The Humane Society of Utah is a local, independent 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization that receives no government funding and is not associated with any national humane organization. The process of preparing homeless pets for adoption involves many staff and volunteers, plus a lot of time and resources. We provide healthy food, safe shelter, lifesaving medical care, behavioral training, exercise and enrichment, and foster care for pets during their stay with us.

When you adopt from the Humane Society of Utah and pay an adoption fee (which reflects only a portion of our investment in your new pet), you help us continue to care for the homeless animals in our community and make sure they are safe, protected, and loved.

Adoption Fees

We use a variable pricing system and the adoption fee for each animal is dependent on many factors including age, breed, and health of the individual animal. Adoption fees range from Name Your Own Price-$500 for dogs and Name Your Own Price-$175 for cats. The adoption fee for each animal is included on their animal profile. You can view the adoption fee for a specific animal by clicking on the animal’s photo.

Name Your Own Price

Name Your Own Price (NYOP) means that you can pay $5, $25, $50, or more! You decide your adoption fee based on what you’d like to pay as a donation to the Humane Society of Utah. We offer this as an incentive to help some animals quickly find a new home. Please note, research by Maddie’s Fund found no significant differences between adopters who paid a fee or not based on pet attachment level, postadoption lifestyle or healthcare, or perception of the adoption. Click here to read more.

  • Discounted adoption fees apply for select animals who have been at the shelter for 14 days or longer or for special promotions.

All dog and cat adoption fees include mandatory spay/neuter, a microchip, and species/age-appropriate initial vaccinations. All rabbits are also spayed/neutered. You will receive a free wellness examination at a participating private veterinarian (this list will be provided upon adoption). If you have any questions regarding the adoption fee of a specific animal, please call our Adoptions department at (801) 261-2919.

Humane Society Of Utah Cost Of Care Chart For Cats And Dogs. Intake Exam: Cats And Dogs $30 Evaluation, Vaccinations, Dewormer, General Preventative. Veterinary & Behavior Care: Cats $70 Vet Exam, Diagnostic Testing. $150 Treatment Of Ringworm. $25 Treatment of URI. $25 Cat Neuter Surgery. Dogs $300 Vet Exam, Diagnostic Testing (X-Rays, Parvo Testing). $150 Treatment Of Injured Leg ($1800 Donated Surgeon Fees). $80 Dog Spay Surgery. General Care: Housing Feeding Cleaning Of An Animal For Eight Weeks Cats $600 Dogs $750. Total Cost Of Care: Cats $925 Dogs $1330

Adoption Discounts

Placing Animals with Loving Seniors (PALS Program)
Senior citizens over 60 years of age may receive $15 off on an adoption fee of $50.00 or more. 

Active Military and Veterans
To honor and thank those who have served our country in the armed forces, all active or retired military members may receive $15 off an adoption fee of $50 or more. To receive the adoption discount, a photo ID and one of the following are required: military ID, dependent ID, DD-214, Driver’s License, or NGB Form 22.  There may also be adoption specials taking place at the Humane Society of Utah. Check our Events Calendar for specials on cats, dogs, and other adoptable pets.

* Prices and services are subject to change without notice.