Adoption Process
 | Shelter adoption is an exciting and economical way to add a loving pet to your family. The Animal Welfare and Enforcement shelter takes in approximately 6,000 stray, abandoned, and surrendered animals annually. When animals arrive at the shelter, their health, condition, and temperament are evaluated. Healthy and even-tempered animals are available for adoption to good homes. Household frequency of adoption may be restricted to ensure animals are going to appropriate homes. | |
| All stray animals are scanned for a microchip so they can be reunited with family if at all possible. Animals with microchips or an owner info tag are placed in an ownership hold for 10 calendar days to allow owners time to reunite with their pet. Animals of unknown ownership or voluntarily surrendered are held for three days in which the shelter is open to the public. During this time, families and individuals over 18 are encouraged to visit and interact with the animals. Families are encouraged to bring current pets for the visit to check compatibility. When planning to adopt your chosen furry family member, an adoption hold should be placed, but the adoption can only take place after the hold expires. Holds can be placed in person during shelter hours. After the holding period expires, animals that don't already have an adoption hold are available for rescue or public adoption. Rescue organizations are required to be licensed with the State of Georgia Department of Agriculture and provide permission for individual pulls, per animal in advance. The animal will be scheduled for spay or neuter surgery, microchipped, and vaccinated. After surgical recovery, the pet goes immediately to the adoption floor to be available for adoption and go to their forever home in most cases. | ||
- This is an open-admissions shelter, meaning most animals are accepted.
- We attempt to find appropriate adoptive homes or rescue groups for all animals in our care.
- Animals may be refused or euthanized if they are injured, diseased/infectious, aggressive, and, as a last resort, to prevent overcrowding in accordance with Gwinnett County’s Animal Welfare Ordinance Section 10-36.
- This is a serious decision based on staff experience, training, and knowledge, and often in consultation with other resources.
- We strive to provide a safe and healthy environment for all animals.
Available Pets
Adoption Fees
Adopting a pet from the shelter is relatively inexpensive and includes spay/neuter, micro chipping, and vaccinations. Depending upon our overall population, most pets have been fully vetted and are ready to go home the same day as adoption, however, dogs with heartworms will be treated and neutered following adoption fee payment to ensure proper recovery and in-home care. Please visit the Gwinnett Animal Welfare webpage and our Facebook page, gwinnettanimalshelter, for our frequent specials and updates. Veterans (all foreign and domestic) and Senior Gwinnett Residents (age 55+) receive a 50% adoption discount upon proof. Residents must be at least 18 years old to adopt. All non-county residents will be charged double rate, or a maximum of $20. Animal Welfare may refuse adoption/rescue to individuals or groups at our discretion to best ensure the success of the animal and its future.
| Fees Per Animal | |
| Felines/Kittens: | $30 Each or 2 for $20 |
| Senior Felines Over age 7: | FREE |
| Canines/Puppies: | $45 |
| Senior Canines Over Age 7: | FREE |
| Any pet who has been at the shelter more than 30 days: Cattle Stock: | FREE $50 |
| Swine/Goats: | $25 |
| Equine Stock: | $100 |
| Fowl Stock: | $10 |
| Exotic Reptiles: | $10 |
| Fish/Vertebrate/Invertebrate: | $5 |
| Exotic Fowl: | $10 |
| Domestic Mammals (Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Mice, Ferrets): | $10 |
| *Rescue Pull Fee: | N/A |
| Impound/Reclaim: | $25 |
| Required Microchip: | $25 |
| Court Ruled Hold/Boarding: | $10/Animal/Day |
| Rabies Quarantine: | $200 (10-45 Days) |
| Livestock Boarding: | $15/Animal/Day |
| Trailer Use Pick Up Fee: | $35/Round Trip |
| Chemical Immobilization/Dart Fee: | $50 |
| Owner Surrender Fee | $25 |
*All rescue pulls must provide written, email or verbal approval for each individual animal pull if a puller or transport is pulling. Additionally, rescue groups must be registered with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and in good standing; proof of such can be on file with the Rescue Office at Animal Welfare. Additional medical procedures at the request of a Rescue Organization will be individually charged.
Pet Owner Responsibilities
| Adopting a pet from the shelter is a great joy, but comes with great responsibility. Consider the amount of time and effort a new pet will need versus the amount of time available to meet those needs before adopting. Keep in mind that animals need shelter, food, water, medical care, and love and attention. Pets require more than basic food and water. Younger animals enjoy high-energy households and can be playful, but will need time and attention for proper training. Older animals; however, will enjoy a calm, quiet household. |  | |
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 | Your veterinarian can assist with recommended feeding, preventative medications, temperament management, and vaccinations. Plus, they can be a good resource for boarding, flea treatment, grooming, and more. Gwinnett County Ordinances requires dogs and cats to wear current rabies tags. Check out the Gwinnett County Animal Ordinances for more information on responsible pet ownership, tethering, barking, and other related topics. Dogs can be loyal, cuddly, protective, and eager to please, but need someone at home to take them out regularly and take them for walks; visit www.gwinnettparks.com for dog parks and walking trails. A fenced yard and doghouse may be available, but your new best friend may annoy the neighbors by barking. Adopting a new pet from the shelter is an exciting time. Pet ownership is rewarding and the companionship is well worth the time and effort. |
Rescues and Animals Needing Rehabilitation
| Some animals are determined to need extra care, which include those that are too young or frail to be adopted, injured, or ill. Animal Welfare and Enforcement partners with many local rescue organizations licensed by the state of Georgia Department of Agriculture to place these animals where they will receive special attention they need. Often, through the hard work of the rescue organizations, these animals can be placed in good homes after they are rehabilitated. Email AnimalRescue@gwinnettcounty.com for more information. |  |
