Covid-19 Update: ADOPTIONS
We are now doing dog and cat adoptions by appointment only. Please check our adoptable dogs or adoptable cats pages to see which animals are currently available for adoption. To respect social distancing, we ask that adopters first fill out an online dog application or cat application. A counselor will call you to go over your application and schedule a time for you to meet an animal. For up-to-date information about KHS closings, visit www.kyhumane.org/coronavirus
Dogs
Check out our adoptable DOGS
Cats
View adoptable CATS and learn about Working Cats
Horses
See HORSES ready for adoption
PetFirst Pet Insurance
Did you know that every Kentucky Humane Society adoptable dog and cat comes with 30 days of health insurance through PetFirst Pet Insurance? Ask an adoption counselor for details.
We Can Hold a Dog or Cat for You!
Unless there is an adoption special involving the pet, a 24-hour hold may be placed on a cat or dog with a $25 hold fee, paid by credit card, cash or check. This $25 hold fee is in addition to the pet’s adoption fee and is non-refundable should the hold party decide not to adopt.
It's often possible to adopt your new best friend on the spot! Here is how our adoption process works…
- First, you’ll complete our adoption survey. An adoption counselor will review the survey with you to help you find a good match for your family, lifestyle and expectations.
- Feel free to ask any questions you’d like! Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to offer advice and answer your questions.
- Once you visit with our adoptable pets and select the one for you and your family, you’ll begin the adoption paperwork, as well as pay the adoption fee and any other applicable fees. At this time, you’ll also learn about other KHS services that will help create a lasting bond between you and your new pet.
- Take home your new best friend!
Want to complete an adoption application now?
Download a cat adoption application.
Download a dog adoption application.
*Bring completed application with you.
Adoption FAQ
- Where can I adopt a cat or dog from the Kentucky Humane Society?
- How do I adopt a cat or dog?
- How much is the adoption fee and what does it include?
- I already have a dog at home. Can I bring him to meet the dog that I want to adopt?
- Why do you have different adoption fees for the animals?
- How many pets do you adopt out each year?
- What food do you feed your pets?
- How long do pets remain up for adoption?
- How many pets do you have up for adoption? What if I don’t find a pet?
- What if the adoption doesn't work out?
Where can I adopt a cat or dog from the Kentucky Humane Society?
We have 9 adoption locations – the Kentucky Humane Society’s East Campus in Lyndon, Purrfect Day Café in the Highlands and 7 Feeders Supply adoption sites throughout the Louisville area. The Feeders Supply-KHS adoption sites are located in the following areas: Fern Creek, Hikes Point, Okolona, Springhurst, St. Matthews, Shively and Valley Station.
View pictures and profiles of adoptable cats and adoptable dogs in need of homes.
View directions and hours of operation.
How do I adopt a cat or dog?
While visiting one of our adoption sites, a KHS adoption counselor will help you find the pet who’s the best match for your family and lifestyle. After you select a pet, you’ll complete an adoption application and, once approved, a KHS staff person will begin the adoption process, which often takes as little as an hour. Once you have reviewed all adoption paperwork, you’ll pay the adoption fee. Then, you’re ready to take home your new furry family member!
How much is the adoption fee and what does it include?
Cat adoption fees range from $45 to $120, and dog adoption fees range from $65 to $350. The adoption fee includes spaying/neutering, microchipping and microchip registration, up-to-date vaccinations, one free month of PetFirst Pet Insurance and more than $200 in KHS and Feeders Supply coupons. It does not include $10.50 for any applicable Jefferson County licensing fees. All adoptions are subject to a 6% Kentucky sales tax - learn more.
Also, unless there is an adoption special that involves the pet, we’re more than happy to place a 24-hour hold on a cat or dog you’re interested in adopting. The hold fee is only $25, and can be paid by credit card, cash or check. This is in addition to the adoption fee, and is a nonrefundable donation to the Kentucky Humane Society!
I already have a dog at home. Can I bring him to meet the dog that I want to adopt?
Absolutely! We strongly encourage "meet-and-greets," where you bring your resident dog to meet the dog you plan to adopt. An adoption counselor will assist you with the dog-to-dog introduction. Your dog MUST be up-to-date on immunizations before we can allow an introduction with one of our adoptable pets. Unfortunately, we cannot do any off-site "meet-and-greets."
Why do you have different adoption fees for the animals?
We determine each pet’s adoption fee based upon their age, breed and suitability with children and other pets, as well as other factors. Dogs and cats with a higher adoption fee leave a financial legacy for those animals who need extra help – whether they need extensive medical care or just a little more time to find a loving home.
What food do you feed your pets?
At KHS, we are proud to feed our pets Hill's Science Diet. Each adopted pet receives a free sample bag for the adopter to take home, as well as a $5 coupon toward a future Hill's Science Diet food purchase.
How long do pets remain up for adoption?
At KHS, there is no "time limit" for cats and dogs who are up for adoption, and we find homes for every adoptable pet under our care. Some pets are adopted within a few hours, while other pets remain in our care for months.
How many pets do you have up for adoption? What if I don’t find a pet?
On any given day, KHS has approximately 100 pets available for adoption at our adoption locations throughout the Louisville area. We have one of the widest selections of cats and dogs in the area, so don’t despair if you haven’t found the right pet for you just yet – you may find him or her tomorrow!
View pictures and profiles of adoptable cats and adoptable dogs in need of homes. Our online listings for adoptable pets are updated automatically in "real time" throughout the day.
What if the adoption doesn't work out?
Sometimes, through no fault of the adopter or the animal, adoptions don’t work out. We want to help both the adopter and the pet find their perfect, lifelong match.
To ensure the right fit, the Kentucky Humane Society has launched the “Perfect Pet Match” Exchange Program, which gives adopters a 14-day adjustment period to evaluate the pet’s progress and their adoption decision.
If, within those 14 days, adopters determine their new pet isn’t a good fit, they may make an appointment to return the pet to KHS. They will receive an adoption credit that can be used within six months toward the adoption of another animal that better fits their lifestyle. We encourage adopters to provide as much information about the pet as possible, so that we can find a perfect match the next time.
Return appointments must be scheduled through the KHS Pet Help Line, 502-509-4738, within 14 days of adoption, and animals must be returned by appointment at the Sam Swope Pet Treatment & Lifesaving Center, 241 Steedy Drive, Louisville.
The adoption credit will be equal to the adoption fee of the original pet. If adopters choose a new pet with a higher fee than the original adoption, they will pay the difference at the time of adoption. KHS will not issue monetary refunds for any difference in adoption fees.
Thanks to Feeders Supply
Lots of dog and cat kisses to Feeders Supply for allowing KHS to adopt out homeless pets at seven of their stores! Over 50% of all pets adopted from KHS are adopted from a Feeders Supply KHS adoption center.
Thanks to Purrfect Day Café
Kitten purrs to the Purrfect Day Café - Louisville's first cat café - for providing a comfy place for KHS felines to relax and meet potential families. The café - and adoptions - are open Monday through Saturday. Learn more.
Hill's Science Diet Starter Bag
The Kentucky Humane Society proudly feeds our pets Hill's Science Diet. Our adopters get a coupon to receive a free starter bag from our East Campus, 1000 Lyndon Lane.
Bayer Coupons for Adopters
Healthy beginnings start with healthy pets. Bayer's Shelter Blueprint program provides affordable Bayer flea, tick and heartworm disease prevention products to the Kentucky Humane Society. Bayer also provides exclusive coupons and rebates for their products in our adoption packets. That means families adopting a cat or dog can focus on the fun of bringing a new pet home.