Petfinder: How to Search for Adoptable Dogs, Cats, and Pets Near You

Petfinder is the largest online database of adoptable pets in the United States. The website and app bring together listings from more than 11,000 animal shelters and rescue groups across the country. Instead of calling shelter after shelter, you can search Petfinder to see which pets are available near you, filter by species, breed, age, and size, and contact a shelter directly through the site.

Petfinder is completely free to use. The shelters pay nothing to list their animals, and you pay nothing to search. Adoption fees charged by the individual shelters — which typically range from $25 to $150 depending on the organization — go directly to the shelter to cover the cost of veterinary care, vaccines, and spay or neuter surgery.

Each pet's listing on Petfinder includes photos, a description written by the shelter, information about the animal's age, sex, and size, and notes about the pet's personality and whether it gets along with children, other dogs, or other cats. Many listings also note whether the pet is already vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped.

Once you find a pet you are interested in, you can send a message directly to the shelter through Petfinder, or you will find contact information to call or email them directly. Most shelters require you to fill out an adoption application and may ask for a home visit or reference check before finalizing an adoption. The process usually takes a few days to a few weeks.

You can use Petfinder at petfinder.com on any computer, or download the free Petfinder app on your iPhone or Android phone.