How to Find a Pet in the Houston, Texas Area

Houston, Texas, has many animal shelters and rescue groups with a variety of animals available for adoption. In addition, you can look for private adoptions and breeders to find the pet that will become your new companion. Some people offer pets for no cost, while breeders will charge higher prices for pedigreed pets. Animal shelters charge a fee to adopt your new pet, but this charge usually includes initial veterinary costs, required medications, and the spaying or neutering of the pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Identification
  • Adoption or pet fee
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide which type of pet you wish to adopt. Check with your landlord to see if you can keep pets in your apartment and if so, which kind. Keep in mind that cats, dogs and birds require a long-term commitment and can live up to 15 years or more.

    • 2

      Visit one of the many animals shelters in Houston. The Houston SPCA (houstonspca.org) has a variety of animals looking for new homes. Speak to the adoption counselors at the center to let them know what type of pet you are looking for. You will need to bring identification and an adoption fee for any animal you want to adopt at the shelter. Adoption fees for cats and dogs include initial health exams, spaying or neutering, vaccines and microchip implantation.

    • 3

      Check the Houston Chronicle (chron.com) "Classified" section and search the "Pets &Animals" category for adoptable pets. These ads come from private homes, breeders and some rescue groups. Some listings may include pets at little to no cost, and others may charge high fees for the pets.

    • 4

      Search Petfinder (petfinder.com) for listings in the Houston area. Petfinder has private adoption listings and provides contact information for local animal rescue organizations and shelters. Many of these rescue groups are breed specific and can answer any questions you have about the type of pets they have up for adoption. Contact these listings if you see a pet you want to meet. Fill out any paperwork provided and pay the adoption fee for the pet.

    • 5

      Contact a breeder in your area to purchase a pedigreed pet. Search for reputable breeder listings on the Fancier's Breed Referral List (breedlist.com) for cats and the American Kennel Club (akc.org) for dogs. You can also contact one of the local chapters of the AKC, such as the Galveston County Kennel Club (galvestoncountykennelclub.com). Select the breed of dog or cat you wish to purchase and contact the breeders listed in the Houston area.

    • 6

      Check with the Petco (petco.com) stores in Houston to see when the store will have pets available for adoption. Petco works with shelters and animal rescue groups to find homes for homeless pets. The stores hold adoption events, including National Adoption Weekends every month.