Pet Adoption in Allen County, Indiana

Last Updated: August 2026

Looking to adopt a dog, cat or other pet in Allen County? Two of the best places to start are Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control and Humane Fort Wayne. Both have adoptable pets available online, but their adoption processes and fees are different.

Quick Answer

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control

3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Adoption Center: 260-427-5502

View Adoptable Pets

Humane Fort Wayne

901 St. Francis Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-744-0454

View Humane Fort Wayne Adoptable Pets

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control Adoptions

Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control (FWACC) has dogs, cats and sometimes small animals available for adoption.

View FWACC Adoptable Pets

FWACC asks potential adopters to look at available animals online first and choose a few they’d like to meet rather than walking through the shelter to view every animal.

FWACC Adoption Fees

Current adoption fees include:

  • Puppies under 6 months: $125

  • Small dogs, 6 months–8 years: $100

  • Large dogs, 6 months–5 years: $100

  • Senior small dogs: $50

  • Senior large dogs: $25

  • Cats: $65 standard fee; a current grant may reduce what adopters pay

  • Ferrets: $50

  • Guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and cockatiels: $25

  • Hamsters, gerbils, mice and parakeets: $15

Fees and adoption specials can change, so check the shelter’s current adoption page before visiting.

What’s Included With a FWACC Adoption?

FWACC says its adoption package has a value of approximately $300 and includes services such as:

  • Spay or neuter

  • Distemper combination vaccination

  • Rabies vaccination when age appropriate

  • Microchip for dogs, cats and rabbits

  • Heartworm test for dogs

  • Flea preventative when applicable

  • Starter food for dogs and cats adopted at the shelter

  • Donated veterinary exam

  • $50 training certificate for adopted dogs

Fort Wayne pet registration is separate.

FWACC Adoption Hours

Current adoption lobby hours are:

Tuesday: Noon–5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Noon–6:00 p.m.
Thursday: Noon–5:30 p.m.
Friday: Noon–5:30 p.m.
First and third Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–Noon

Closed for adoptions on Mondays and Sundays.

Check Current Adoption Hours

Hours can change, so check before you go.

Adopting a Dog From FWACC

If you already have a dog and want to adopt another dog, bring your current dog to the shelter for a meet-and-greet.

FWACC uses these interactions to help determine whether the dogs are likely to be a good match.

You should also bring:

  • Photo ID

  • A leash and collar for the new dog

  • Household members under age 5

You must be at least 18 years old to adopt through FWACC.

Humane Fort Wayne Adoptions

Humane Fort Wayne offers dogs and cats for adoption through its shelter and other adoption locations.

See Humane Fort Wayne Adoptable Pets

Unlike FWACC’s same-day shelter process, Humane Fort Wayne uses an adoption application and pre-approval process.

Applications are general applications rather than applications for one particular animal.

Humane Fort Wayne Adoption Fees

Current fees include:

  • Puppies 5 months and younger: $200

  • Adult dogs: $100

  • Senior dogs: $50

  • Kittens 6 months and younger: Minimum $50 donation

  • Adult cats: Name Your Fee

Adoption fees include veterinary care and other services such as spay/neuter, vaccinations and a registered microchip.

Fort Wayne residents must separately obtain the required city pet registration.

Humane Fort Wayne Adoption Requirements

To adopt through Humane Fort Wayne:

  • You must be at least 21 years old.

  • An adoption application must be approved.

  • Cats and dogs already in your home must be current on rabies vaccination.

  • Generally, no more than one cat or dog in your home can be unaltered.

  • Renters should make sure pets are allowed by their landlord.

Humane Fort Wayne also conducts a criminal background check as part of its application process.

Start a Humane Fort Wayne Adoption Application

Which Shelter Should I Check?

Check both.

The animals available for adoption change frequently, and the two organizations have different animals and adoption processes.

If you’re looking for a specific:

  • Breed

  • Size

  • Age

  • Personality

  • Dog that’s good with other dogs

  • Cat that’s comfortable with children

you may have better luck by regularly checking both adoption listings.

Before You Adopt

Think about more than the adoption fee.

A new pet may also need ongoing:

  • Food

  • Veterinary care

  • Vaccinations

  • Flea and heartworm prevention

  • Grooming

  • Training

  • Pet supplies

  • Emergency medical care

  • Fort Wayne pet registration, if applicable

Make sure everyone in the household is prepared for the long-term responsibility.

Fort Wayne Pet Registration

Dogs and cats living within Fort Wayne city limits must be registered with Animal Care & Control by the time they’re 5 months old.

Current annual registration for a spayed or neutered pet is $5, while a lifetime registration for a spayed/neutered and microchipped pet is $30.

Special senior rates are also available.

View Fort Wayne Pet Registration Information

Adopted Pets & Microchips

Both major local adoption organizations include microchipping with many pet adoptions.

After adopting, make sure the microchip registration has your current name, phone number and address.

Learn About Pet Microchipping in Allen County

What If You’re Not Ready to Adopt?

If you love animals but aren’t ready for a permanent commitment, consider fostering instead.

Foster homes temporarily care for animals until they’re ready for adoption or another placement.

View Allen County Pet Foster Programs

Local Tip

Check both shelters before deciding. Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control and Humane Fort Wayne have separate groups of adoptable pets, and new animals become available regularly.

Also pay attention to the different processes: FWACC uses walk-in, same-day adoptions for animals at its shelter, while Humane Fort Wayne requires an approved adoption application before interacting with adoptable pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I adopt a dog in Allen County?

Start with Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control and Humane Fort Wayne. Both have adoptable dogs.

Where can I adopt a cat?

Both organizations offer cat adoptions. Humane Fort Wayne also facilitates some cat adoptions through PetSmart.

How much does it cost to adopt a dog?

At FWACC, current dog adoption fees range from $25 to $125, depending on age and size. Humane Fort Wayne currently charges $50 to $200 depending on the dog’s age and size.

Are adopted pets already spayed or neutered?

Both FWACC and Humane Fort Wayne include spay/neuter as part of their adoption programs.

Do I need an appointment?

FWACC currently uses walk-in, same-day adoptions for pets housed at its Hillegas Road shelter. Humane Fort Wayne requires an approved application before you can interact with adoptable animals.

Related Pages

Official Resources

Summary

Allen County residents have two excellent places to start when adopting a pet: Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control and Humane Fort Wayne. Both offer dogs and cats, while FWACC may also have rabbits and other small animals available. Adoption fees generally include important veterinary care such as spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchipping. Check both organizations’ current adoptable pets and requirements before visiting.