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Adopt a pet

WHEN YOU ADOPT A PET,
YOU SAVE LIVES.
We have made the adoption process simple by removing roadblocks like lengthy paperwork, and invasive questions about your housing and income.

We believe that every family who wants a pet should have a pet, barring animal welfare issues, of course! 
  • Teaching Children About How to Be Around Your pets
    A new pet in the house is an exciting event for youngsters, but don’t let their enthusiasm turn into a nightmare for you or the new animal. Being pulled from under the bed by eager little hands or being flopped on by a child is very distressing to most animals, and especially for those in unfamiliar surroundings. Their only recourse is to scratch, snap, or run. Two out of three of these natural responses are likely to land them back in the shelter, which is hardly fair. Teach your children to respect animals as they would any other playmate. If their new pet doesn’t want to play for now, teach your children to leave him or her alone.
  • Your Pet's Behavior
    While your new pet may turn out to be the perfect lady or gentleman from day one, it is more likely that he/she will take a little while to adjust to new surroundings and routines. Be patient. Be positive. Yelling or hitting an animal in order to correct unacceptable behavior will only make matters worse. If your new kitty wants to hide under the bed for a few days until she feels safe, that’s OK. Just make sure she has food, water, and a litter tray. Behaviors like chewing, digging, and separation anxiety are just as common in dogs who come with a fine pedigree from a pet store or breeder as they are in mutts who have been rescued from a shelter. Most behavior problems can be straightened out with patient and consistent application of a few simple training techniques.
  • Your Pet's Health
    If you already have a dog or cat at home, make sure that your new pet has a clean bill of health from a vet before exposing your other animals to any risk. This is particularly important if you adopt from a municipal shelter, where veterinary care is usually minimal.
  • Where can I find more information?
    You can find more information and resources about adopting your pet or managing your pet's behavior or training by going to Best Animal Society. They have a large database full of how you can best care for your pet! If you would like to talk to us 1-on-1 about the questions you may have, you can chat with us by clicking the "Let's Chat" button at the bottom of your screen, or by calling us at 254-750-1454.
  • How old is the animal?
    Although puppies and kittens are cute, they can require a lot of work to train. An adult or older pet that is already trained may be a better fit for your lifestyle. For example, adopting an adult dog that is already housetrained and knows basic commands is often much easier than adopting a puppy.
  • Teaching Children About How to Be Around Your pets
    A new pet in the house is an exciting event for youngsters, but don’t let their enthusiasm turn into a nightmare for you or the new animal. Being pulled from under the bed by eager little hands or being flopped on by a child is very distressing to most animals, and especially for those in unfamiliar surroundings. Their only recourse is to scratch, snap, or run. Two out of three of these natural responses are likely to land them back in the shelter, which is hardly fair. Teach your children to respect animals as they would any other playmate. If their new pet doesn’t want to play for now, teach your children to leave him or her alone.
  • Your Pet's Health
    If you already have a dog or cat at home, make sure that your new pet has a clean bill of health from a vet before exposing your other animals to any risk. This is particularly important if you adopt from a municipal shelter, where veterinary care is usually minimal.
  • Where can I find more information?
    You can find more information and resources about adopting your pet or managing your pet's behavior or training by going to Best Animal Society. They have a large database full of how you can best care for your pet! If you would like to talk to us 1-on-1 about the questions you may have, you can chat with us by clicking the "Let's Chat" button at the bottom of your screen, or by calling us at 254-750-1454.
  • How old is the animal?
    Although puppies and kittens are cute, they can require a lot of work to train. An adult or older pet that is already trained may be a better fit for your lifestyle. For example, adopting an adult dog that is already housetrained and knows basic commands is often much easier than adopting a puppy.
  • Your Pet's Behavior
    While your new pet may turn out to be the perfect lady or gentleman from day one, it is more likely that he/she will take a little while to adjust to new surroundings and routines. Be patient. Be positive. Yelling or hitting an animal in order to correct unacceptable behavior will only make matters worse. If your new kitty wants to hide under the bed for a few days until she feels safe, that’s OK. Just make sure she has food, water, and a litter tray. Behaviors like chewing, digging, and separation anxiety are just as common in dogs who come with a fine pedigree from a pet store or breeder as they are in mutts who have been rescued from a shelter. Most behavior problems can be straightened out with patient and consistent application of a few simple training techniques.
  • Your Pet's Health
    If you already have a dog or cat at home, make sure that your new pet has a clean bill of health from a vet before exposing your other animals to any risk. This is particularly important if you adopt from a municipal shelter, where veterinary care is usually minimal.
  • How old is the animal?
    Although puppies and kittens are cute, they can require a lot of work to train. An adult or older pet that is already trained may be a better fit for your lifestyle. For example, adopting an adult dog that is already housetrained and knows basic commands is often much easier than adopting a puppy.
  • Your Pet's Behavior
    While your new pet may turn out to be the perfect lady or gentleman from day one, it is more likely that he/she will take a little while to adjust to new surroundings and routines. Be patient. Be positive. Yelling or hitting an animal in order to correct unacceptable behavior will only make matters worse. If your new kitty wants to hide under the bed for a few days until she feels safe, that’s OK. Just make sure she has food, water, and a litter tray. Behaviors like chewing, digging, and separation anxiety are just as common in dogs who come with a fine pedigree from a pet store or breeder as they are in mutts who have been rescued from a shelter. Most behavior problems can be straightened out with patient and consistent application of a few simple training techniques.
  • Where can I find more information?
    You can find more information and resources about adopting your pet or managing your pet's behavior or training by going to Best Animal Society. They have a large database full of how you can best care for your pet! If you would like to talk to us 1-on-1 about the questions you may have, you can chat with us by clicking the "Let's Chat" button at the bottom of your screen, or by calling us at 254-750-1454.
  • Teaching Children About How to Be Around Your pets
    A new pet in the house is an exciting event for youngsters, but don’t let their enthusiasm turn into a nightmare for you or the new animal. Being pulled from under the bed by eager little hands or being flopped on by a child is very distressing to most animals, and especially for those in unfamiliar surroundings. Their only recourse is to scratch, snap, or run. Two out of three of these natural responses are likely to land them back in the shelter, which is hardly fair. Teach your children to respect animals as they would any other playmate. If their new pet doesn’t want to play for now, teach your children to leave him or her alone.
  • 4. Get your Gotcha Day Picture Taken
    Once the adoption is complete, we will take a photo of your family and your new pet to put on our Facebook page!
  • Next Steps After Adoption
    ​If your new pet is not yet spayed/neutered, they will need to stay at the shelter, and you can pick them up after surgery. This is the policy for both the Humane Society of Central Texas and the Waco Animal Shelter. Your animal cannot leave the facility without being spayed/neutered. You will not be able to take your animal to your veterinarian to have them spayed/neutered. Your animal will be attended to by the shelter's inhouse veterinarian. We will provide you with an escape-proof collar and sturdy leash to take your pet home, thanks to Greg May Honda! An Adoption Counselor will call you within a few days after adopting your pet to make sure everything is going well. She will be able to provide you with advice and direct you to resources if you need them to help your pet's transition into your home. Note that if you adopt one of our more challenging dogs, you may be offered professional training to ensure a smooth transition!
  • 3. Sign your Adoption Contract
    You will provide the Adoption Counselor with your email, cell phone number, and ID, and she will email you the adoption contract, which she will go over with you, and you will sign on your phone.
  • 2. Meet with a Pet Matchmaker.
    They will ask you about your home, family, activity level, and lifestyle, and then walk you through the kennels to see which pets interest you. Tell the Pet Matchmaker if there are specific animals that you saw on our website that you want to meet. The Pet Matchmaker will bring you to a play yard so you can meet each animal that interests you. They are experts in animal behavior and will be able to assess which animal is a good match. Know that every pet is not right for every home. Just because you like a specific animal doesn't mean it will be a good fit. We match families and pets based on energy and personality, not on breed, appearance, and other baseless labels. If our Pet Matchmakers believe you are choosing a pet that is not actually right for you, they will kindly tell you why, and make other suggestions. For your safety and for the safety of the animals, we will not send an animal home with you that we believe is not a good match.
  • 1. Visit the Humane Society with every member of your household
    Bring everyone from your household to the Waco Animal Shelter (roommates, family, etc.), including your kids and dogs, during operating hours. Remember that our last kennel walk-through is 45 minutes before we close! Please note, if you come to the shelter without everyone from your household, including kids and dogs, we can walk you through the kennels but we will not be able to send you home with a pet. We need to make sure that the animal you choose is a good match for everyone!

adoption feeS

under a year
$100
Over a year
$70
Over 5 Years
ALWAYS
FREE!
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AFTER YOU ADOPT

Shelter pets need up to 3 months to truly settle into their new homes, and may need even more if they have a history of abuse or neglect.

Do not rough-house or play tug-of-war with your new dog, even if s/he is playful because this could establish unwanted dominant behavior.

Give your new pet space, and gently correct behaviors that you do not approve of using a water bottle or shaker can. Don't pull on their collar or try to force them into a kennel or room - you need to build trust.

At least for the first few months, feed and give treats to your new dog separate from your current dogs, even if they are getting along.

If your new dog is scared, they may be a flight risk. Do not leash walk him/her until s/he settles in and bonds to you, which could be months. Be sure your fence is super secure, and do not allow them in the yard alone because they may dig out or jump over, even if the fence is 8ft tall.

Do not touch your new dog or his/her food bowl while s/he is eating, and don't try to forcibly take toys away until you learn if the dog has food aggression or resource guarding issues.

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