Instructions
Visit the website of any Orange County animal adoption center to view the animals in need of adoption, or visit the adoption center in person to inquire about a specific animal. The Orange County Animal Care website provides a list of all animal adoption shelters in Orange County, and each location's contact information.
Visit the pet adoption center to meet the dog you want, or to meet all of the dogs in the shelter so you can find the one you want to adopt.
Speak with a shelter employee about adopting a specific dog. Once you make your final decision, you will be assisted in the office of the animal adoption center.
Pay the fee for the dog. The cost varies depending on the animal you adopt and typically includes licensing, immunizations, microchipping, and spaying or neutering the dog. Acceptable methods of payment also may vary.
Pick up your dog when the shelter notifies you that it's ready. The dog must have its shots and other vet services prior to taking him home.
How to Adopt a Dog in Orange County
Adopting a dog is a selfless and humane act of kindness. Many Orange County shelters and pet adoption centers, despite their best efforts to keep dogs healthy, happy and loved, are overrun, understaffed and unable to give dogs the individual attention they need. When you choose to adopt a previously loved -- or unloved -- dog, you are saving a life. The process of adopting an animal differs depending on the Orange County adoption center you choose to visit; most of the animal adoption centers provide an online photo gallery of dogs in need of homes for you to find your perfect four-legged companion.