10 Animal Shelters and Organizations Where You Can Adopt, Not Shop

(SPOT.ph) We’ve heard it before: adopt, don’t shop, especially in a country where strays can be spotted at practically every corner.

It’s totally reasonable to want to be selective when adopting a pet. It is a lifetime commitment, after all. Many Filipinos are still under the notion that to adopt means a visit to the city pound, but that isn’t your only option. In fact, there have been plenty of pet adoption and rehabilitation centers popping up in the last 10 years—and it’s not just limited to the Metro, either.

Below are several pet adoption centers found all over the country, where the adoption fee will only cost you P1,000 or less. Remember, you aren’t just saving one life when adopting—you are also giving another rescue a slot to be rehabilitated and rehomed for a chance at a new life.

Also read: Adopt, Don't Shop: Quezon City Opens Animal Care Center

Where to adopt dogs and cats in Metro Manila and beyond

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society

Established in 1954, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is the most known animal welfare organization in the country—and for good reason. PAWS has been lobbying for better animal laws, as well as providing Aspins the proper recognition and treatment they deserve since it started in the ‘50s.

Every dog and cat they have up for adoption has been vaccinated and spayed/neutered. The adoption process will include an application form, a Zoom interview, a physical visit to the shelter dog, and an adoption fee of P1,000 for dogs and P500 for cats. 

PAWS is at Aurora Boulevard, Katipunan Valley, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. For more information, visit the PAWS website.

Lara’s Ark

Lara’s Ark began as a disaster relief operation for  animals left stricken during the Taal eruption in 2020. Since then, the organization has served as a sanctuary for disaster-hit animals everywhere, including the more recent typhoon Odette in 2021.

Each rescue is six to 12 months old and has been vaccinated, dewormed, and spayed/neutered. The adoption process will include an application form, an interview call, and an adoption fee of P1,000. If you already have a pet, you will also be asked to bring them to the shelter to check if the rescue will get along with yours.

Lara’s Ark has two locations, one at 585 Calbayog Street, Mandaluyong City and one at JP Laurel St., Nasugbu City. For more information, visit the Lara’s Ark Instagram page.

Hound Haven

Hound Haven focuses on building a new life for retired military working dogs and contract working dogs in the country—the first of its kind to have this specific advocacy. Take note that adopting a K-9 will be stricter than the regular screening given the unique circumstances these retired dogs experienced.

The adoption process will include an application form, a Zoom interview, a virtual home visit, and a foster period of one month to see if the dog is the right fit for your home and lifestyle. This will also require sending regular updates to show how the K-9 is adjusting to its new home. Once successful, the adoption fee is P7,500 for the rehabilitation of the K-9 during its time in the shelter. 

Hound Haven is at 353 Pinaglagarian Street, Pulong Yantok, Angat, Bulacan. For more information, visit the Hound Haven website.

Hope for Strays

Hope for Strays is primarily concerned with taking in abused and homeless dogs in need of urgent attention through constant fundraisers for medication and surgery. Once they are well and ready to start a new life, some of them are put up for adoption.

Watch out for the occasional adoption posts coming your way. Your lifetime friend might just be the next one.

Hope for Strays is at Barangay Danglag, Consolacion, Cebu. For more information, visit the Hope for Strays Facebook page.

Also read: Adopt, Don't Shop: These Rescue Cats and Dogs Are Looking for a Furever Home

Philippine Animal Rescue Team

On a mission to promote responsible pet ownership, the Philippine Animal Rescue Team (PART) is the first and only SEC-registered animal rescue organization in the country. What’s special about PART is that apart from the usual vaccination and spay/neuter, every dog is also microchipped and will receive a 25% discount on all medical services from PART’s partner vet Pendragon Veterinary Clinic.

The adoption process will include a visit to the dog in person, an application form, an interview, and a signed contract. The adoption fee is P500 for dogs and P200 for cats, which is non-refundable even in the event that the rescue is returned. PART also reserves the right to conduct surprise home visits to ensure the animal’s welfare is in accordance with the adoption terms and agreement.

PART is at 4611 Maulawin Street, Pagsanjan, Laguna. For more information, visit the PART website.

Aklan Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center

The people behind the Aklan Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (AARRC) are firm believers that animal welfare equals human welfare, which is why they do what they do for the betterment of the entire community.

Each cat and dog has been vaccinated, dewormed, and spayed/neutered. The application process includes a visit to the animal, a house check, a signed adoption agreement, and an adoption fee of P1,000. Make sure to bring two IDs as well.

AARRC is at Sunflower Road, Andagao, Aklan, Kalibo. For more information, visit the AARRC website.

Happy Animals Club

Established in 2014, Happy Animals Club is a no-kill shelter that has over 200 animals in its care—and it started with a nine-year-old boy who exchanged his pocket money for food to feed strays. It’s the first shelter of its kind in Davao City.

Every dog has been vaccinated and dewormed. The adoption process includes a visit to the shelter, a home visit, and a signed agreement form. Shelter visits are by appointment only, so walk-ins will not be entertained. Once greenlit for adoption, Happy Animals Club will deliver the rescue to your home, free of charge.

Potential owners must permanently live in Davao, have a stable income, and have a gated or fenced house.

Happy Animals Club is at Barangay Matina Aplaya, Davao City. For more information, visit the Happy Animals Club Facebook page.

MBY Pet and Rescue Sanctuary

MBY Pet and Rescue Sanctuary wasn’t built knowing it would become an animal shelter. What started out as an effort to rehabilitate one injured stray turned into a full-blown sanctuary of 1,400 unwanted dogs.

You can message MBY Pet and Rescue Sanctuary on Facebook to ask for a list of animals for adoption. There’s no adoption fee, but a screening process is a must.

SWS is at 113 Pantay Street, Sitio Talaga, Barangay Maybancal, Morong, Rizal. For more information, please visit the MBY Pet Rescue and Sanctuary Facebook page.

Also read: Vico Sotto's Post About Dogs Up For Adoption Gave Us the Cutest Comment Thread Ever

Pawssion Project

Pawssion Project has rehomed more than 620 rescues since it was established in Bacolod in 2018. By mid-2019, the non-profit organization had to open a second shelter in Bulacan to be able to house more rescues. There are 2,000 more rescues waiting to be adopted.

The adoption process will include an application form, a Zoom or Facebook Messenger interview, and a visit to the shelter to pick up the rescue. The adoption fee is P1,000 for dogs, but free for cats thanks to a generous sponsor.

Pawssion Project has two locations, one at 1429 Paradise 1, Purok 7 Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan and one at Balay Pawssion, Hacienda Eliza, Barangay Granada, Bacolod City. For more information, visit the Pawssion Project website.

CARA Welfare Philippines

True to its acronym, CARA Welfare is a non-profit organization that puts a premium on compassion and responsibility for animals. They do so by providing low-cost veterinary consultations and neuter programs in barangays, villages, and commercial establishments.

Take note that CARA is not an animal shelter, but select rescues are housed at the CARA Clinic for adoption. Each cat and dog is vaccinated, dewormed, and spayed/neutered. In fact, CARA Welfare has desexed 26,516 cats and 630 dogs since 2006.

CARA Welfare is at 175 Lopez-Rizal corner Samat Streets, Rizal, Mandaluyong City. For more information, visit the CARA Welfare website.