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.

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. Adoption visits stop one half-hour before closing.

Adoption fees

Adult dogs (over 6 months): $100
Puppies (6 months & under): $140
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.

Placement of high-interest animals

You may notice that some of our animals are considered “high-interest,” which describes dogs or cats whom a higher than usual number of people who want to adopt. These animals also have a higher adoption fee.

PAWS manages the adoption of high-interest animals by accepting a limited number of surveys from potential adopters. The higher fee enables us to care for other animals who stay at PAWS much longer until they find their new homes.

How to apply for a high-interest animal:

You will need to complete the following process before the animal becomes available for adoption:

First, come to the shelter to learn about the animal, when he or she will be available and the adoption fee.
If you think the cat or dog will be a good fit, submit an adoption survey in person and have it reviewed by a PAWS adoption counselor.
If the adoption counselor agrees the animal would be a good fit, your survey will be submitted for the final selection process.

Next steps:

The approved surveys will be reviewed during the final selection process and one applicant will be chosen to visit with the pet.
The visit must occur on the day the animal becomes available and during normal adoption hours.
The selected applicant must be able to come to the shelter along with all key members of the household. Ask the counselor if you have questions about who should attend the visit. If you want to adopt a dog, you must bring in any dogs at home to meet the new dog.
If the selected applicant is unable to comply with these guidelines, or decides not to adopt the animal, another approved applicant will be selected and invited to visit.
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 re-open the high-interest selection to additional applicants.