Adoption Process

1. Come by our shelter at 5585 Sabre Road during Adoption Hours or attend one of our adoption events to meet available animals. Adoption applications are only accepted in person!
2. Once you find a pet you connect with, ask an adoption counselor to meet the pet. The adoption counselor can answer any questions you have about the pet or the adoption process. We’ll talk you through any medical or behavioral needs the pet has and offer tips on introducing a new pet to your home.
3. If it’s a match, complete an adoption application! The application asks for basic information that we need to complete the adoption paperwork, like your name, address, and phone number.
4. When your application is completed, hand it back to your adoption counselor. They’ll determine what your new pet needs to go home. Many, but not all, animals can go home the same day!
5. If you are adopting a dog and have another dog at home, we may ask you to bring your dog to the shelter to meet the NACC dog. We don’t know a lot of history for the pets in our care and want to be sure the dogs play safely.
6. If your new pet is not yet spayed or neutered, they will go home with you as a foster pet until their spay/neuter surgery date.

Additional information:

• Adopters must be at least 18 years of age, cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and with no history or animal abuse/neglect.
• Adopters with dogs at home may bring their dog for a meet-and-greet with their chosen NACC dog. This step is recommended for potential adopters. Staff may require a dog meet and greet depending on the NACC animal selected for adoption.
• Animals can only be fostered in the Hampton Roads 7-Cities, we will not be able to move forward with placing an unaltered animal into a Foster to Adopt home outside of our area.
• Fixed animals can be adopted into any city/state. However, they still must go through the same adoption process listed above with no special exceptions.

Adoption Fees 

Information on adoption promotions can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or by contacting us: 757-441-5505 or NACC@norfolk.gov. Look into our adoption programs for additional permanent adoption promotions.

• Dogs $75 Includes: Alter surgery, first round of vaccines, flea preventative, 1 round of deworming, & microchip
  • A Heartworm snap test will be attempted prior to adoption, but it is not a guaranteed service for adoption.
• Cats $75 Includes: Alter surgery, first round of vaccines, flea preventative, 1 round of deworming, & microchip
  • NACC does not FIV/FELV/Heartworm test cats
• Small animals vary
  • Does not include alter surgery, only a basic exam