Adopt a Pet

Animal Adoption

The Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter (PRAS) is excited to welcome guests to our facility! No appointment is necessary to come and adopt your new best friend.

Seating is available both inside and outside of our Adoption Center while you wait. Hand sanitizer and restrooms are also available for your convenience.

We look forward to seeing you and helping you find your perfect companion!

Ready to adopt?

When you enter our Adoption Center, you’ll be greeted by staff and volunteers who are eager to help you through the adoption process. After you’ve had a chance to look around at all of our amazing animals, you’ll need to complete an Animal Interest Questionnaire if you would like to meet with a particular pet. These forms are available at the front desk when you arrive, or you may fill one out online before your visit.

Filling out an online survey head of time does not serve as an adoption hold for that animal. PRAS Adoptions are on a first available basis.

PRAS does its very best to meet with every interested guest; however, time can sometimes be a limiting factor. Each adoption typically takes 30–45 minutes, and on some days, we may only have one adoption specialist available.

If you are serious about adopting, we recommend planning to arrive when we first open. This ensures a member of our Adoption Team will be able to sit down with you for a meet-and-greet and complete your adoption the same day. Arriving early gives you the best chance to meet your new pet and bring them home without delay!

Fall Empty The Shelters Adoption Special

September 18–30, 2026

It’s the perfect time to find your new best friend! From September 18 through September 30, adoption fees are reduced for our Empty the Shelters event, giving more shelter pets the chance to find loving forever homes.

This special includes all adoptable dogs and cats currently in our care, including pets living in foster homes! Whether you’re looking for a running buddy, a couch companion, a playful kitten, or a loyal lifelong friend, your perfect match may be waiting for you.

Please note: This special applies to dogs and cats only. Pocket pets and exotic pets are not included.

Come meet your match and give a shelter pet the second chance they deserve!

Adoption fees are as follows:

Large breed/adult dogs (1 year + and/or over 31+lbs)

Small breed/puppies (under 1 year and/or 30lbs and under)

Adult cats (one year +)

Kittens (under 1 year)

Seniors: No Fee

Adoption Process

PRAS supports the Adopter’s Welcome Philosophy in removing unnecessary barriers in the adoption process, and trust that our adopters have come prepared. Our dedicated Adoption Specialists are more than ready to answer any of your questions about the animal you are looking to adopt. We will provide you with the appropriate education for the best success as they transition from our shelter to your home.

Check In

Once you have seen an animal you would like to meet and possibly adopt; you must check in with our front desk team.

Adopters are allowed to choose up to two pets to meet during each meet-and-greet.
We stop accepting surveys at 3:30 PM, and our last meet-and-greet ends by 4:00 PM.

Fill out Animal Questionnaire

If you haven’t already done so- you will then be asked to fill out an Animal Interest Questionnaire. Once this is complete hand it back with our front desk staff who will then place your name on our Meet and Greet Board. PRAS does it’s very best to accommodate as many adoptions as we can during our open Adoption Hours.

Once your name has been placed on the board and we have confirmed your meet and greet, you can walk freely through the building until your Adoption Specialist is available to meet with you.

Meet with our Adoption Specialists

You and your Adoption Specialist will then sit down to discuss the animal and it’s known history while housed at PRAS. Then the Specialist will bring the animal in to meet with you. If you and your Specialist agree that this is a good match for you and your family, you will then be able to finalize your adoption the same day.

Make it official

After you have met the animal you are then ready to make them an official member of your family. You will sit down with a guest services staff member to finalize your adoption contract and receive all of the animal’s records.

Animal	Adoption Fee
Dog	$50 (over 30 lbs.), $100 (under 30lbs.)
Puppy (Under one year of age)	$100
Cat	$50
Kitten	$60
Working Barn Cat	$25
Rabbit	$65
Guinea Pig	$10
Rat, Mouse, Hamster	$5
Chicken, Duck	$5
Rooster	No Fee
Small Bird	$20
Large Bird	$50
Reptile	$20
Ferret	$40 ($60 for bonded pair)
Pot Bellied Pig, Goat	$25
Non-native Turtle	$10
Native Turtle	No Fee
Senior Animal (8+ years old)	No Fee

Peninsula Regional ANimal Shelter

5843 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23605

Phone: 757-933-8900
Fax: 757-933-8917

Regular Adoption Hours:

Monday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM