Adoption Information

Adoption Requirements

• 20-year commitment to the animal
• You may not be an undergraduate student.
• You must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
• You must allow a home visit (an IAR volunteer to visit your home prior to adoption.)

Note: Due to the nature of our adoption process, we can only consider applications for homes located within 60 miles of Durham.

Adoption Process

• Fill out an adoption interest application HERE or call us at 919-403-2221. A volunteer will contact you shortly to discuss your application.
• Our goal is finding lifelong, loving homes for our animals, so we try to find the best match between animal and adopter. We can help advise you on which animals to meet based on your situation.
• You can meet some of our animals at our monthly adoption fairs, or we can arrange for a meeting in the foster home. If it’s a good match, the foster parent will come to visit your home in person. This is to make sure your home is safe and secure for a new companion animal.

Note: IAR makes every effort to please our adopters, but our first concern must be for the animal’s welfare. We reserve the right to deny any application.

IAR Kitten Policy

Kittens are cats that are 6 months of age and younger. In most cases kittens must be adopted with a littermate, another kitten, or a young adult cat (general guideline of 2 years or younger). In certain cases a kitten may be adopted into a household where there is at least one family member who does not work outside of the home or a home with a dog as a companion. These exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis.

Kittens need playmates and if left alone all day without a companion, a kitten can become lonely or bored which sometimes can lead to mischief. It is our goal to make the best adoption match for both pet and person and to ensure that each new match made will last a lifetime! For more on why it is so important for kittens to be adopted with a second kitty companion click HERE .

Adoption Fees

Cat Adoption Fees

• Cats and kittens: $100
• Senior (7 years and older) and/or special needs cats: $50
• Pairs of cats or kittens adopted together: $150 for the pair ($100 plus $50).

Dog Adoption Fees

• Dogs and puppies: $150
• Senior (7 years and older) and/or special needs dogs: $75
• Pairs of dogs or puppies adopted together: $225 for the pair ($150 plus $75)

What Does the Adoption Fee Include?

• A behavior assessment 
• Routine deworming
• Combo testing for FIV/FeLV (adult cats)
• Testing for FeLV (kittens)
• Distemper vaccines: Distemper for cats, Distemper/Parvo for dogs
• Rabies vaccines (12 weeks of age and older)
• Heartworm test (dogs only)
• Heartworm preventative
• Spay or neuter surgery prior to adoption
• Microchipping

Preparing for Your New Best Friend

• IAR will deliver your new animal companion to your home, signing the contracts and collecting the adoption fee.
• We’ll also follow up and call you once in awhile to offer tips and advice during the normal adjustment period.
• Give your animal time to adjust. Please remember that your animal will need time to get to know his new home and to realize he is safe and wanted. Please be patient with your animal and know that this is a big change for him/her. Offer plenty of positive reinforcement.
• Need help with your shopping list? Here are some basic supplies you will need.