“Adopters Welcome”

That’s our philosophy here at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. Our goal with our pet adoption program is to make adoption the first choice for most families, and to provide a straightforward, timely, and judgment- free adoption experience. 

You can view adoptable pets in person during our business hours Monday through Saturday. You can view them any time on our website as well. Please note that we also have an active foster care program, so some animals listed as adoptable online may not be onsite during your visit. 

General Adoption Guidelines:

• Adoptions are done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Adopters are expected to take immediate possession of their animal once an adoption is completed, the Shelter will not hold adopted animals. Adoption holds are available only for animals awaiting release from a legal stray hold, pending spay or neuter, or for unweaned animals. Holds cannot be placed for readily available, ready-to-leave pets.

• The Shelter makes every effort to provide as much information about the pets available for adoption as possible. However, a great many animals come into our care as strays with no known history, or from families who were unable to provide very much information about them at the time of surrender. Come with an open mind and allow yourself to meet a pet where he or she is at this very moment in time. 

• Regarding animal behavior in the Shelter - pet behavior is known to be very specific to context and environment. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that behaviors we haven’t observed in the Shelter won’t occur at home. Likewise, many behaviors we do see in the Shelter do not occur in the home. Research shows that behavioral incompatibilities in Shelter pets (in dogs specifically - barking in the kennel, soiling their kennels, reactivity toward other dogs, lack of interest in people, guarding of food or toys, or reacting positively or negatively toward cats or children) are no more prominent than they are in the general pet population. The key to success is to go slowly and purposefully through your first weeks and months at home with your new pet.

• Adoption fees are a necessary source of income for the Shelter. We do try to keep them as low as possible, realizing that fees can be prohibitive for some people. We often run adoption promotions and have additional discounts available for specific animals and senior citizens. If you find that an adoption fee is a significant barrier to your ability to adopt from the Shelter, please discuss with our team. We may be able to help!

• All adopted pets must leave building with a collar, tag, and on a leash or in a carrier. Collars, tags, and leashes are available at the Shelter store.

• Adoption fees are non-refundable. However, returned adoptions processed within 30 days will be credited toward another adoption.

• Dogs and cats adopted from the Shelter will be spayed and neutered prior to adoption. Exceptions are made only in the event of a known medical condition causing inordinate risk to an animal. Rabbits can be spayed or neutered prior to adoption at an adopter’s request.

• The Shelter encourages adoption of kittens in pairs but does not allow for the adoption of littermate puppies.

• Individuals are limited to two adoptions in a calendar year and 3 in a 5 year period. 

• Adopters must be at least 18 years of age.

• The City of Cheyenne has a 4 pet limit per household. Adopters are encouraged to consider this when seeking to add additional pets to their home.

• Occasionally, persons may be denied adoption at the discretion of the Shelter.