I Want to Adopt an Animal

Adopting an animal in Shanghai is a big decision: Adoption is Forever

Before you adopt

Which pet best suits your lifestyle?

Opening your home and family to a pet is a very rewarding experience. SCAA has many loyal and affectionate cats, kittens, dogs and puppies in need of a good permanent home.
SCAA, like many forward-thinking animal rescue organizations, helps adopters choose a pet that best suits their lifestyle.  For instance, busy working singles or couples who are not home for 10 or 12 hours at a time are not ideal adopters for an eight-week old kitten that needs socializing and training.  And a puppy that will grow into a large dog is not well-suited for someone living in a 1 bedroom apartment. 

This may seem like common sense to most animal lovers, but short-sighted adoptions based solely on an animal’s color, gender, age or breed have often resulted in unwanted pets in the long-term. Cats and dogs have different lifestyle needs and many dog breeds have their own special characteristics. To find an animal that’s right for you, please review Before You Adopt

SCAA directors and foster parents pride themselves on understanding a foster animal’s personality and habits.  We have a good idea of the type of home best suited to each animal and also the type of home not likely to work out.  We have learned from experience and have had excellent feedback from adopters who relied on our advice to find a suitable pet.

SCAA animals looking for a good home

For photos and a description of some of our animals (not all are posted), please check out the SCAA Adoption Gallery

For more information on a gallery animal, or if you don’t see the animal you have in mind, please e-mail us:
(cats and kittens)
(dogs and puppies)
(all enquiries)
or visit SCAA at an Adoption Day.

Please note that because foster animals are cared for in volunteer foster homes around Shanghai, home visits outside of Adoption Day are generally not feasible.  An exception will only be made for older kittens (at least 7 months old), adult cats, and dogs being given high priority for adoption.  SCAA directors and volunteers cannot accommodate any other special requests.

We are always taking in new rescues, so if you don’t find the pet that’s right for you today, please keep in touch. Do not buy an animal from a market or pet store.

Adoption Procedures

1. Review and complete the appropriate SCAA pre-adoption questionnaire and email it to SCAA. Familiarize yourself with the terms of SCAA’s Adoption & Sterilization Agreement.
2. Discuss adoption with an SCAA representative via email, telephone or in person at an SCAA event.
3. Get your home ready ahead of time with what your pet will need:
   • pet food (wet and/or dry)
   • litter box, cat litter and scoop
   • cat scratching post
   • nail clippers and pet brush
   • dog harness / leash
   • money set aside for a mandatory dog license (up to RMB2000)
   • toys
   • pet carrier / crate (bring this to Adoption Day!)
4. Visit Adoption Day to meet animals looking for a good permanent home.

Please see SCAA Adoption Procedures for the required forms.

We look forward to hearing from potential adoptive parents!

REMEMBER: If ongoing care and repatriation to your home country costs are too much, then being a foster parent is a great way to help SCAA’s rescued animals.