Adoption Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday–Friday: 10am–6pm

Saturday: 10am–4pm

Sunday: Closed

While we encourage all adoptions to be completed 30 minutes prior to closing, it is to be understood that our mission is to find the pets in our care homes, which may require Adoptions to be completed up to and past our time of closing. 

HSSC is open to the public for normal adoption hours. No appointment is required. 

HSSC is located at 2331 15th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237. Get Directions. Look for the sign that says “Adoption Center.” There is a parking lot outside the Adoption Center.

The adoption fees we collect help us provide food, shelter, important medical care, and treatment for the animals.

 
We complete all adoptions digitally, so we can either text a checkout link to your mobile phone or you can complete the process using one of our devices. We accept debit/credit cards.

Additional Fees

• There is a $13 fee for your Sarasota County Rabies License and Tag. If you are not a Sarasota County resident, you will be provided with all the paperwork you need to obtain a Rabies License and Tag in your county.
• The purchase of heartworm prevention is highly recommended for dogs over six months. Prices vary from $35 to $50 for a six-month supply, depending on the weight of the dog. All preventives can be purchased at the Animal Clinic of the Humane Society of Sarasota County. All prescriptions require a physical exam.

Adopters Receive:

• $10 discount on your first K-9 Obedience Training Course.
• Microchip registered with Michelson Found Animals Registry.

Adoption Programs:

Military Adoption Program: The Humane Society of Sarasota County's Military adoption program is made possible by Sun Outdoors Sarasota. Thanks to Sun Outdoors Sarasota's generosity, adoption fees are waived for all active‐duty and veteran members of the U.S. Armed Forces when they adopt a companion animal from HSSC. Service members simply need to show proof of military service, and their adoption fee is covered. While not trained service animals, HSSC adoptable animals are guaranteed to provide love and support and be a true comrades in arms.

• A current and valid photo ID. Adopters must be at least 18 years old. The animal must reside with the person(s) listed on the adoption contract. Adoptions on another’s behalf are not permitted. All adoptions must be completed in person. We recommend that all family members or roommates meet the animal.
• If you rent a house or apartment, we ask that you provide paperwork that states it is ok for you to have a pet. Be aware of any breed or size restrictions your housing association or landlord may have in place. Here is a great guide for renters.
• If you are interested in adopting a dog and you already have a dog(s) at home, you may bring them with you for a meet and greet with your new potential pet, but it is not necessary. It is very important that your current pets are up to date on vaccinations and heartworm preventives. Please bring someone with you to hold your dog while you look at our adoptable animals. Owned pets are not allowed any further than the lobby and dog intros are done outside.  We ask that you DO NOT bring cats in for a meet and greet.
• Bring a leash and collar for dogs and puppies (no choke collars or chains) or a carrier for cats and kittens. If you prefer to purchase these items at the time of adoption, we have a variety of reasonably priced options for sale.

• All potential adopters are required to fill out an Adoption Questionnaire at the shelter.
• The Adoption Questionnaire helps our Adoption Counselors and Matchmakers understand what you are looking for in a pet. They know our available animals and are very skilled at suggesting animals that are likely to be a good fit.
• An Adoption Counselor or Matchmaker will guide you through the facility and show you the many wonderful animals available for adoption.
• There are special spaces where you can interact with the animal and introduce your current dog(s), if you brought them. You can take as much time as you need to decide if you would like to adopt.
• Once you have made your decision, your Adoption Counselor will process the paperwork and transfer custody of the pet to you. Meanwhile, the pet will receive a final “med check.” In most cases, you can take your pet home that day.
• You will receive an email with your pet’s medical history and a copy of the adoption contract, plus other helpful information. Please review these items when you get home and make sure to schedule any follow-up appointments your veterinarian.

Plan to spend at least an hour at HSSC to complete the adoption process. 

Our website has real-time listings of available dogs and cats. If an animal is not on the website, it has either been adopted or has been made temporarily unavailable. If you like to see which animals have been adopted, we post adoption photos on our Facebook page also.

Once you have met the pet you wish to adopt, and you wish to place a hold on them, a hold is only good until the end of the following business day. The hold fee is $20 and is not refundable and will be applied towards the adoption fee. If the adoption is not completed, the holding fee will be considered a donation to HSSC.

HSSC does not maintain a waiting list because we have no way to guarantee what animals will be available or when. We encourage those looking to adopt to regularly visit our available dogs and cats pages. Keep an open mind, too. We regularly see adopters fall in love with animals they never considered until they visited the shelter. Our Adoption Counselors and Matchmakers are excellent at helping your find the dog or cat who is right for you.

We are open to the public. However, you can always digitally browse our available animals on our website, which is updated in real-time. Animals that are not on the cats or dogs pages are not available.

There is always an adjustment period with a new pet, especially if you have other pets in the home. HSSC can help you manage the adjustment. Several handouts are available in the Adoption Center and in our Pet Health & Safety section.

If you have any questions, issues, or concerns about your pet once you get home, please contact us. Your Adoption Counselor can ease the transition and can refer you to our K-9 Behavior Coordinators or Feline Specialist.

Make sure to schedule any follow-up appointments with your veterinarian.

If an adopted animal turns out to not be a good fit, the animal may be returned to HSSC within 30 days of adoption, space permitting. There is no fee to return, but the original adoption fee will not be refunded.

After 30 days, animals must go through the surrender process at HSSC. Acceptance is not guaranteed. Learn more about Pet Surrender.

All returns and surrenders are by appointment only.

Read the Adoption Returns Policy (PDF).

The Animal Resource Guide (PDF) lists the various animal service organizations throughout Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties. Pet Pages publishes a print resource directory and has an online directory with quick links to local animal resources, including emergency veterinary care. Here is a great guide for renters looking for pet-friendly housing.