MEETING & ADOPTION INFORMATION

Requirements, Fees, Forms & Process

ARFLA ’s mission is to place homeless animals into loving homes and families. We take special care to match the right home with the right pet, ensuring a lifetime of love for both the pet and the adopter. To ensure the best matches are made, we have a system that has proven effective in determining the best homes for our animals.

Whether you are looking for an active dog for your family or a mellow companion to lie in your lap, our interview process helps us determine which animal will best suit your family’s lifestyle, wants and needs. We do the best we can to match your desires in determining an animal’s temperament, activity level and the animal’s socialization with other animals and people.

You must first complete the Application .  If your application is approved, we will then set up an appointment for you to meet any dogs you are interested in and that we feel would be a good match for you / your family.  We conduct a home check for every potential adoption, ensuring the dog will be living in a safe environment, to finalize the application approval process.


When you apply to adopt a pet, many reputable rescues and shelters require you to provide a lot of information, and for good reason - we want our rescue to go to a good caring home.  Read More here.... Due Diligence

Adoption Requirements, In order to adopt your new family member, we require the following:

  • Bring an ID with current address.

  • You must be at least 21 years of age.

  • We require an application with references.

  • ALL current and past pets/animals MUST BE ALTERED (Spay/Neuter), up-to-date on vaccinations, Heart Worm tested yearly and on Heart Worm preventative.  We will contact your vet for confirmation.

  • Must have a physical secured fenced in yard (unless you live in an apartment).

  • The entire household must meet an adult dog prior to adoption.

  • We require your landlord's phone number so that we can speak with him or her, to verify you have made the proper arrangements with your landlord. 

  • If you currently own or have owned a pet in the past, we require your vets name and phone number so that we can speak with them, to verify you do and/or have taken proper care of your pet.

  • We require that our dogs be inside dogs. We do not adopt “outdoor dogs”
  • We take many things into consideration when making a decision about placing our pets in homes. Every situation is different, so please understand that we are trying to make the best match for both you and our furry friends.


After adopting an ARFLA dog, if at any time you are unable to keep the them, it is stated in the adoption contract that they MUST be returned to ARFLA. The dog may not be transferred to friends or family, nor taken to a shelter. ARFLA will always accept an dog that was originally owned by us.

Adoption Fees :
  • Local Adoptions: $275
  • Adoption fees may be paid with cash or checks.
ARFLA’s Foster Parents and Adoption Coordinator are trained to help families choose the right pet for their personalities and lifestyles. ARFLA reserves the right to deny any adoption that we feel is not in the best interests of the family or pet.
Occasionally, people ask why there is any adoption fee at all when we are a non-profit organization whose mission is to place all our pets in permanent, loving homes. Unfortunately, it costs money to operate and properly care for our ARFans. We fund medical care, feeding costs, gas and electricity, telephone, Internet, building maintenance, office and building supplies, municipal payments in lieu of property taxes, insurance, and a long list of other costs from our own pockets to keep the organization running properly.
We are not subsidized by any state or national programs . The adoption fee covers only about half of our expenses; to cover the deficit we depend upon the donations of generous individuals wanting to do their part to ensure that our animals get the care that they deserve. Read more about how to make a tax-deductible monetary donation.

What's Included in the Adoption Fee? 

  • Basic health check for fleas, mites, skin conditions
  • Up to date vaccines including Distemper Combo and Rabies
  • Spay or neuter
  • Heartworm tests if over 6 months old, and treatment if necessary. 
  • Dog is on Heartworm Prevention program
  • Any necessary worming
  • Micro-chip Implant, a permanent ID to help protect animals from loss or theft.
  • 30 day gift of ShelterCare Pet Insurance with valid email address
  • Click here to see all the expenses ARF-LA incurs when preparing a rescued dog to become your new family member. 

Click Here to Apply to Meet & Adopt

* Must complete on a desktop or laptop computer, no smart phones nor tablets!