Looking for Love?

Adopt a dog or cat from Berkeley Humane!

Adopt a dog or cat and give these shelter animals a second chance. Berkeley Humane believes in an adoption process that carefully matches the lifestyle and expectations of adopters with the needs of each animal to help the pet remain in their new homes for the rest of their lives. 

how adoption works

Come Meet Your New Best Friend!

Berkeley Humane’s adoptable animals are ready to meet you! Our dogs and cats are primarily located at our Adoption Center (2700 Ninth St. Berkeley), open to the public for walk-ins several days a week. Please review individual pet profiles for status, location, and other details. 

step 1: review pet profiles

Browse our available dogs or cats and review their profiles carefully to make sure you can accommodate their specific needs, if any.

Note the animal’s status, location, adoption hours, and instructions on how to adopt

step 2: visit us

Meet available animals at the location/address during the adoption hours specified on the animal’s profile. No inquiries or appointments necessary, unless specified. First-come, first-served.

Please note—while we make every effort to update our website, availability is not guaranteed.

More Adoption Information

Adoption Requirements
  • Be at least 18 years old;
  • Have valid state-issued identification;
  • Allowed to have a pet where you live (to protect you and your pet, get your landlord’s or HOA’s permission in writing before you adopt);
  • Willingness and ability to provide training, medical attention, and proper care for your new pet.
included with adoption

Every animal in our care receives medical and behavior evaluations, vaccines, microchip, spay/neuter surgery, flea, tick and worm treatments, felv/fiv test for cats at the discretion of our veterinarian, or heartworm preventative for dogs.

Our adoption package includes a temporary leash or carrier, $250 worth of medical care with VCA Animal Hospitals, a certificate for a free examination at a local veterinary hospital, optional discounted pet insurance, and a 30% discount on dog training classes through our program Train the Bay.

Adoption Programs & Promotions
trial paws

Older pets (7+ years) or those who have been available for 30+ days may be available for trial adoptions. Trial adoptions are only available for residents of Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

golden paws

Senior adopters (65+) receive a 50% reduced fee for falling in love with an older pet (7+ years).

military paws

Adoption fee waived for veterans with valid photo ID. Terms apply, please contact us or ask for more details when you are visiting the shelter.

Post-Adoption Resources

When you adopt a dog or a cat from Berkeley Humane, you become a part of our extended family, and our goal is help ensure your success. In addition to the post-adoption resources we provide to our adopters, we also offer pet-related services and helpful tips through our Resource Center.

Berkeley Humane adopters can contact us for behavior or health advice. Call our post-adoption advice line at (510) 845-7735 x204, or submit a contact form.

Please state when you adopted, and describe your pet’s challenges in detail. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

  • If you adopted an animal from Berkeley Humane within the past seven (7) days and have any health concerns about your pet, please contact the Berkeley Humane Veterinary Hospital at 510-845-7735. During this time period, we provide free post-adoption medical care by appointment only for shelter-associated conditions including internal and external parasites, respiratory infections (including kennel cough and feline upper respiratory infection), and incision complications.
  • Our post-adoption medical care policy does not include routine, preventive care (vaccines, deworming), treatment for post-adoption accidents/injuries, treatment of other pets in the household, or treatment that is outside the capabilities of our basic hospital facility.
  • Berkeley Humane partners with 19 VCA hospitals to provide care for pets adopted from our organization. Adopters receive up to $250 of care (excluding certain conditions) for up to 14 days from the date of adoption.
  • Berkeley Humane adopters may also receive one complimentary exam within five (5) days of adoption from local veterinary hospitals listed here.

Dog training classes at Train the Bay are discounted for Berkeley Humane adopters! The discount code is located in your adoption packet.

Questions? Visit our FAQs page.

adoption center
cat adoption fees
dog adoption fees
adoption resources

We are committed to supporting our adopters.

Alumni updates

We love to see how our adopted animals are doing! Share your story on social media #berkeleyhumanealumni for a chance to be featured.

Where's the Mobile Adoption Center?

The Mobile Adoption Center (MAC) will be at the Thrift Shop (1120 Solano Ave.) on Saturdays this Spring!

Adoption fees reduced to $50 at Berkeley Humane this weekend—Friday through Sunday, October 6-8! Now’s the perfect time to adopt a furry friend!

help spread the word!

The aPAWcalypse is coming on Saturday, October 28! This one-day adoption event features “ghosted” adoption fees (a.k.a. waived), plus wicked cute shelter animals will be dressed for the occasion (in costumes)! Don’t miss the perfect chance to add an MVP to your aPAWcalypse survival team!

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Saturday, August 26 | 10am–4pm

2700 Ninth St. Berkeley

Berkeley Humane’s annual adopt-a-thon & street fair returns! Come adopt your new best friend, or hang out at this family/pet friendly outdoor event. Free to attend with waived/discounted adoption fees!

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