Finding a new furry family member is an exciting journey, and the Irvine Pet Shelter is here to guide you every step of the way. Located in the heart of Irvine, the Irvine Animal Care Center provides a safe and nurturing environment for animals in need, offering a wide variety of pets ready for adoption. Whether you’re looking for a playful puppy, a cuddly cat, or a gentle rabbit, the Irvine Pet Shelter is committed to matching you with your ideal companion. Please be aware that due to ongoing construction, the entrance to the facility has temporarily changed, and the Customer Care section is currently located in a portable office near the new entry. Keep an eye out for A-frame signs and blue “entrance” flags to easily find your way. For detailed directions, you can visit the Contact, Hours & Location page. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to helping you find your new best friend at the Irvine Pet Shelter.
Meet Our Adoptable Pets at the Irvine Pet Shelter
The Irvine Pet Shelter boasts a diverse range of animals awaiting their forever homes. Prospective pet parents can easily view the animals currently available for adoption online before visiting the shelter.
Explore Adoptable Dogs
Looking for a loyal canine companion? The Irvine Pet Shelter often has a wonderful selection of dogs of various breeds, ages, and personalities. Click below to see the dogs currently hoping to meet their new families.
View Dogs for Adoption at Irvine Pet Shelter
Find Your Feline Friend
If you’re a cat lover, the Irvine Pet Shelter is home to many adorable cats and kittens seeking loving homes. From playful youngsters to serene seniors, you’re sure to find a cat that captures your heart.
See Cats Available for Adoption at Irvine Pet Shelter
Rabbits and Other Small Animals
Beyond cats and dogs, the Irvine Pet Shelter also cares for and adopts out rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals. These often-overlooked pets can make wonderful additions to the right home.
Discover Rabbits & Other Small Pets for Adoption at Irvine Pet Shelter
Prospective adopters are encouraged to browse available pets online at any time by using the links above. Visits to the Irvine Pet Shelter for adoptions are on a first-come, first-served basis during adoption hours.
Visiting the Irvine Pet Shelter: Adoption Hours and Process
Planning your visit to the Irvine Pet Shelter is simple. Here’s what you need to know about adoption hours and the adoption process:
Irvine Pet Shelter Adoption Hours
Weekdays: Noon–5 p.m.
Weekends: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays and Holidays
Step-by-Step Adoption Process at Irvine Pet Shelter
Adopting a pet from the Irvine Pet Shelter involves a straightforward and caring process designed to ensure the best possible match for both you and the animal.
1. In-Person Visit to the Irvine Pet Shelter. Come visit us during our adoption hours! Please remember that adoptions are on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon arrival:
- Check in at the front office to let the team know you’re here to adopt.
- Complete and submit an Adoption Interest Form and Interaction Waiver. Our dedicated Customer Care team will receive your forms in person, timestamp them to acknowledge receipt, and then connect you with an Adoption Counselor.
- Adoption Counselors carefully review applications in the order they are received. They dedicate time to each potential adoption to ensure a thoughtful and thorough process.
- Please be aware that due to animal availability, staffing levels, visitor traffic, and unforeseen circumstances, the Irvine Pet Shelter may not be able to accommodate all adoption interests on a given day. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
- Important Note Regarding Popular Animals: To ensure fairness when multiple parties are interested in the same animal, the Irvine Pet Shelter uses a lottery system. If there are multiple interested adopters present when the shelter opens, all names will be entered into a lottery, and the adoption process will begin with the first name drawn.
2. Meet with an Adoption Counselor and Your Potential Pet. This is a crucial and exciting step! You’ll have the opportunity to spend time with the animal you are interested in, getting to know their personality and temperament. Your Adoption Counselor is a valuable resource during this time. They can answer your questions about training, behavior, and provide helpful tips for successfully integrating your new pet into your home. If the animal has any known medical or behavioral needs, our expert Clinic or Behavior staff will provide personalized pre-adoption counseling to ensure you are fully informed and prepared. Please allow up to one hour for this important counseling and interaction period.
3. Finalizing Your Adoption. Congratulations on finding a wonderful match! Once you’ve decided to adopt, our Customer Care staff will guide you through the final paperwork and adoption procedures. Please be prepared to take your new family member home with you on the same day, as the Irvine Pet Shelter does not hold animals overnight after an adoption is finalized. If same-day pick-up isn’t possible, the adoption will be forfeited, and you would need to restart the adoption process.
Important Adoption Information for Irvine Pet Shelter
To ensure a smooth adoption process, please take note of the following important information regarding adoptions at the Irvine Pet Shelter:
- Adopters must be at least 18 years of age.
- The Irvine Pet Shelter does not offer pet reservations via phone or email. Adoptions must be initiated in person at the shelter.
- To ensure the best possible fit for your home and the animal, we strongly recommend that all members of your household meet the potential new pet during the adoption process.
- Before considering adoption, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the animal ownership laws in your city of residence.
- If you rent your home, it is essential to understand any pet ownership restrictions that may be in place by your landlord or property management before you adopt.
- For particularly popular animals, the Irvine Pet Shelter may implement a lottery system to ensure a fair adoption process for all interested parties.
Irvine Pet Shelter Adoption Fees and Inclusions
Adoption fees help the Irvine Pet Shelter continue its vital work of caring for animals in need. Here’s a breakdown of the adoption fees and what’s included with every adoption:
| Type of Animal | Adoption Fee |
|---|---|
| Kitten (up to 5 months) | $170 |
| Cat (5+ months) | $135 |
| Puppy (up to 5 months)* | $270 |
| Dog (5+ months) | $135 |
| Senior Dog or Cat | $70 |
| Special Needs Dog or Cat | $70 |
| Rabbit | $30 |
| Other | varies |
| *Puppy Wellness Program: Recognizing the critical importance of early socialization for puppies, the Irvine Pet Shelter provides a $50 training credit upon completion of a basic obedience puppy training class within the first six months following adoption. |
Every adoption from the Irvine Pet Shelter includes:
- Spay/neuter surgery.
- Comprehensive general veterinary examination.
- Age-appropriate vaccinations to protect your new pet’s health.
- Flea treatment to ensure your pet is pest-free.
- Basic de-worming to promote intestinal health.
- Microchip implantation with lifetime registration, providing peace of mind in case your pet is ever lost.
- A sample bag of nutritious Science Diet pet food (dog or cat) or a bag of hay (for rabbits) to get you started.
- A complimentary vet check at a participating veterinarian. You can find a member veterinarian near you by searching the member list here.
Our Adoption Philosophy at Irvine Pet Shelter
The Irvine Animal Care Center, operating as the Irvine Pet Shelter, is driven by a core philosophy: to increase responsible pet adoptions while fostering strong, healthy bonds between humans and animals. This commitment is woven into every aspect of our adoption process.
Core Values of the Irvine Pet Shelter
The Irvine Pet Shelter operates on a foundation of:
- Mutual Respect: Treating every animal, adopter, and staff member with dignity and consideration.
- Innovation: Continuously seeking better ways to serve animals and the community.
- Integrity: Maintaining the highest ethical standards in all actions.
- Professionalism: Providing knowledgeable and compassionate service.
- Flexibility: Adapting to the unique needs of each animal and adopter.
- Responsiveness: Actively listening and responding to the community and the animals in our care.
To further enhance the adoption experience and ensure successful matches, the Irvine Pet Shelter utilizes the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match program. This program provides valuable guidance and expert advice to help you find the perfect pet companion that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences. You can learn more about the Meet Your Match program here.
Visit the Irvine Pet Shelter today and discover the joy of pet adoption!
