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Adopt

Adopt a loving animal and save a life.

Our team matches you with an animal whose needs and personality fit your lifestyle and comfort level. You're never alone in this journey — guidance, tips, resources and 24/7 support are included, with a team cheering you on every day.

Adoptions opening soon — questionnaires are open now

Adopt a dog or cat in Orange County

Start with the adoption questionnaire so Healing Hearts Sanctuary SoCal can match an animal to your home. Dog and cat questionnaires are available in English and Spanish. After review, a meet-and-greet takes place at the foster home or a local event.

Our animal rescue in Orange County cares for animals in foster homes while we work toward a permanent sanctuary.

If you are not ready to adopt, you can foster a dog or cat while we find the right home.

There are also ways to help that do not involve bringing an animal home.

Your time can make a difference through our volunteer opportunities.

Our no-kill promise explains the approach behind our rescue work.

Before you apply to adopt

Where do I begin an adoption application?

Complete the dog or cat adoption questionnaire on this page. Both are available in English and Spanish.

What is the minimum age to adopt?

Adopters must be 18 or older with valid ID.

When can I meet an animal?

The questionnaire comes first. After review, a meet-and-greet takes place at the animal's foster home or a local event.

Is a home check part of adoption?

Yes. A brief virtual or in-person home check takes place on adoption day alongside the adoption agreement.

Start your adoption questionnaire

Thank you for choosing to make a difference. Together, we're giving innocent animals the chance they deserve. Welcome to our family — we're honored to have you.

How adoption works

From questionnaire to first night home.

We move at the pace of a good match — usually one to two weeks from questionnaire to adoption day.

  1. 1 Apply Fill out the dog or cat questionnaire (English or Spanish). Tell us about your home, schedule and what you're hoping for.
  2. 2 Conversation A team member calls within a few days to talk through lifestyle fit and answer your questions.
  3. 3 Meet & greet Meet the animal at their foster home or a local event — bring the whole family, including resident dogs where appropriate.
  4. 4 Home visit & adoption day A quick virtual or in-person home check, the adoption agreement, and you go home together with a starter kit.

Adoption requirements

  • Adopters must be 18 or older with valid ID
  • Landlord approval if you rent (we can help with the letter)
  • All resident pets current on vaccines and spayed/neutered
  • Everyone in the household agrees to the adoption
  • A commitment to keep cats indoors and dogs on leash or in a secure yard

Included with every animal

  • Spay/neuter surgery
  • Age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming
  • Microchip registered in your name
  • Flea/tick prevention and a recent vet exam
  • Foster notes on personality, routine and favorite things
  • 24/7 support line and a two-week check-in

What every adoption includes

Fee

Adoption fees

Every adoption fee includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping and a vet exam, and covers only a fraction of the real medical cost. The rest is donor-funded. Ask us about current fees for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens.

Support

Never alone

Behavior questions at 11pm? A vet bill you didn't expect? Call or text. Your wins are our wins.

Promise

Lifetime return policy

If life changes, your animal always has a home with us. No judgment, ever.

Adoption questions

Adoptions open as our first fosters are ready. Applying now means you're first in line — we match approved applicants before public listings.

Yes. Many of our animals do beautifully in working households. We'll match energy level and routine to your day.

Case by case, within reasonable driving distance for the meet-and-greet and home visit.

Foster families live with each animal for weeks, so we can tell you honestly how they do with children, dogs and cats.

Every adoption fee includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping and a vet exam, and covers only a fraction of the actual medical cost. Fees vary by age and species; ask us for current amounts. Seniors and bonded pairs: ask us.

The questionnaire comes first — it lets us match you thoughtfully instead of on a first-come basis. Once your questionnaire is reviewed, step three is a meet-and-greet at the animal's foster home or a local event.

Yes, a quick virtual or in-person home check happens on adoption day, alongside the adoption agreement — it's brief and never a reason to worry.

Every question helps us match the right animal to your home the first time, so you're not adjusting twice. It protects the animal from another move and protects you from a mismatch.