Frequently Asked Questions
Posting a pet, finding a lost one, adopting, or looking for a shelter. Start with the guide below if you're not sure which option fits.
Which one do I need?
Posting a pet
What's the difference between Rehome a Pet and Post a Pet for Adoption?
Rehome a Pet is for a pet you own and can no longer keep. You find them a new home yourself, instead of surrendering them to a shelter.
Post a Pet for Adoption is for pets ready for their first home, whether that's one young pet or a whole litter. A litter can go up together, with one set of photos and one fee.
Both cost $14.95 one-time, both stay up for a year, and with both you choose who adopts.
How much does it cost to post?
- Lost pet: $4.95 one-time
- Found pet: free, always
- Rehome a Pet: $14.95 one-time
- Post a Pet for Adoption: $14.95 one-time
There's no subscription and nothing to renew. The small fee keeps posts serious and spam-free.
How long does my post stay up?
A full year. You can take it down sooner at any time, or mark your pet as adopted or found from your post once they have a home.
Where will people see my pet?
How do people contact me? Is my email shown?
People write to you through a contact form on your post, and we email you their message. Your email address isn't shown on the page, and you decide whether and how to reply.
Can I charge an adoption fee?
Yes, for Rehome a Pet and Post a Pet for Adoption. Keep it free or set your own fee. Many owners find a small fee helps attract serious adopters.
How do I edit or delete my post?
Log in and go to My Posts in your dashboard. From there you can update details and photos, or delete the post.
Lost & found pets
How do I search lost pets?
How do I search found pets?
Go to Found Pets and browse by state and city, or narrow it to dogs or cats.
I found a pet. Does it cost anything to post?
No. Reporting a found pet is always free, and your post stays up for a year or until the owner is found.
What do I get when I report a lost pet?
- A page for your pet with up to six photos and where they were last seen
- A printable flyer to put up around your neighborhood
- One-click sharing to Nextdoor and Facebook
- An email as soon as someone contacts you about your pet
Adopting a pet
Where can I find a dog or cat to adopt?
Start at Adopt a Pet, or go straight to dogs or cats and search by city.
Who am I adopting from?
Most pets come from shelters and rescues, and their page links to the organization caring for them. Pets posted directly by owners and breeders let you message the person posting through the page.
Can I save pets I like?
Yes. Tap the heart on any pet and it's saved to your favorites. You'll need a free account.
Shelters & rescues
How do I find a shelter or rescue near me?
Enter your city, state, or ZIP code in the search box on any page. We list shelters and rescues nationwide.
Is AnimalShelter.net a shelter?
No. We don't house animals and we aren't affiliated with any shelter or rescue. To adopt, surrender, or visit, contact the organization directly using the details on its page.
How do I add my shelter or rescue?
Go to the shelter & rescue page. You'll create a free account and tell us about your organization. Our team reviews every submission before it goes live.
A shelter's information is wrong or out of date. How do I fix it?
Open the shelter's page and click "Report inaccurate information" near the bottom. Choose a reason and send it. We'll check it and update or remove the information.