PetSmart Cat Adoption Process & Fees 2026
PetSmart doesn’t sell cats, so you adopt them from local rescues that use space in the store. Nearly every PetSmart has a cat adoption center, open during store hours seven days a week.
The rescue sets the fee and runs the process, and most adoptions finish the same day.
| Quick fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Who you adopt from | A local shelter or rescue partner |
| When | Any day the store is open |
| Time needed | About 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Fee | Set by the rescue, usually with vet care included |
| Next big event | National Adoption Week, October 19 to 25, 2026 |
How Cat Adoption at PetSmart Works
PetSmart donates space in its stores, and PetSmart Charities connects that space with local animal welfare groups. The cats you see belong to those groups, not to PetSmart.
PetSmart Charities pays the partner group a small fee for each adoption, which helps it rescue another pet. The program works with more than 2,500 adoption partners across North America.
The numbers are big. PetSmart Charities says a pet is adopted every 38 seconds a PetSmart store is open, adding up to more than 400,000 a year.
Since 1994, in-store adoptions have helped more than 11 million pets find homes. Our PetSmart adoption guide covers dogs and other pets too.
The Adoption Process, Step by Step
Each store’s process reflects its rescue partner, so details vary. PetSmart Charities describes the steps you can expect almost anywhere.
- Browse adoptable cats online, or visit the cat adoption center in store
- Meet the cat and talk with a representative from the rescue
- Answer interview questions about your home, family and other pets
- Fill out the application and pay the adoption fee
- Take your cat home, often the same day
Some partners ask for a background check or home visit before you take the cat home. If you can’t wait a few days, ask about this first, since another nearby store’s partner may offer same-day adoptions.
What Rescues Usually Ask For
Requirements come from the rescue, not PetSmart. Most groups look for the same basics.
- You’re an adult, often 18 or 21 depending on the group
- A valid photo ID
- Proof of address
- Landlord approval if you rent
- Honest answers about children and other pets at home
Don’t take a denial personally if it happens. Rescues are matching each cat to a home where it’s most likely to settle for life.
Adoption Fees and What They Include
Each rescue sets its own adoption fee. Kittens usually cost more than adult cats, and some groups offer lower fees for pairs or older cats.
Most fees cover vet care the cat has already received. That usually means spay or neuter surgery, core vaccines and a microchip, and often testing for FeLV and FIV.
To see what that care is worth, we priced it at a Banfield hospital inside a PetSmart. The spay, exam and three vaccines come to $597.21 there, before adding a microchip.
That makes most adoption fees a bargain. Our spay and neuter cost guide and microchip cost guide show those prices in full.
National Adoption Week and Adopt Joy Events
PetSmart Charities holds National Adoption Week three times a year. The next one runs October 19 to 25, 2026, in partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
These weeks bring more cats, more rescues and sometimes reduced fees into stores. Adopt Joy events also run on selected Saturdays, so call your store for dates.
Events get busy. Arrive early if you have your heart set on a particular cat.
Cats Who Wait Longer
Some cats sit in adoption centers far longer than others. Senior cats, bonded pairs, black cats and cats with medical needs are often passed over.
| Cat | Why it can be a great match |
|---|---|
| Senior cats | Calm, settled and usually past the scratching-everything stage |
| Bonded pairs | Keep each other company while you’re out |
| FIV-positive cats | Many live long, normal lives with indoor care and regular checkups |
| Shy cats | Often become deeply attached once they trust you |
Rescues sometimes reduce fees for these cats. Ask the representative which cats have been waiting longest.
Adopting a Kitten or an Adult Cat
Kittens are playful and adaptable, but they need training, supervision and lots of energy from you. Adult cats come with a known personality, and many are already litter trained and calm.
| Kittens | Adult cats |
|---|---|
| Personality still forming | Personality already clear |
| Need more vaccine visits in the first months | Usually fully vaccinated |
| Often adopted quickly | Often wait longer for a home |
| Higher energy and more mischief | Better for quiet homes and first-time owners |
Adopting two kittens together is often easier than one. They play with each other, which spares your furniture and ankles.
Your Adoption Day
A little preparation makes the day smooth. Bring your documents and a carrier, and come with questions for the rescue.
Ask for copies of the cat’s medical records before you leave. You’ll need them for your first vet visit and for services like grooming or boarding.
Setting Up Your Home
Start your cat in one quiet room with a litter box, food and water, and a place to hide. A covered bed or open carrier works well.
Keep other pets separated at first, and let the new cat explore at its own pace. Most adopted cats take one to two weeks to settle in.
- Litter box, litter and a scoop
- Food and water bowls, plus the food the rescue was feeding
- A scratching post or pad
- A few toys and a hiding spot
- A secure carrier for vet visits
Feed the same food the rescue used for the first week, then switch gradually. Sudden diet changes are a common cause of upset stomachs.
Introducing Your Cat to Other Pets
A slow introduction prevents most fights. Plan on days or even weeks, not minutes.
- Keep the new cat in its own room at first
- Swap bedding so each pet gets used to the other’s scent
- Feed them on opposite sides of a closed door
- Let them see each other through a baby gate or cracked door
- Allow short, supervised meetings, with dogs on a leash
Hissing early on is normal and usually fades. If either pet seems truly stressed, go back a step and slow down.
The First Few Weeks
Book a checkup with your vet within the first couple of weeks. Bring the rescue’s records so the vet can plan any remaining vaccines.
Boosters are cheap at PetSmart’s vaccine clinics, as our vaccination clinic guide explains. Once your cat settles, PetSmart cat grooming can handle nail trims.
Rescues often stay in touch after adoption. If something isn’t working, call them before giving up, since most will help or take the cat back.
Indoors or Outdoors?
Many rescues ask adopters to keep cats indoors, and some make it part of the contract. Indoor cats face far fewer risks from cars, predators and disease.
A window perch, climbing tree and daily play keep indoor cats happy. Some owners add a secure outdoor enclosure, often called a catio.
Ongoing Costs to Plan For
The adoption fee is the smallest cost of owning a cat. Food, litter and yearly vet care add up over a cat’s 15 or more years.
Shop with Treats Rewards to earn points on supplies, and check our PetSmart coupons guide before stocking up. Pet insurance is another option, covered in our pet insurance guide.
Fostering Instead of Adopting
Not ready to commit for 15 years? Rescues always need foster homes, especially during kitten season in spring and summer.
Fostering frees up space at the shelter and helps cats get used to home life. The rescue usually covers food and vet care while the cat is with you.
If the Adoption Doesn’t Work Out
Most rescues ask you to bring the cat back to them rather than rehoming it yourself. Many adoption contracts require it, so check yours.
Before you give up, call the rescue for advice. Litter box problems and fighting with other pets often have simple fixes.
Cat Adoption Questions
Can I adopt a cat any day at PetSmart?
Yes, nearly every store has a cat adoption center open during store hours, seven days a week. Availability changes daily, so call ahead or check online.
Does PetSmart sell cats?
No, every cat comes from a rescue partner and is adopted, not sold.
Can I reserve a cat I saw online?
It depends on the rescue. Contact the group listed on the cat’s profile to ask.
Can I adopt a cat if I have a dog?
Usually yes, though some rescues will want to know about your dog first. Ask which cats have lived with dogs before.
Who do I contact with questions?
Ask the rescue running your store’s center first. PetSmart Charities can also be reached at 1-800-423-7387.
