Pet Adoption
Miami-Dade County residents can adopt dogs and cats through Miami-Dade County Animal Services. This article explains how to search for adoptable pets, where adoptions take place, what identification and supplies to bring, how adoption fees work, what veterinary services are included, and how to avoid common problems that could delay an adoption.
Animal Services Adoption Program
Miami-Dade County Animal Services operates the county pet adoption program. Its primary adoption facility is the Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral, where visitors can view available animals and meet dogs or cats before deciding whether to adopt.
The facility was designed around current animal-housing practices and includes an adoption mall, air-conditioned kennels, outdoor canine exercise areas, and a community playroom for cats. These spaces allow prospective adopters to interact with animals in a more comfortable setting than a traditional kennel-only environment.
County adoptions are intended to place animals in permanent homes. Adopting a pet means accepting responsibility for the animal’s housing, food, veterinary care, identification, exercise, and daily supervision. Before visiting, household members should discuss the type of animal that fits their living arrangements, schedule, budget, and ability to provide long-term care.
The county’s official pet adoption service page provides the main county instructions for searching, visiting the shelter, completing an adoption, and understanding the applicable fees.
Searching for Available Pets
Prospective adopters can begin by searching the county’s online animal listings. The required Miami-Dade pet search portal displays animals associated with Miami-Dade Animal Services and allows users to review available information before visiting a county adoption location.
The search system may allow visitors to filter animals by characteristics such as:
Animal type, including dogs or cats
Gender
Age category
Size
Breed or breed type
Leaving some fields open can produce a wider range of results. This can be useful because breed descriptions are based on the information available to the shelter and may not reflect a formal breed determination. Some animals are described as mixed breeds and may not appear when a user selects only one specific breed.
The search platform also warns that shelters do not necessarily use every available filter in the same way. Applying too many filters may exclude animals that could otherwise meet a household’s needs. A search for all dogs or all cats, followed by a review of individual profiles, may provide more complete results than a narrow breed-only search.
Information in Pet Profiles
An online animal profile may include the pet’s name, Animal ID number, gender, reported breed, animal type, age, intake date, and current location. The profile may also indicate how the animal is categorized in the system.
The Animal ID is especially important. Miami-Dade Animal Services identification numbers begin with a capital letter “A” followed by numbers. Prospective adopters should record the complete Animal ID for at least three animals they may want to meet. Having several IDs available can save time if the first animal has already been adopted or is otherwise unavailable when the visitor arrives.
Listings Do Not Guarantee Availability
An online listing does not reserve an animal. Miami-Dade County states that adoptions are completed on a first-come, first-served basis. A pet shown online may be adopted before another interested person reaches the shelter.
Not every animal appearing in the search results is necessarily available for adoption. The system can also display recently found animals so their owners have an opportunity to locate and reclaim them. Users should review the animal’s status and confirm the situation in person rather than assuming that every search result can be adopted immediately.
Online searching is a planning tool, not an online adoption process. Virtual adoptions are no longer available, and both adoptions and adoption holds must be handled in person.
Where Adoptions Take Place
The primary location is the Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral. The county invites prospective adopters to visit the adoption mall, view animals, and speak with shelter personnel about pets they are considering.
The Doral adoption mall is generally open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and other county-observed holidays.
The county also operates weekend adoption hours at the Medley Shelter. According to the official Animal Services contact information, adoption hours at that facility are Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The shelter is closed on county holidays.
Hours can differ by service. Shelter, adoption mall, wellness clinic, licensing, surrender, and sterilization services do not necessarily follow the same schedule. Prospective adopters should rely on the adoption hours rather than assuming that another service’s operating hours apply.
Additional details about the Doral facility are available through the county’s Pet Adoption and Protection Center page.
Community Adoption Events
Miami-Dade Animal Services may offer additional adoption opportunities through community events, offsite programs, satellite adoption locations, and the HOPE Express mobile adoption vehicle. Event dates and locations can change, so visitors should consult the official Animal Services events calendar before making plans.
An event listing does not replace the normal adoption requirements. Adopters should still be prepared to present identification, establish their current address, complete required forms, pay the applicable fee, and transport the animal safely.
Preparing for a Shelter Visit
Visiting in person gives prospective adopters an opportunity to observe an animal’s behavior and discuss the adoption with shelter personnel. An animal’s photograph, listed breed, or estimated age does not provide a complete picture of how the pet may interact with people or respond to a new environment.
Before leaving home, write down the full Animal ID numbers of several pets. Do not rely only on names because different animals can have the same name. The Animal ID connects the inquiry to the correct shelter record.
Visitors should also consider practical household conditions, including:
Housing rules that apply to pets
The amount of indoor and outdoor space available
Other animals already living in the home
Children or household members who will interact with the pet
Daily schedules and the amount of time the animal may be alone
The ability to provide routine veterinary care and supplies
Renters should review their lease before adopting. Proof of address is required by the county, and a lease agreement is one of the accepted forms of address documentation. Confirming pet-related housing terms in advance can help prevent a later surrender caused by a landlord or property restriction.
Identification and Required Supplies
A person must be at least 18 years old to adopt a pet from Miami-Dade Animal Services. On the day of adoption, the adopter must bring a copy of a driver license or another valid state-issued picture ID.
The adopter must also provide proof of a current address. The county identifies the following examples:
Utility bill
Lease agreement
Mortgage statement
The address documentation should reflect the adopter’s present residence. Bringing an outdated document or an item that does not establish the current address could delay completion of the adoption paperwork.
Transporting a Dog
Anyone adopting a dog or puppy must bring a collar and leash. The equipment should be appropriate for the animal’s size and provide secure control while leaving the facility. The county states that adopters who do not already have these items can purchase them at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center.
Transporting a Cat
A person adopting a cat must bring a pet carrier. The carrier provides a secure way to move the cat from the adoption facility to a vehicle and then into the home. Carrying a newly adopted cat without an enclosed carrier can create a risk of escape.
Adoption Fees and Payments
Fees depend on the type and age of the animal. Miami-Dade Animal Services accepts cash, credit cards, debit cards, money orders, and cashier’s checks for the adoption fees described by the county.
Adult Dog Adoption Fee
Dogs more than four months old have a $65 adoption fee. The fee includes the services identified by the county:
Vaccinations
De-worming
Spay or neuter surgery, when applicable at adoption
Microchip
Heartworm test for dogs over six months old
Rabies license tag for Miami-Dade County residents
The rabies license tag included with an adult dog adoption applies only to Miami-Dade County residents. This residency distinction is separate from the animal’s microchip and other veterinary services included in the adoption.
Puppy Adoption Fee
Dogs less than four months old have an $85 adoption fee. Included services are the first set of vaccinations, de-worming, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery when the animal is eligible for the procedure.
Very young or small animals may not receive every procedure at the time of adoption. An animal that is less than three months old, weighs less than three pounds, or has a health issue will not be sterilized or vaccinated for rabies at that time.
When sterilization cannot be completed before adoption, the adopter may need to sign a spay or neuter agreement and provide a refundable deposit. The county states that an appointment will be scheduled for the surgery within 30 days or when the animal reaches four months of age. For the dog and puppy procedure described by the county, the refundable deposit is $50, while residents outside Miami-Dade County are charged a $100 refundable deposit.
Cat and Kitten Fee
Cats and kittens have a $35 adoption fee. The county’s adoption offer allows a person to adopt two cats while paying a total adoption fee of $35.
Included cat and kitten services are:
Vaccinations
Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus testing
De-worming
Microchip
Heartworm test for animals over six months old
Spay or neuter surgery when eligible
A cat or kitten that is less than three months old, weighs less than three pounds, or has a health issue will not be sterilized or vaccinated for rabies at the time of adoption. A signed agreement and refundable deposit may therefore be required, with surgery scheduled within 30 days or when the animal reaches four months of age.
The county lists a $50 refundable deposit for this situation and specifies a $100 refundable deposit for Broward County residents. Refund requirements depend on providing proof that the required sterilization was completed.
Spay and Neuter Agreements
Miami-Dade Animal Services generally includes sterilization as part of the adoption package. However, the procedure may need to occur after adoption when the animal is too young, too small, or affected by a health concern.
In those situations, the adopter may be required to sign an agreement promising to complete the procedure and pay the applicable refundable deposit. The deposit is not the same as the adoption fee. It is held until the adopter provides proof of the pet’s sterilization under the county’s requirements.
Adopters should keep all paperwork issued at the shelter, including the agreement, appointment information, payment receipt, Animal ID, and instructions for documenting the completed surgery. Losing these records may make it harder to establish eligibility for the deposit refund.
Completing the Adoption
After selecting an animal, the adopter must complete the transaction in person. Because adoptions are first-come, first-served, recording an Animal ID or speaking with someone about a pet does not guarantee that the animal will remain available.
The adopter should be prepared to:
Present valid picture identification
Show proof of the current address
Confirm that the adopter is at least 18
Complete the county’s adoption documents
Sign a sterilization agreement when required
Pay the adoption fee and any applicable deposit
Provide suitable transportation equipment
Before leaving, review the animal’s paperwork and confirm which services have already been completed. Pay particular attention to vaccination records, microchip information, sterilization status, any scheduled procedure, and any documents needed to obtain a refundable deposit.
All pets adopted from Miami-Dade Animal Services receive basic veterinary preparation that includes sterilization, vaccinations, and microchipping, subject to the age, weight, and health exceptions described for animals that cannot receive a procedure at the time of adoption.
Common Adoption Mistakes
Depending on One Pet
Choosing only one animal from the online listings can result in a wasted trip if that pet is adopted first. The county recommends recording the Animal ID numbers of at least three animals. A broader list gives shelter personnel a clearer idea of the adopter’s preferences while preserving alternatives.
Using the Pet Name Alone
Pet names are not unique identifiers. More than one animal may have the same or a similar name. The complete Animal ID beginning with “A” is the more reliable way to refer to a particular shelter record.
Assuming Every Listing Is Adoptable
The online search can include recently found animals being held so their owners have an opportunity to reclaim them. Users should not assume that every visible profile represents an animal immediately available for adoption.
Arriving Without Address Proof
A picture ID does not replace the separate requirement to establish the current address. Bringing a utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement can prevent an avoidable delay.
Forgetting Transport Equipment
Dog adopters need a collar and leash, while cat adopters need a carrier. These requirements protect the animal during departure and transportation. Supplies intended for a previous pet may not fit the newly adopted animal, so size and condition should be considered before the visit.
Expecting an Online Hold
Virtual adoptions and virtual adoption holds are no longer offered. The transaction and any hold must be completed in person. An online profile, saved screenshot, or recorded Animal ID does not reserve the pet.
Overlooking County Holidays
Adoption facilities close on county holidays. A visit planned for a holiday may need to be moved to another day, even when the holiday falls during the location’s normal weekly schedule.
Returning an Adopted Pet
An adopted pet may be returned when the placement does not work out, but Miami-Dade Animal Services treats the return as a pet surrender. A surrender does not ordinarily qualify for an adoption-fee refund.
The county identifies limited circumstances in which a full refund may be issued within 30 days of adoption:
The animal has a medical condition that was not detected at adoption, and a certified veterinarian confirms the condition in a written evaluation.
The animal dies within 30 days of adoption and is returned deceased to Animal Services.
A person who is prepared to make another commitment may be able to select another pet in place of the returned animal. The availability of a particular replacement animal cannot be guaranteed because county adoptions remain first-come, first-served.
Before returning a pet, adopters should gather the adoption paperwork, Animal ID, veterinary documentation, and any other records connected to the adoption. A general change of mind, housing problem, or compatibility issue is treated differently from the specific medical and death-related refund conditions identified by the county.
Hours, Events, and Accessibility
Operating information should be checked before traveling because adoption hours can differ from the schedules for other Animal Services programs. The county’s Animal Services contact page provides the official schedules for the Doral center, Medley Shelter, adoption services, and other Animal Services functions.
Anyone with a disability who requires assistance to participate in an Animal Services program may request accessible materials, sign-language interpretation, or another effective form of communication. The county asks that accommodation requests be made at least five days before the service is needed. TTY users may use Florida Relay Service by dialing 711.
General information about adoption, lost and found pets, pet vaccinations, sterilization services, animal regulations, and other county programs is available from the Miami-Dade County Animal Services website.
Pet Adoption Offices
Miami-Dade Animal Services Pet Adoption and Protection Center
3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, FL 33122
311 or 305-468-5900
Miami-Dade Animal Services Medley Shelter
7401 NW 74 Street, Medley, FL 33166
311 or 305-468-5900
Pet Adoption FAQs
Can I adopt a cat outside the main county shelter?
Yes. Miami-Dade Animal Services places cats at several satellite adoption centers operated through participating retail locations in Miami, Doral, Homestead, West Kendall, and South Dade. These locations offer cats only, and their hours may differ from county shelter hours. Because participating locations and schedules can change, review the official Animal Services adoption locations before visiting. Availability also changes throughout the day, so a cat shown through the county system may already be in the adoption process when you arrive.
How can I spend more time with a dog before deciding?
Miami-Dade Animal Services offers a doggy day-out program that allows community members to take an eligible shelter dog on a short field trip. These outings can give a dog exercise and a break from the shelter while allowing participants to observe how the animal behaves in different surroundings. Participation does not reserve the dog or replace the regular in-person adoption process. Check the official Miami-Dade Animal Services website for current program information and eligibility requirements.
Where can I check upcoming adoption events?
The county posts community adoption opportunities through the Animal Services events calendar. Use the available filters to look for animal-related community events. A date may show no scheduled events, so check nearby dates rather than assuming the program has ended. Event details may be added, changed, or removed, making it important to review the official listing shortly before attending.
Can I confirm whether a shelter animal was adopted?
Miami-Dade Animal Services provides an Animal Outcome Viewer that may show whether an animal left county care through adoption, return to owner, or rescue placement. An animal will not appear when it is no longer in county care without a recorded outcome status. Use the pet’s Animal ID whenever possible because names and breed descriptions may not uniquely identify the correct record.