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*Wednesdays open until 5pm*
1. Take a look at all our adoptable animals below! Our website is updated daily and refreshes every 20 minutes. If the animal you are interested in says it’s in a foster home, please email us at adoptions@lawrencehumane.org so we can schedule a time for you to meet that animal!
2. When you arrive, please come to the “Adoptions” side of the building to browse available animals. Click here for directions to the shelter.
3. An adoption counselor will meet with you and help you find a perfect match!
Clear the Shelter is a national adoption event that many animal shelters participate in every year. This year, Lawrence Humane is hosting Clear the Shelter Day on August, 26th from 10am to 6pm (or until all our animals are adopted!) All adoptions on this day are fee-waived! We will try to find 175 animals loving homes in one day.
Please bring a valid ID (must be 18 years or older to adopt) and a good attitude! It’s such a fun and busy day for staff and adopters!
Every animal who is adopted from Lawrence Humane is spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations, and microchipped. You’ll also receive a free collar and leash if you adopt a dog; or a free cardboard cat carrier if you adopt a cat. Dogs must leave with a leash and collar. Cats must leave in a carrier. If you already have a carrier, you are welcome to bring that with you.
We will have parking available across the street at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. If you need accessibility, please let the volunteer at the entrance to the parking lot know and they will direct you to where you can park!
We cannot guarantee the availability of any pet on Clear the Shelter Day. Adoptions are first-come, first-served, and pets may be adopted during regular business hours prior to the event. If your heart is set on a specific pet, we encourage you to consider adopting that pet prior to Clear the Shelter Day!
Lawrence Humane has hosted this event for 9 years and we do not see a spike in animal surrenders, abuse or neglect after the event. A few animals might be returned in the days following for valid reasons but they’re no higher than usual! It’s a really amazing day to see so many animals go to loving homes!
There will be no holds placed on animals for the event.
Typically, adoption fees at the Lawrence shelter are around $150 for adult dogs, $300 for puppies, $60 for adult cats and $125 for kittens; those fees will all be waived Saturday.
Due to the additional traffic on at the event, we will be unable to perform dog introductions. Research shows that a properly staged introduction outside of the shelter environment can be more successful than an introduction at the shelter and can increase the chance of a positive introduction income. All adopters will be provided with step-by-step instructions on how to properly introduce your new pet to your resident pet, and our staff is always here to help after the event if you have questions!
Not a problem! Please email marketing@lawrencehumane.org with any questions you have.
*Click or tap each question to see its answer*
If you have specific questions regarding an animal before making an adoption appointment, please email adoptions@lawrencehumane.org
Yes! We are open for walk-in adoption appointments every day of the week from 12 pm (noon) to 5pm.
For the safety of our guests and staff, we will limit capacity to no more than 20 guests in the adoption area at one time. If we are at capacity, you may be asked to wait briefly before entering the building.
Adopters must be at least 18 years old and present a valid photo ID at the time of adoption.
All dogs must go home with a collar and leash; all cats must go home with a collar and carrier. Our retail store has everything you need with all proceeds benefiting our lifesaving mission! Adopters are also welcome to bring their own collars, carriers, and leashes.
Sometimes you may need a little extra time to make a decision with other family members or get your home ready for your new arrival. A hold fee is $20. Hold fees are non-refundable and do not apply to the adoption fee. Puppy and kitten holds (5 months or younger) are good until close on the same day it is placed. Adult animal holds are effective until the following day at close. Adopters may only place a hold after meeting the pet in person.
The hold policy may be changed or suspended without prior notice during special circumstances such as an adoption special or times of high intake.
You can request a pet and be notified via email by PetHarbor when one of our shelter pets match your criteria. If you haven’t found a perfect match yet, please be patient! New animals come through our doors every day!
The Lawrence Humane Society is committed to finding loving homes for every healthy and treatable pet in our care. Below is a list of some of the ongoing special programs we offer to find forever homes for more pets.
*Click or tap each question to see its answer*
Customers who are 55 years or older may adopt a senior pet (7-10 years old) will receive half off the adoption fee. Customers who adopt a silver senior pet (11+) will have the adoption fee waived.
The Seniors for Seniors Program is generously sponsored by The Beth and Donna Fund.
Active Military can take $25 off the adoption fee for any animal one (1) year and older, year-round. Adopters must show current military ID to qualify.
Retired veterans can take 50% off the adoption fee for any pet one (1) year and older, year-round. Adopters must be veterans (retired), and show proof of veteran status via one of the following to receive a discounted adoption through this program:
Some cats that enter our care have temperaments better suited to an outdoor lifestyle can be successfully placed with caring owners as barn cats. These cats may live in a barn, stable or other outdoor setting where they have a “job” and a better quality of life.
Some working cats are social and well-suited to a life lived outdoors or as companions to horses, making them a great addition to a variety of rural households. Others are less social and live to hunt. Tell us the type of cat you’re looking for, and we’ll help you find the perfect match.
Adoption fees for cats in our Working Cat Program are waived.
Interested in a specific breed, age, or size of animal? Fill out this form and receive emails from Lawrence Humane Society (and any other shelters you select) when an animal comes into our care that match your criteria!
In addition to adoptions at Lawrence Humane, we also have animals located at PetSmart, PetCo, and Espuresso Cat Cafe!
If you’ve ever started a new job or moved to a new school, you know the feeling. New surroundings, new people, and new rules can take some time to adjust! It’s no different when you bring home your new best friend. The 3-3-3 rule is a general guideline. Every animal is unique and will adjust differently.
Expect a couple days for your new pal to decompress and start to feel comfortable. They may feel scared or unsure of their new surroundings. Some of these animals have been through a lot of stress! Don’t be alarmed if they do not want to eat for the first few days. They may act shut down and curl up in their crate or under the table. They also might test you to see what they can get away with. Be firm but gentle with your expectations to set the tone.
After three weeks, you will start to notice your pet becoming much more comfortable as they realize this really might be their forever home! They will learn your routine and really let their personality begin to shine! Initial behavior issues may start to disappear as they understand what is expected of them. Continue to be a strong pack leader and direct your new pet is what is right and wrong.
It’s been a couple months and you’ve built trust and a true bond with your animal, which gives them a complete sense of security with you. They are settled into their routines and you can know what to expect in terms of behavior. Enjoy your new rescue animal and feel proud they have adjusted to their awesome new life with you!
It doesn’t happen overnight!
If your pet is having troubles adjusting, let us help! Email our behavior team at behavior@lawrencehumane.org
Hours of Operation:
Adoptions: 12-6pm, every day EXCEPT Wednesday (we close at 5pm)
Pet Resource Center: 9am-6pm, every day
1805 E. 19th Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 843-6835
© 2021 | a 501c3 organization