.
- A staff supervised meet-and-greet with current household dogs and children is required for most adoptable dogs.
Adoption Support
We are here to help you enjoy life with your adopted pet!
Pet Help Line: 775.324.7773, 200
Post-Adoption Retention Program
Some pets (dogs & cats) are pre-qualified for free behavioral support with our nationally renowned pet behaviorist, Kelley Bollen. These services may also be available for pets post-adoption depending on the pet's individual needs. Please call our Pet Help Line if you need help with your pet: 775.324.7773, 200!
ALL dogs adopted from the SPCA of Northern Nevada receive 15% off all training classes and services at Canine Rehabilitation Center and Cat Sanctuary! Additionally, some pre-selected dogs qualify for specialty training at CRCCS paid for by SPCA-NN.
We encourage all adopters to take advantage of these services. Training builds a strong human-dog bond, and sets you both up for success!
Adoption Prices
Thank you for considering adoption. On average, it costs SPCA-NN about $800 to care for each pet from their initial rescue to their adoption in a loving home. Below are our adoption fees, which we intentionally keep low and are used to help rescue more pets in need.
Please note that the adoption fees are suggested minimums and if you would like to donate more during the adoption process, you can help save more lives!
Available Discounts*:
Seniors (65+) – Fees waived June 15, 2024 until December 31, 2024.
Active military and veterans – Fees waived June 15, 2024 until December 31, 2024.
Nevada Teachers – Fees waived June 15, 2024 until December 31, 2024.
*Discounts are not applicable to kittens/puppies. Valid IDs required.
Potential Adoptions (PA)
People who are interested in adopting a pet that is not yet available may fill out the PA hold form.
- A PA can only be placed in person after you’ve met the pet. We cannot place a PA on a pet via a phone call, email, or other means of electronic communication.
- Only one PA name will be placed per pet, and a family may only place their name on one dog at a time (multiple cats or kittens is okay).
- We are not able to put a PA on a pet under 2 pounds or 2 months of age.
- Please note that dogs and puppies are not eligible for PA until they have had a behavioral assessment. (Pets returned for aggression of any kind are not eligible for this process.)
- If you are called about adopting the pet, you will need to return to the adoption center to complete the adoption paperwork that same day.
- Standard adoption criteria and fees apply.
- PA’s will not be placed if the desired pet is not deemed a good match in SPCA-NN’s sole discretion (based on our team’s knowledge, the behavioral assessment, prior home information, etc).
- If the pet is too young to be altered it will need to go out to foster. If this is the case, please understand that the foster will have first choice of adopting.
- PA’s will not be placed for people who are indecisive because we need to give each pet their best chance at finding a loving home quickly.
- No adoption guarantee is expressed or implied.