The Greater Charlotte SPCA does not own or operate a shelter facility. Volunteers foster all animals in their homes until adopted. Many of our animals come from high-kill shelters and other rescue situations. We find that fostering gives us the opportunity to assess the animal's personality and needs. This allows us to best match them with the right adoptive family. Also, we are able to provide all care and medical needs for our animals. It enables the animal to develop a happy frame of mind before adoption. We have many wonderful animals looking for a forever home.
Adopt An Animal
Step 1: Find an Animal
View photos and details of all our animals up for adoption:
Step 2: Complete an INTEREST FORM
Please complete and submit an adoption interest form:
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact us:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a dog available if it appears on the website?
A: We make every effort to keep our website up-to-date. However, some dogs are very popular, and it may take up to 48-hours to update.
Q: How can I meet the animal I'm interested in?
A: We hold adoption events every weekend around the Greater Charlotte area. Check the website for upcoming event details. If you would like to meet a particular animal, please contact us so that we can arrange for the foster to bring the animal to the event.
Q: Do I have to complete an adoption interest form just to meet an animal?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the adoption process?
A: The first step is to find your new best friend. View photos and details of all our animals up for adoption on our website. After you have found your new best friend, please complete and submit an online adoption interest form. Once received, we will review it. We will contact your vet to verify that all pets are spayed or neutered as well as up to date on vaccines and heartworm preventative. We do not adopt to homes that have unaltered pets (except for a verifiable medical reason not to spay/neuter). You will need to bring current pets up to date on vaccines if they are not already. If everything checks out, we will contact you to schedule a home visit. If your home visit is successful, we consider you "approved". You can then proceed with the adoption. We will prepare a contract, have you sign it, and you will pay an adoption fee. You can then bring your new family member home.
Q: How long does the process take?
A: Usually no more than a few days to a week depending if you live locally and how quickly we can schedule your home visit.
Q: What does a "home visit" mean?
A: We visit your home to make sure that the environment is safe and suitable for the type of animal you're interested in.
Q: Can I adopt if I do not live in the greater Charlotte area?
A: We do allow out of area adoptions. However, if we have comparable competing adoption interest forms, the local applicants will get priority. Out of area adoptions may take a little longer as we will need to find someone in the area to complete the home visit.
Q: What does the adoption fee include?
A: The adoption fee includes all first year shots, spay/neuter, and a microchip.
Q: Do you offer low cost vet care or spay/neuter help?
A: We do not offer a voucher program for lower cost spay/neuter and vaccines.
Q: Do you take in strays?
A: If you find a stray animal within Mecklenburg County, please call 311 and request Animal Care & Control's help. This will allow an owner to reclaim the animal if lost.
Q: Do we need a fenced yard?
A: No, but it depends on the type of animal you're interested in. We will have a discussion about your activity level and lifestyle to ensure you are able to provide adequate exercise for the pet.
Q: I would like an outside only dog, will you adopt to me?
A: No. We consider all our animals family members and as such will live indoors in the comfort of a home.
Q: I adopted an animal from GCSPCA a while ago and can no longer keep it. What do I do?
A: Please contact us to arrange transfer of the animal.