How Adoption Works
At the ARL, we consider ourselves great matchmakers! Our goal is to help you find the pet that best fits your lifestyle and family.
Step 1
Tell Us What You’re Looking For
Share the type of pet and personality traits you’re hoping for. If you already have a pet in mind, browse available animals online before your visit.
Step 2
Meet Potential Matches
An adoption counselor will work with you one-on-one, introduce you to pets that may be a great fit for your family, and give you time to get to know your selected pets.
Step 3
Learn About Your Companion
Your counselor will review known medical history, personality and behavior information, and notes from previous owners when available.
Step 4
Take Your Pet Home
If everyone agrees it’s a good match, you’ll typically be able to bring your new pet home that same day.
Paperless Adoption Process
Beginning September 18, 2024, all adoption paperwork is completed electronically. Documents are sent via email, signatures can be completed on your mobile device or on a tablet available at the shelter, and accommodations are available as needed.
Adoption Fees
*Please note: A convenience fee of 3.5% will be added to debit/credit card transactions.
Kittens & Cats
Fee Includes:
• Spay/neuter surgery
• Microchip
• Current vaccinations
PA sales tax and a carrier are not included.
Adoption Rates:
$165 — 6 months and younger
$100 — 7 months up to 2 years old
$50 — 3 up to 7 years old
$25 — 8+ years old (or free to senior humans 65+ through Seniors for Seniors)
Discounts: Second kitten under 6 months is $50 off. For cats 7 months and older: adopting two or more pets at once discounts the second pet’s adoption fee by 50%!
Puppies & Dogs
Fee Includes:
• Spay/neuter surgery
• Microchip
• Current vaccinations
A $9.20 PA dog license, PA sales tax, a collar, and a leash are not included.
Dogs Under 40 lbs:
$425 (6 mo & younger)
$275 (7 mo – 2 yrs)
$175 (3 – 7 yrs)
$75 (8+ yrs or free for seniors 65+)
Dogs Over 40 lbs:
$425 (6 mo & younger)
$250 (7 mo – 2 yrs)
$150 (3 – 7 yrs)
$25 (8+ yrs or free for seniors 65+)
Discounts: Adopting two or more pets at once discounts the second pet’s adoption fee by 50%! *Excluding puppies under 6 months.
Farm Animals
Adoption Rates:
$5 — Fowl
$100 — Pigs
$75 — Male Goats
$100 — Female Goats
Varies — Horses (minimum donation $250)
Farm animals may be excluded from promotions and sponsored/free adoption events.
Small Animals
Adoption Rates:
$50 — Rabbits
$25 — Guinea pigs
$10 — Hamsters / gerbils / mice
$85 — Ferrets / chinchillas
Birds
Adoption Rates:
$25 — Lovebirds
$20 — Parakeets / canaries
$45 — Cockatiels
$100 — Conures
$150 — Parrots
$200 — Macaws
Reptiles & Amphibians
Adoption Rates:
$5 — Turtles
$20 — Small reptiles
$30 — Medium iguanas
$40 — Bearded dragons
$50 — Large reptiles
Adoption Process FAQ
Everything you need to know about welcoming your new companion.
What’s the adoption process like?
At the ARL, we consider ourselves great matchmakers! Our goal is to help you find the pet that best fits your lifestyle and family. You will begin by sharing the traits and type of pet you are hoping for. Next, an adoption counselor works with you one-on-one to introduce potential pets and allow time to get acquainted. Before finalizing, the counselor reviews all known medical records, behavioral information, and prior notes when available. If everyone agrees it is a good match, you can typically bring your pet home the same day.
Can I take a pet home before completing an adoption?
Yes! We offer Trial Adoptions
If you’re not ready to make a commitment or want to make sure a pet is the right fit, you may be eligible for a Trial Adoption.
If the pet isn’t the right match, simply return them, and our team will be happy to help you find another companion.
- Take your potential new pet home for up to two weeks.
- Sign a Trial Adoption agreement with our Pet Placement team.
- Adoption fees are collected only when the adoption is finalized.
Check out our Dog’s Day Out Program or our Cat’s Day In Program for no commitment 1-on-1 time with a pet!
Are all pets examined, spayed/neutered, and vaccinated at the time of adoption?
Yes, they are!
All pets–including kittens and puppies are spayed/neutered, given all current vaccines, and medically cleared before they leave the shelter.
Plus, all pets receive a microchip to help you reunite just in case they ever become lost.
How do I know if a pet will do well with other pets or children?
Every animal is an individual, but in a shelter setting, we often have limited background information, especially for pets who arrive as strays.
What We Do Know
- We review any history shared by previous owners when available and will often list it on their profile.
- Our behavior team observes and assesses pets while they are in our care.
- We use this information to help guide potential matches.
Meet & Introductions in the Shelter
- We are only able to safely conduct dog-to-dog introductions on site.
- This is the only type of in-shelter introduction we can complete.
- You are welcome to bring your resident dog for a meet-and-greet at the shelter with another dog.
Other Pets in the Home
- We are not able to safely conduct introductions between dogs and cats (or other small animals) in the shelter setting.
- If you have other animals at home, our team can help talk through guidance and set you up for success.
Children in the Home
- You are welcome to bring children with you for any meet-and-greet.
- This can help us better understand how a pet may respond to your family environment.
Support & Resources
- We can provide printed and digital resources to help with introductions at home.
- Our team is happy to discuss concerns and help you plan ahead.
At Home Recommendation
We always recommend:
- Slow, structured introductions
- Safe, separate spaces at first
- Supervised and controlled interactions
- Patience as everyone adjusts to the new routine
Our goal is to help set both pets and families up for a safe and successful transition.
When do you get more animals, like puppies or kittens?
Your guess is as good as ours!
Our population is always changing, and we have an ever-changing population of pets in need who come through our doors each day.
The best way to see who is available is to check our website, which is continuously updated throughout the day as pets become available for adoption or as they find homes. View here
Can I “reserve” a pet for adoption?
Adoptions are first-come, first-served
To ensure a fair and consistent process for all adopters, we do not offer reservation services.
Instead, we use a first-come, first-served virtual waitlist for adoption visits.
Daily Waitlist
- Opens daily at 9:00 AM
- Used to manage adoption appointments in order
Arrival & Check-In Times
- Adopters must be present when doors open:
10:00 AM Monday, Wednesday–Friday
9:00 AM Saturday & Sunday
Closed Tuesdays - Please be ready and present when your name is called
Important Notes
- Upon arrival, please click HERE to check in for your turn.
- If your name is called and you are not present, you will need to rejoin the waitlist.
- Waitlist may open earlier during special adoption events.
Can I get an adoption appointment?
Appointments are not accepted unless needed to meet a pet in foster care.
Adopters can join our daily virtual waitlist here.
- You’ll receive a text and email when it’s your turn to meet with a staff member.
- You will be assisted in order of the waitlist.
- You can monitor your place in line while you wait.
- Pets in foster homes (requiring an appointment) will be clearly labeled with “In Foster” in their name.
Appointments for medical services or assistance with owned animals are available through our Pet Help Center and the Medical Center.
Can I be alerted when a particular pet goes up for adoption?
No
Because we are constantly managing an ever-changing population at the shelter, we are unfortunately unable to provide an alert service.
However, our website is continuously updated throughout the day as pets become available for adoption or as they find homes. This is your best place to check each day to see who’s available and ready to find a new home here!
Do you provide training?
No, but we can offer resources.
Although we do not provide training classes at the shelter, we are currently looking to offer a training service through Bogey’s Academy program for dogs with behavioral challenges. Thanks to a generous donor, we are currently researching providers to assist with this service. Ask our adoption team about this opportunity. If you wish to donate to support the scholarship, please contact development@berksarl.org.
What if the pet we choose isn’t a good match for our family?
We want every adoption to be a happy match, but we understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned.
That’s why we offer a Happiness Guarantee:
- Our goal is to help both pets and families find the right fit.
- Returns are welcome without judgment or criticism.
- We offer a money-back guarantee within the first 14 days after adoption.
Are there any Senior or Veteran Discounts?
Yes!
We are proud to offer our Seniors for Seniors and Patriotic Paws Program for adopters.
Patriotic Paws: As part of this program, qualifying veterans who present a valid military ID or DD-214 will have their adoption fee waived for their 6 months of age or older spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped pet.
Seniors for Seniors: To encourage senior pet and human companionship, the ARL is pleased to offer free adoptions of senior pets to senior humans.
Can I walk into the kennel spaces to see the available dogs?
Our dog kennels are open for browsing during select hours of operation.
We currently offer kennel browsing from 1-4pm on Mon, or Wed -Sun. During any other times outside of kennel browsing, we offer meet & greets with the dogs outside of the kennel. Talk with our team on the best way to meet the dogs you are looking for! To see our adoptables and their profiles, please visit www.berksarl.org/pets
Do I need to fill out an application?
No. We do not require adoption applications.
Instead, we’ll gather some information about you, your family, your lifestyle, and any pets at home so we can help you find the best match.
To save time during your visit, you can complete your adopter profile in advance or fill it out when you arrive at the shelter.
- Dog adopter profile
- Cat adopter profile
- Smallies adopter profile
- Barn animal adopter profile
*Completing this form does not reserve a pet or add you to a waitlist. The adopter must be present at the shelter to continue the process.
Who should come with me when I adopt a pet?
While not required, we recommend:
- Bringing your current dog if you are adopting another dog, so they can get to know each other before going home.
- Bringing all household members to meet your potential new pet.
How long does adopting a pet take?
Planning Your Visit
Please allow at least one hour for your adoption visit.
Our team provides one-on-one assistance to every adopter.
We recommend arriving early, especially on weekends and other busy times.
There may be a wait, but we promise it’s worth your patience!
Want to Save Time?
Join our virtual waitlist before your visit.
Please read all waitlist instructions carefully before signing up.