The Adoption Process
Adopt a pet and save a life.
We have many pets ready for adoption. Meet your perfect match today! Head over to our Available Pets page to find your new Forever Pet. We'd love to pair you with the perfect pet. We also have Donation & Volunteer opportunities.
Apply to Adopt
You can Apply to Adopt through our Adoption Application Forms below or visit our Available Pets page.
Wait for Your Approval
After your Adoption Application is approved, you'll be required to place a deposit to hold the pet for you.
Adoption
If you instantly fall in love, you'll be able to take your new pet home to join your family!
THE ADOPTION PROCESS & INFORMATION
Thank you for your interest in adopting a pet from Animal Rescue of New England (ARNE). We ask that you please complete this application as thoroughly as possible, as this information will be used to determine the optimal and appropriate suitability between you and our pets. Please note: We maintain the right to conduct an inspection of the applicant’s home environment as part of the application process. Furthermore, we reserve the right to refuse an applicant based on the information provided, as well as the results of the application process, with or without disclosure of cause. In the event that we discover that any information entered on this application has been knowingly falsified, we will reclaim possession of the adopted pet.
Applications take time to process, so please be patient. If you do not hear from us within 2 business days, please feel free to reach out to check the status of your application: INFO@ARNE-RI.ORG.
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ BELOW BEFORE APPLYING
- ONCE YOUR APPLICATION IS APPROVED, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONFIRMING YOUR INTEREST IN ADOPTION OF A SPECIFIC DOG. YOU WILL BE ASKED TO PLACE A $200 DEPOSIT VIA PAYPAL TO HOLD THE PUPPY/DOG FOR YOU. IF THE DEPOSIT IS NOT PAID WITHIN 4 HOURS of the approval email, WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT APPROVED APPLICANT.**
- PLEASE NOTE:
- Your deposit tells us you are serious about adopting, and holds the specific dog for you.
- The deposit paid will be applied towards the total adoption fee.
- The deposit is refundable (minus PayPal processing fees) if the pet becomes unavailable for any reason.
- Approval emails MAY, on occasion, be sent out within 24 hours or less, if references are responsive to our coordinators. Please DO NOT APPLY if you are not ready to adopt right now.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE PET’S CURRENT LOCATION/AVAILABILITY BEFORE APPLYING (information is clearly written within each pet’s post or profile. If you are unsure, please email us at info@arne-ri.org BEFORE applying.)
PETS THAT ARE ALREADY LOCAL IN FOSTER HOMES:
PETS THAT ARE NOT YET LOCAL:
IF THE PET YOU’RE APPLYING TO ADOPT IS ALREADY LOCAL: they must be met & picked up within 3 days of the approval email. No exceptions are granted. Do not apply until you are fully ready to adopt.
- If the pet you would like to adopt is already LOCAL, but not YET eligible for adoption in Massachusetts – please click this link to read about the process to adopt, BEFORE applying. (pets that are local, and are not yet eligible to adopt in MA, will have an asterisk (*) after their name in their Petfinder profile headings).
— A deposit is required to hold the per for a meet & greet. The deposit (and/or adoption fee) is fully refundable if you change your mind after meeting the pet. You MUST show up to meet the pet.
- If the chosen pet is arriving on a scheduled transport or is available to go to the MA Quarantine Facility: You MUST be available to pick them up on the day/time of arrival/release. You must be flexible for that day/time range or arrange for someone else to pick up for you. (Their arrival/quarantine release date will be listed in their posts/profiles.) MA adopters for NON-local pets, MUST be willing to pick them up on their release date as indicated in the pet’s profile. We do not have availability to hold the pet for you to meet it ahead of time.
- *MA Residents applying for a pet that is NOT already local* Pick-up will be at the designated isolation facility that we use in Westport MA. — You must complete the adoption agreement and the remainder of the adoption fee at least 48 hours before picking up your pet. NO EXCEPTIONS. — You will be expected to pick up the pet. If you do not show up to pick up the pet, the entire adoption fee is NOT refundable. $150 Quarantine Fee (paid to ARNE to help defer some of the additional costs associated with MA adoptions.)
PETS THAT ARE ALREADY LOCAL IN FOSTER HOMES, BUT *NOT YET MA-ELIGIBLE*
UPDATE AS OF 9/24/26 — LOCAL PETS WHO ARE NOT YET MA-ELIGIBLE. If a pet is already local but is NOT YET eligible for adoption to a Massachusetts resident, this will be explicitly noted in the pet's profile. If you choose to apply for one of these pets, you, as the adopter, will be responsible for ALL fees associated with making that pet MA eligible and completing the required quarantine process. The adopter will also be responsible for dropping off & picking up the pet.
IMPORTANT: The quarantine/isolation facility is a separate, independently operated facility. It is NOT owned, operated, or controlled by Animal Rescue of New England (ARNE). Any additional requirements, veterinary decisions, boarding requirements, and associated charges are determined by the facility and/or its veterinarian — not by ARNE.
Potential additional expenses may include, but are not limited to:
- $150 additional vetting fee if the facility/veterinarian requires an additional fecal test or vaccineCost of any additional vaccines or new fecal tests required (vet's discretion)Additional boarding night(s) if the facility determines the pet must remain while awaiting test results or for any other reason
- 48-Hour Isolation Boarding - $120
- New health certificate from MA vet — $50
- Collar, which is required to be purchased unless you bring an appropriate collar with you at pickup.
- Bath, if desired — $35 minimum
Any other testing, veterinary care, boarding, or facility requirements deemed necessary by the quarantine facility/veterinarianTHE TOTAL COST CAN VARY GREATLY depending on the individual pet and what the quarantine facility determines is required. ARNE cannot guarantee or control the final amount.Please DO NOT APPLY for a local pet whose profile states that they are NOT YET MA ELIGIBLE unless you understand and agree to accept these additional costs and the requirements set forth by the independent quarantine facility. By applying for one of these pets, you acknowledge that you understand these additional expenses may be required and that they are separate from ARNE's adoption fee. Additional quarantine-related fees will be paid directly to Westport Dog (quarantine facility)
Adoption Applications
Dog Adoption Form
Click here to Apply to Adopt a Dog
Click the link above, fill out the Application Form and we'll contact you ASAP with the next steps.
Cat Adoption Form
Click here to Apply to Adopt a Cat
Click the link above, fill out the Application Form and we'll contact you ASAP with the next steps.
Have Questions? We have answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet & Greets
Apply. Adopt. Simple.
Once you are approved to adopt, you'll be able to schedule your meet & greet! If your pet is already local, you'll meet with their foster parents. If the pet is not yet local, you'll meet them upon arrival, or at the time of their release from quarantine (MA adopters).
- Apply
- Place your deposit (refundable as long as you show up to meet the pet)
- Take your new furry family member home.