How do I adopt?
Meet Your Match (for dogs)
The Roanoke Valley SPCA Adoption & Education Center is proud to participate in the ASPCA’S Meet Your Match™ Adoptability Program. Meet Your Match™ helps form lasting bonds by matching the expectations of pet ownership to a dog’s behavior. Matching the “canine-ality”, or personality, of the dogs in the shelter with the type of dog the individual is looking for lays the foundation for the human-animal bond to develop, providing a long-term home for the dog and the unconditional love of a pet for the human.
Meet Your Match is a unique color-coded system that matches the lifestyle and expectations of the pet owner with the dog most likely to fit in with that family.
Visit Our Animal Gallery
Your next best friend might be waiting at the Roanoke Valley SPCA Adoption & Education Center. Browse through the photos in our Animal Gallery and read the profiles on each animal. Our dogs have all been color-coded according to the Meet Your Match™ canine-ality criteria to make it easier for you to find the perfect pooch to fit your lifestyle, experience, and expectations.
The Animal Gallery is updated daily, so check back often. You can also complete an Adoption Request Form and mail, fax or bring it to the shelter. When an animal becomes available that fits your criteria, a staff member will contact you.
The Adoption Process
We are happy that you are considering adopting your new best friend from the RVSPCA and want your experience to be a good one. Bringing a pet into your home is a huge commitment and he or she will be an addition to your family. It’s important for you to spend time with an animal before making the decision to take him or her home.
Keep in mind that each animal has a personality all of his own. Talk to the kennel staff or adoption counselors. They interact daily with the animals and know about each one. If a dog or cat catches your eye, take him or her into the play area so that you can have some one-on-one time. Play with him. Get to know him and let him get to know you. Please read the adoption procedures in more detail.
All potential adopters must complete an Adoption Application. This 5 page document tells us a lot about you and what you expect from a pet. By completing the application fully, our adoption counselors will be able to guide you to the animal best suited for you.
Feel free to print the Adoption Application, complete it fully, and bring it with you when you visit the RVSPCA.
What to do after adoption
Bringing any new pet in to your home is always exciting. It’s the beginning of what we hope will be a long and joyous journey. However, you should keep in mind that the change of scenery is going to take some getting used to. As a responsible new owner, there are many things that can be done on your part to ensure that this initial transition period goes smoothly. Please check out the links below for some great tips on how to help your new friend adjust to his or her new environment!
