Each animal admitted to HHS undergoes a medical examination and behavioral assessment. Animals diagnosed with a terminal or debilitating disease may not become available for adoption. Animals that pose a safety risk to the community or have severe behavior issues may not be suitable for adoption. Each animal is evaluated individually, and the outcome is determined with the best interest of the animal in mind.

The first step is filling out an adoption survey. Our Adoption Counselors can usually get you approved the same day. If you have current animals, please bring their records or their vet information with you. You can also email us any vet records. If you rent, please bring your landlord’s contact information.

All adoption surveys stay on file for 3 months. After that, a new survey will need to be filled out in order to adopt.

Dog Adoption Fees: 

• Puppies (younger than 5 months): $350
• Adult Dogs (5 months – 7 years): $175 for dogs over 30 pounds & $200 for dogs under 30 pounds 
• Senior Dogs (7 years and up): $75

Please note: Residents of Ottawa County must purchase a dog license ($10) in addition to the adoption fee. 

Cat Adoption Fees: 

• Kittens (younger than 5 months): $100
• Adult Cats (5 months – 7years): $25
• Senior Cats (7 years and up): Fee waived but donations are appreciated 

All cats and kittens are always two for the price of one (the higher price is honored)! Come meet your purr-fect match!

All the cats and dogs up for adoption are provided with a range of services, including spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, initial vaccinations, heartworm testing for dogs over 6 months of age, external and internal parasite prevention, and a behavioral and medical assessment.

Many of the animals in our care also need additional medical or behavioral support for various conditions. Our adoption fees do not even begin to cover our animal care costs or other programming expenses. Donations from generous individuals, businesses, and foundations support the majority of our work.

Generally, yes; however, there are special circumstances in which these requirements can be waived. When adopting an animal, we want to ensure that your current animals and the adopted animal are set up for success. Regular veterinary care and vaccinations are critical to the health of pets.

Usually, yes! As long as the animal has received all its vaccinations and has been evaluated by our veterinarian, it can go home with you the same day. If the animal isn’t ready to go, you can still finalize the adoption, and we will schedule a time for you to pick them up.

Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to maintain waiting lists or notify customers when a specific breed or type of animal becomes available. The best place to view the types of animals available is on our Adopt page. Even though pictures are not always available, you can still see the name, age, and breed. You can email us at [email protected], or call 616-399-2119. You may also want to try searching Petfinder.com, where you can filter by various factors, including location and animal type.

We believe in spaying and neutering for many reasons. First, it helps to control pet overpopulation. Part of the reason many animals do not have homes is that there are more being born than the number of available homes.

Second, it is healthier for your pet. Spaying or neutering reduces the risk of certain types of cancer in dogs and cats.

Lastly, HH is required by law that any animal we adopt out is spayed or neutered. For more information on spaying and neutering, check out Why Spay/Neuter is Important and ASPCA’s Spay/Neuter Your Pet.

All of our adoptions are on a first-come, first-served basis with an approved adoption survey. We cannot hold animals. Our goal is to have an animal’s stay with us as short (and as comfortable) as possible, before we can find their forever home.

Generally, no. Occasionally, we will require one of our dogs to meet the dogs currently in your home to ensure they will be a good fit for your family.

We make every effort to adopt cats that are eligible for home placement in an indoor-only setting. While there are certainly exceptions to this rule (cats that mentally deteriorate from being indoor only, cats with a history of being indoor/outdoor, cats that have indoor litterbox issues, etc.), cats that stay indoors are not exposed to the dangers of outdoor life such as disease, parasites, animal cruelty, cars, toxins, and poisons. As a result of this policy, cats in our regular adoption program will not be adopted into a home where they will be allowed to be both indoor/outdoor. If you are looking for an outdoor cat, take a look at our Working Cat Program!

Similarly to cats, we make every effort to adopt out dogs that are best suited for indoor living, as indoor dogs. Outdoor dogs have an increased risk of developing behavioral problems and often miss out on necessary socialization. Dogs are social and want to be with their pack, which is essentially your family.

Harbor Humane is strongly opposed to declawing cats. We recognize that scratching is a natural behavior of cats, and that cats may be defenseless without the use of their claws if they, intentionally or unintentionally, go outdoors. Because of postoperative discomfort, pain, and potential behavioral or physical side effects, the only circumstances in which the procedure should be considered are those in which all behavioral and environmental alternatives have been fully explored, have proven to be ineffective, and the cat is at grave risk of euthanasia. HH finds it unacceptable to declaw a cat no matter the age or weight of the cat. 

Please call us first! We have staff members on site who can help with behavioral concerns and answer medical questions. However, if you need to bring the animal back to us, please call us first at 616-399-2119 ext. 119.

The following return policies apply to any adoption. If returned:

1. Within two (2) weeks, for any reason, you may make an exchange for another animal, less licensing fees (limit of one).
2. Within four (4) weeks, for any reason, you may make an exchange for another animal (one exchange limit). If exchanged, you will pay for a new license.
3. Within four (4) weeks for behavioral or health reasons not previously discussed, you may receive a refund. Health and behavioral reasons may not include conditions the animal had, and you knowingly accepted at the time of adoption. If returned for health reasons, the condition must be documented by a veterinarian.
4. Beyond 4 weeks but within 6 months, for any reason, the surrender fee will be waived.