Washington Humane Society

The Washington Humane Society, the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States, has been the leading voice for animals in the District of Columbia since 1870. As the only open-access shelter in the nation’s capital, no call for help goes unanswered, and no animal is ever turned away. The Washington Humane Society provides comfort and care to nearly 30,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including: sheltering, adoption, humane law enforcement, spay and neuter, humane education, human – animal rehabilitation programs, and lost and found services. For more information, please visit www.washhumane.org.

Adoptions, Spay/Neuter Services, Public Education

The Process:
To meet our pets available for adoption, you can visit either of our shelters during pet visiting hours.

DC Animal Shelter, 1201 New York Ave.: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12pm-8pm; Sat/Sun 12-5pm (Closed for Adoptions on Wednesdays)
The WHS Shelter, 7319 Georgia Ave.: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12-7pm, Sat/Sun 12-7pm (Closed for Adoptions on Wednesdays)

You can also meet your new best friend at one of our adoption events in the community.

We ask that you visit with the pet outside of his/her kennel

We ask that you complete an adoption application. False, incomplete or withheld information will void your application. (applications can be downloaded on our website).

Once your application is completed, you will have a conversation with an Adoption Counselor to discuss adopting

Please be prepared to sit down with an Adoption Counselor at the time you complete your application. We strive to have on the spot, in person interviews. If an immediate interview is not possible at the time you submit your application you will receive a call to discuss your application within 1-2 business days of submission

If other household members are absent, we may ask to have them come to the shelter and interact with the pet

If you are adopting a dog and already own a dog, we may require that your dog come in and meet with the dog for adoption.

Once your application for adoption is approved, the pet must be picked up within 24 hours.