Adoption Information

Adoption Requirements

• 20-year commitment to the animal
• You may not be an undergraduate student or member of the military.
• You must be a US citizen.
• 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 the Triangle area.

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.

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 (cats) or a temperament test (dogs)
• Physical examination by a veterinarian
• Routine deworming
• Combo testing for FIV/FeLV (adult cats)
• Testing for FeLV (kittens)
• Distemper vaccines
• Rabies vaccines (12 weeks of age and older)
• Heartworm testing (dogs only)
• Heartworm treatment (dogs testing positive)
• Heartworm preventative (dogs testing negative)
• 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.