What To Expect

What To Expect

Thank you for choosing to open your home to one of our adoptable animals! Bringing a new animal into your home is an exciting opportunity for you, your family, and the pet you choose. Adoptable animals are available to meet 7 days-a-week during the following hours:

Sunday-Thursday: 11am-5pm
Friday: 11am-7pm
Saturday: 11am-6pm

We encourage all interested adopters to come prepared to take their new pet home. Adopters must be at least 18 years of age or older and will need the following:

  • A valid form of photo identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
  • A valid form of payment- cash or credit card

Before you arrive at the Humane Society of Charlotte, make sure to:

  • Verify with your landlord/HOA if there are any pet restrictions you need to know.
  • If you see a particular animal you would like to meet, read their profile to make sure there are no additional items or steps you need to take in order to meet them.

Adoption Fees

HSC adoption fees are based on a number of factors such as animal, breed, size, and temperament. Our variable fee structure helps create a financial legacy for animals in our care who require advanced medical or behavioral support.

Every adoption fee directly supports the care each pet receives before going home.

What’s included in an HSC adoption fee?

  • Spay/Neuter surgery: $40-$125
  • Microchip: $20
  • Physical Exams: $45–$55
  • DAPP Vaccine for Dogs: $15–$60
  • Bordetella Vaccine for Dogs: $15–$60
  • FVRCP Vaccine for Cats: $15–$60
  • Rabies Vaccine for Dogs and Cats if age appropriate: $15–$60
  • Heartworm Testing for Dogs 6 months and older: $25
  • Heartworm Treatment if eligible: $500–$1,000
  • Heartworm Preventative: $50–$100
  • Flea and Tick Preventative: $50–$100
  • FeLV Testing for Cats 6 months and older: $25
  • Dewormer: $5–$15
  • Cost of Care by Average Length of Stay: $100 per day

These services often total far more than the adoption fee itself. Your adoption fee ensures your new pet starts their next chapter healthy and supported, while helping us continue caring for the animals who need us most.

HSC adoption fees are based on a number of factors such as animal, breed, size, and temperament. Our variable fee structure ensures that we create a financial legacy for those animals in our care who are in need of expensive, life-saving medical and behavioral intervention. Our adoption fees include the following services prior to adoption:

If you or your new pet are having trouble adjusting to the change, please reach out. We are here to help! You can call our shelter’s main line or email our onsite behavior team at training@humanecharlotte.org.

Want to view our available animals? Click HERE.