Adoption info and fees

How the Adoption Process 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.
• Already have a pet in mind? Browse our available animals online before your visit.

Step 2: Meet Potential Matches

• An adoption counselor will work with you one-on-one.
• You’ll be introduced to pets that may be a great fit for your family.
• Spend time getting to know your selected pets.

Step 3: Learn About Your New Companion

Your adoption counselor will review everything we know about the pet, including:

• Medical history
• Personality and behavior information
• 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.
• *Accomodations available as needed

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.

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.

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.

Our dog kennels are currently not open to the public for browsing.

We currently 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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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!