How to Adopt a Pet at PAWS

PAWS has hundreds of cats and dogs available for adoption. Our goal is to help you find an animal companion who suits your household, lifestyle and personality.

Visit the animals in person

Once you have checked out some of the animals for adoption on our website, we encourage you to visit in person. View the hours and directions to PAWS’ shelter in Lynnwood or to Cat City in Seattle’s University District. Please remember that animals are adopted every day, therefore we cannot guarantee animals seen on our website will still be available when you arrive.

What to expect

PAWS participates in the ASPCA® Meet Your Match™ program, which is designed to help you find the pet who’s right for you. We do this by matching your expectations to a dog or cat’s personality and behavior. To determine who might be your match, we use a simple survey, explained below.

The survey:

Before viewing the animals, please complete a short survey designed to give us information about you and the type of pet you want. After you complete the survey, the front counter staff will tally the results and explain how to find the pet in the adoption viewing areas who will best fit your lifestyle and expectations.

To save time, you can print and complete a survey below and bring it with you. Printed surveys are also available at the Lynnwood shelter and Cat City.

Download the Dog Adopter Survey (PDF 315kb)

Download the Cat Adopter Survey (PDF 324kb)

Note: To open the surveys, you will need the Adobe Acrobat program to view them. Download a free copy from Adobe.

Look around:

In the Meet Your Match™ program, we evaluate animals available for adoption and assign a color to them based on behavior and personality.

After completing the survey, you too will be assigned a color. The color represents the type of pet who may best suit your family. But it doesn’t prevent you from considering an animal whose color does not match yours.

Please keep these in mind while viewing the animals for adoption in our rooms, kennels and cages:

• Some animals who do not have a color may still be available for adoption.
• Some animals may not yet be available for adoption and therefore cannot be visited.
• A staff member or volunteer can tell you if an animal is available.
• For health and safety reasons, please do not touch the cats or dogs before they are brought to a visitation area.

The paperwork:

Once you have decided which animal you want to visit, you’ll need to bring the animal’s records from the front of the kennel to the adoption counselors in the lobby.

The conversation:

We will use the survey you completed and the animal’s records to discuss whether the animal seems like a good fit for you and your family. If he does, you may then visit the animal. We may also suggest other animals who might be a better match.

The visit:

We will escort you to a visitation area, where you and your family can get acquainted with the cat or dog.

Please note that if you have dogs at home, they must meet the dog you’re considering for adoption. We also may require landlord approval or visits with other family members before we approve the adoption.

Adoption fees

• Adult dogs (over 6 months): $135
• Puppies (6 months & under): $175
• Adult cats (over 6 months): $90
• Kittens (6 months & under): $110
• Senior cats/dogs (7 years & older): $75
• 2 adult cats (adopted on the same day): $135
• 2 kittens (adopted on the same day): $200
• 1 cat and 1 kitten (adopted on the same day): $150

Adoption fees for individual or high-interest animals may vary. Please see below.

What's included in adoption fees

Cats get:
• Initial vaccinations
• Microchip
• Spay or neuter surgery
• Carrier
• Free visit to local veterinarian

Dogs get:
• Initial vaccinations
• Microchip
• Spay or neuter surgery
• Free visit to local veterinarian

Discounts for seniors

The PAWS Seniors for Seniors program offers a special reduced adoption fee of $35 to help seniors who are living on a fixed income. The program places senior cats and dogs (typically over 7 years of age) with qualified senior citizens who are 60 years of age or older.

Pet Request Program

Looking for a specific cat or dog but didn’t find one available for adoption? Want to add a puppy or kitten to your household? Then the PAWS Pet Request program may be just what you need to find that perfect match.

To get started, simply fill out a cat or dog Adopter Survey and then fax the document to the attention of the PAWS Adoption Staff at 425-742-5711. One of our adoption counselors will contact you to discuss what you’re looking for in your next companion animal.

You can also come into the PAWS shelter or PAWS Cat City to fill out an adoption survey and meet with an adoption counselor in person.

PAWS adoption staff will contact you to schedule an adoption appointment when we find a potential match.

Adoption fees through the Pet Request Plan are slightly higher than our standard adoption fee, and the extra adoption fee goes right back into supporting the other animals in our care:

• Cat/kitten $150 (standard fees are $90 or $110)
• 2 kittens $250 (standard fee is $200)
• Dog $175 (standard fee is $135)   
• Puppy $200 (standard fee is $175)

If it doesn’t work out, remember, PAWS always has many other wonderful dogs and cats awaiting a new home who could be a perfect fit for you.

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. Adoptions and one-on-one visits with animals end 30 minutes before closing.