Our Adoption Process
When you choose to adopt a shelter animal, you’re not just saving the life of the animal you adopted, you’re also opening up space for the next animal in need! Our goal at Morris Animal Refuge is to approach the adoption process holistically to make the best matches both for our adopters and for our animals.
Our Adoption Process
Morris Animal Refuge has a holistic open adoptions policy that seeks to find the best home for every animal and the best animal for every home. We do no not require appointments or pre-approvals to adopt. Instead, we will have a conversation about your preferences and resources and the animal’s needs. Visit our shelter (1242 Lombard St) or PetSmart Adoption Center (2360 Oregon Ave) during our adoption hours to adopt! We will process your information at the time of adoption and in most cases your animal can go home with you on the same day.
Our Adoption Process
Morris Animal Refuge has a holistic open adoptions policy that seeks to find the best home for every animal and the best animal for every home. No appointment is required to adopt with us; walk-ins are welcome. Visit our shelter (1242 Lombard St) or PetSmart Adoption Center (2360 Oregon Ave) during our adoption hours to adopt! We will process your information at the time of adoption and in most cases your animal can go home with you on the same day.
Adoptions are same-day, first-come-first-served. We cannot hold animals for pick-up at a later date.
The adoption process takes a minimum of 30 minutes. Please be aware that we are unable to begin an adoption less than 30 minutes prior to closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adding a pet to your family is a big decision. Doing research before can help you prepare for your new furry family member and can help direct you in your search for a companion that fits your lifestyle.
You can check out our adoption packets for information about how to care for a new pet, what to expect when you bring them home, and more!
We do not offer an online application or pre-approval process. However, if you’re considering adopting, we recommend reviewing the information above and preparing a quiet, welcoming space in your home for your future furry family member.
Our goal is to create the best possible match between you and an animal based on your preferences, lifestyle, and what we know about the animal. To ensure this, our adoption process is conversation-based, allowing us to learn about your needs and make thoughtful recommendations. If we find a great match for you, we’ll gather the necessary information and finalize the adoption on the spot.
Please note that adoptions are at the shelter’s discretion and are determined by various factors. If we find that we cannot proceed with an adoption, we will do our best to communicate our decision promptly.
There’s no online application, but if you’re planning on bringing home an animal it’s a good idea to read the above packets and set up a quiet space in your home for your new furry family member.
When you arrive at the refuge, please bring a valid photo ID and cash or card to pay the adoption fee.
It is encouraged, but not required, that you bring any children, current dogs, or other members of your household to meet the dog you are interested in adopting.
If you are interested in adopting a cat, please do not bring any other pets with you. Because cats require slow introductions to new animals the shelter setting is not a good place for them to meet new potential furry family members.
All animals adopted from Morris Animal Refuge are:
– Spayed/Neutered
– Up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations
– Treated for fleas and most intestinal parasites
– Microchipped
– Cared for by our loving staff until they find their forever homes!
We recommend establishing care with your primary veterinarian within 30 days of your adoption.
Yes we do! However, If you reside or move outside of the state of Pennsylvania, and need to return a dog to MAR for any reason you must contact MAR staff to review that my dog meets all out-of-state intake requirements per the Pennsylvania Dog Law. This includes providing a completed Health Certificate signed by a veterinarian from the originating state. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you will be directed to surrender the dog to your local animal control facility.
Adoption Fees
Adoption fees vary based on age of the animal, length of time in the shelter, and a variety of other factors. To get the most accurate fee for a specific animal, contact us at (215) 735-9570
Cats over 6 Months
$80 ($100 for a bonded pair)
Cats Under 6 Months
$150 ($200 for a pair)
Large Dogs Over 6 Months
$100
Small Dogs Over 6 Months
$350
Dogs Under 6 Months
$500
Adoption Locations & Hours
Morris Animal Refuge
1242 Lombard Street
Tuesday: 12pm-5pm
Wednesday: 12pm-7pm
Friday: 12pm-7pm
Saturday: 12pm-5pm
PetSmart
2360 Oregon Avenue
Monday: 6pm-8:30pm
Tuesday: 6pm-8:30pm
Wednesday: 12pm-3pm
Thursday: 6pm-8:30pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12pm-3pm
*Please note that our PetSmart Adoption Center is staffed by volunteers, so hours are subject to change based on their availability. If you plan to visit our adoption center at PetSmart, we recommend signing up for an appointment here. This will alert our volunteers and ensure someone is available to assist you. While this is not required, it is recommended.
