PetSmart Adoption Guide: What to Know Before You Go
Every dog and cat you can take home from PetSmart is adopted, not sold. Local shelters and rescues bring the pets, set the fees and decide who adopts, while PetSmart and PetSmart Charities provide the space.
| Pet | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Cats and kittens | Cat adoption centers in nearly every store |
| Dogs and puppies | Everyday centers at select stores, plus adoption events |
| Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets | Select stores and some rescue partners |
| Reptiles | A few select stores |
How PetSmart Adoptions Work
PetSmart donates space in its stores, and PetSmart Charities links that space with local animal welfare groups. The rescue owns the pets and runs the whole adoption.
When you adopt, PetSmart Charities pays the rescue a small fee, which helps it save another animal. Since 1994, in-store adoptions have helped more than 11 million pets find homes.
Ways to Adopt
There are several routes, and the right one depends on the pet you want. Cats are the easiest, since almost every store has a cat center.
Dogs are usually found at select stores with Everyday Dog and Cat Adoption Centers, or at weekend events. These centers include a meet-and-greet playroom where you can spend time with a dog.
Before visiting, search adoptable pets by zip code on the PetSmart Charities website. It shows which nearby stores have the type of pet you’re hoping for.
Adopting a Dog
Dog adoptions usually involve more questions than cat adoptions. Rescues want to know about your home, schedule and other pets.
- Whether you rent or own, and your landlord’s pet rules
- How long the dog would be alone each day
- Your yard or fencing, and where the dog will sleep
- Other dogs or cats at home, and children’s ages
- Your experience with training and exercise
Some rescues ask your current dog to meet the new one before approval. Bring your dog if the rescue invites it, and keep it on a leash.
Many adopted dogs need time to settle and learn house rules. Our guides to PetSmart dog training and puppy classes can help.
Adopting a puppy
Rescue puppies get adopted quickly, so check listings often and be ready to visit. Ask the rescue about the puppy’s likely adult size, especially for mixed breeds.
Puppies need house training, a full vaccine series and lots of gentle socializing. Plan for frequent potty breaks and short training sessions every day in the first months.
Adopting a Cat
Cats are available at nearly every PetSmart, seven days a week during store hours. Many adoptions are finished the same day.
Our PetSmart cat adoption guide covers the cat process in detail, including what the fee is worth.
Small Pets and Reptiles
Select stores also host small animal and reptile adoptions. Rabbits and guinea pigs are the most common, with hamsters, birds and reptiles appearing now and then.
Small pet rescues often have specific housing rules, such as minimum cage sizes. Our small animals guide explains what each species needs.
Matching a Pet to Your Life
The best adoptions start with an honest look at your routine. Rescue staff can point you to pets that fit, so share the details.
| Your situation | Often a good match |
|---|---|
| Long workdays away from home | An adult cat or a calm senior dog |
| Active, outdoorsy household | A young, energetic dog |
| Small apartment | A cat, a small senior dog or a small pet |
| First pet for young children | A mellow adult dog or cat with a known history |
| Other pets at home | A pet the rescue has seen living with animals |
Ask how each pet behaved in foster care. Foster notes often reveal more than a few minutes in a busy store.
Senior Pets and Long-Stay Animals
Older pets and those with medical needs often wait the longest for homes. Many are calm, house trained and already know basic manners.
Some rescues reduce fees for seniors or long-stay pets. Ask which animals have been waiting longest when you visit.
The Adoption Process
Each rescue runs things its own way, but most follow the same steps. PetSmart Charities suggests setting aside 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Choose a pet online or in store
- Meet the pet with a rescue representative
- Answer interview questions about your home and lifestyle
- Fill out the application and pay the adoption fee
- Take your pet home, often the same day
Some rescues require a background check or home visit first. If you’d rather not wait, ask early, since another nearby store’s partner may offer same-day adoptions.
What You’ll Need
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Most rescues require adopters to be adults, often 18 or 21 |
| Proof of address | Confirms where the pet will live |
| Landlord approval if renting | Avoids a returned pet later |
| A carrier or leash | Gets your new pet home safely |
Adoption Fees and What They Cover
Each rescue sets its own fee, which changes with the pet’s species, age and demand. Puppies and kittens usually cost more than adults and seniors.
The fee usually includes vet care the pet has already had. To see its value, we priced the same care for a dog at a Banfield hospital inside a PetSmart.
| Dog vet care | Banfield Portland price |
|---|---|
| Neuter, over 6 months | $544.95 |
| Office visit and exam | $84.95 |
| DAPP vaccine | $42.48 |
| Bordetella vaccine | $36.34 |
| Rabies vaccine | $30.19 |
| Total | $738.91 |
That’s before a microchip, which most rescues include too. See our spay and neuter cost guide and microchip guide for full prices.
Adoption Events
PetSmart Charities holds National Adoption Week three times a year. The next runs October 19 to 25, 2026, in partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Adopt Joy events also bring more pets into stores on selected Saturdays. Call your store for dates, and arrive early if you have a specific pet in mind.
After You Bring Your Pet Home
Give your new pet a quiet space and a few days to decompress. Keep routines simple, and introduce other pets slowly.
Book a vet checkup within the first couple of weeks and bring the rescue’s records. Boosters are cheap at the walk-in clinics in our vaccination clinic guide.
Rescues often stay in touch after adoption. If something isn’t working, call them for advice, since most will help or take the pet back.
A dog’s first three months
Rescues often describe a 3-3-3 guideline for adopted dogs. It sets realistic expectations for how settling in usually goes.
| Time home | What’s typical |
|---|---|
| First 3 days | Nervous, quiet and possibly not eating much |
| First 3 weeks | Learning your routine and showing more personality |
| First 3 months | Feeling at home and bonded with the family |
Every dog is different, so treat these as rough markers. Patience in the early weeks pays off for years.
First-Week Shopping List
| Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|
| Collar, leash and ID tag | Litter box, litter and scoop |
| Crate and bed | Scratching post |
| Food the rescue was feeding | Food the rescue was feeding |
| Chew toys | Toys and a hiding spot |
| Poop bags | A secure carrier |
Shop with Treats Rewards to earn points on your first big order, and check our PetSmart coupons guide before stocking up.
Other Ways to Help
If you can’t adopt right now, fostering is a great option. Rescues often cover food and vet care while you give a pet a temporary home.
You can also donate to PetSmart Charities at the register. PetSmart offers 2X Treats Rewards points on donations made at checkout.
Volunteering with the rescue at your local store is another route. Ask the adoption center staff how to get involved.
Adoption Questions
Does PetSmart sell puppies or kittens?
No, every dog and cat comes from a rescue partner. Our guide on whether PetSmart sells puppies explains why.
Can I adopt online and pick up in store?
You can browse online, but each rescue decides how to handle applications. Contact the group listed on the pet’s profile.
Can I return an adopted pet?
Contact the rescue, not PetSmart, since the rescue handled the adoption. Most adoption contracts ask you to return the pet to them rather than rehoming it.
Are adopted pets microchipped?
Most rescues microchip pets before adoption, but ask to be sure. Update the chip registration with your own contact details as soon as you get home.
Can children come to the adoption?
Yes, and many rescues prefer meeting the whole family. It helps them see how the pet reacts to your kids.
Who do I call with questions?
Start with the rescue running your store’s center. PetSmart Charities can be reached at 1-800-423-7387.
