Adoption process and fees

Find out more about our adoption process and fees.

We aim to match each animal with a family suited to their needs, ensuring the happiest outcome for all.

Every pet at our Shelter receives a comprehensive assessment upon arrival. Our expert team uses this information, along with any previous history, to find the perfect home for them. Each also undergoes an initial health check by our veterinary team and receives any necessary medical treatment during their stay, as well as a final health check before they leave for their new home.

Pets adopted from us will be neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and go home with 4-weeks free PetPlan insurance cover.

Adoption fees

Cats and kittens

£100 (£150 for a pair)

Adoption fee includes; microchipping, neutering, up-to-date vaccinations and flea/worm treatment, a Pet Remedy new home kit, and four weeks free PetPlan Chairty Cover insurance.

Dogs and puppies

£250 (£400 for a pair)

Adoption fee includes; microchipping, personalised engraved ID tag, neutering, up-to-date vaccinations and flea/worm treatment, a Pet Remedy new home kits and four weeks free PetPlan Chairty Cover insurance.

Small animals

Rabbits: £60 (£110 for a pair)
Guinea Pigs: £25 (£40 for a pair)
Chinchillas: £25 (£40 for a pair)
Degus: £20 (£30 for a pair)
Rats: £20 (£30 for a pair)
Gerbil/Hamster/Mice: £10 (£15 for a pair)
Birds: to be agreed on application

Adoption fees include; a Pet Remedy new home kit for all small animals, microchipping, neutering, up-to-date vaccinations and flea/worm treatment and four weeks free PetPlan Chairty Cover insurance for Rabbits.

Please note that unless agreed otherwise, Cheltenham Animal Shelter is not responsible for any medical costs after the date of adoption. If a pet is unable to be neutered or fully vaccinated prior to leaving the Shelter, an appointment will be booked at CASVet and a voucher to cover the cost will be provided.

Adoption process

    • You can start your search for a new pet by looking at the animals available for adoption on our website. If you do not have access to the website, we have a folder of available animals in the Shelter reception.
    • Once you have found a pet which you feel is a good match, please contact the relevant team on [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected] who will send you an online adoption application to register your interest.
    • Once we have received your application, and we feel you are a suitable match, we will aim to contact you within 7 days. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications received offering wonderful homes for our pets, we are unable to contact those who are unsuccessful. We will however keep your application on file for 3 months in the hope that we can find you an alternative suitable pet.
    • If your application has been successful our rehoming team will contact you to discuss the pet further, and/or invite you in for a meeting with the Rehomer and visit the pet.
    • After meeting your new pet, we ask that a non-refundable deposit is paid to continue the rehoming process and reserve the pet. If we have not heard from you within 24hrs, we assume that you do not wish to proceed and will continue our search for an alternative home.
    • We aim to have our pets in their new homes within a week of starting the adoption process. This can however be quicker, or sometimes take longer, depending on the pet you are adopting. Nervous pets may need several visits/home visits before the adoption can take place. If you have another pet in the home, we may also need to carry out ‘mixes’ to ensure that all pets are happy prior to adoption.
    • Adoption day! We will invite you to the Shelter to collect your pet and that take them to their happy new home. We will ensure that you have all of the items needed, and all information provided prior to taking your pet home.
    • Once you have adopted your pet, we will continue to be on hand to support and offer advice as needed. We love receiving updates from our ex Shelter animals too, so would be very grateful for photos and updates.

Please note that Cheltenham Animal Shelter reserves the right to cancel the adoption of any animal, at our discretion, if we do not feel that you and the animal are suitable for each other.