ADOPTION PROCESS & FAQ

THE ADOPTION PROCESS

Fishtails Animal Rescue is located in Philadelphia, PA and accepts applications within the tri-state area. Once you’ve browsed our list of available animals and have found a pet you’d like to adopt, the first step in our adoption process is to complete the adoption application.

Applications are reviewed within 72 hours of submission.

Any pet adopted out by Fishtails Animal Rescue will be:
Up-to-date on vaccinations
Microchipped
Spayed/neutered* (if age-appropriate)
Administered flea/heartworm preventative medications

Fishtails is a foster-based rescue, so once your application is approved, we’ll schedule a virtual or in-person meet and greet with your potential pet.

*If the animal is not spayed/neutered at time of adoption, the adopter will do so within 2 months after the animal reaches 6 months of age. In addition, if the pet is under 16 weeks at the time of adoption, the adopter is responsible for boosters for vaccines.

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F.A.Q.

DONATE!

Donating money, even if it’s just spare change ,can make a major impact! Consider asking friends and family to send donations to our rescues in lieu of gifts on your birthday. We hear everyone is doing it! Donate here

Want to donate supplies? We’re happy to have that too! Check out our wishlists and also see what we will accept.

Every donation is tax deductible and you may receive a donation receipt upon request.

SHARE!

Simply liking our Facebook or sharing a reel on our Instagram with your friends can help spread awareness! You never know when that special connection between human and adoptable pet will happen—share, share, share!

Rock our merch!

We have good taste and we know you do too. 100% of our merch sales go back to our animals in need. Shop cute hoodies, t-shirts, stickers, and more here.

Volunteer

Are you a graphic design wizard that can make flyers so cute that they should come with a warning label? Or perhaps lend a hand and help set up an adoption event? Do you have a car and can transport cats? Feel free to sign up to volunteer here!

Time-stamped animals are animals in an open-intake shelter that are set for euthanasia due to medical concerns, age, or overcrowding. Unfortunately, animals with medical needs are almost always the first to be slated for euthanasia, no matter their age/breed.

Dr. Cohn began her rescue efforts by pulling these types of animals from shelters, providing them with necessary medical treatments, putting them in loving foster care, and ultimately finding them their forever homes.

Time-stamped pets in need deserve a fighting chance, even with severe injuries and underlying illnesses. With the help of The Fishtails Fighting Chance Fund, these pets get their second chance.

Yes, you can! If the animal is eligible, you can foster them first to see if it’s a good fit before finalizing the adoption.

Absolutely, but we’ll need proof that pets are allowed in your home (lease agreement or landlord’s approval).

You’ll save a life

90% of our Fishtails Animal Rescue Adoptables were time-stamped pets who escaped euthanasia with minutes to spare.

You free up space for another rescue animal

Once a pet is re-homed and an adoption fee is received, this allows us to rescue and rehabilitate another time-stamped pet in its place.

They’re housetrained

Cats and dogs in foster care are exposed to house training. Most of our animals are house trained by the time they go to their forever home. Spend less time on accidents and more time enjoying your pet!

You can get what you want

Purebred? Puppy? Kitten? Cat that is good with dogs? Our rescue has had it all. Please, contact us and we may have the perfect fit for you!

What’s included

Spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, and all necessarcy medical treatment.

Adoption Fees

Cats:
$120 for a single adult cat
$50 Special needs cats (physical impairment, chronic medical condition)
$200 for a pair of adult cats
$150 for a single kitten
$250 for a pair of kittens
$220 for 1 adult and 1 kitten together

Dogs:
$ 300 puppies < 1
$ 250 for dogs > 1

We also waive some adoption fees through our scholarships! Find out more here.

Yes, but you must live within a 75-mile radius of Fishtown in Philadelphia, PA. We do not transport or fly out pets.

While we are a foster based rescue, some of our animals waiting for forever homes can be found at Fishtown Animal Hospital. We also host adoption events at that location. Check out upcoming events here.

There is no way to predict if a cat and a dog will get along, but the best bet for success is applying for a foster animal that lives with dogs in its foster home. When applying, make sure you note that you are interested in a cat-savvy or dog-savvy animal to pair with your current fur baby and we will find you a match!

If, for any reason you feel you can no longer keep an animal you adopted from FAR, you are required to contact us immediately. We will always take back one of our own.

ADOPTABLE PETS

APPLY TO ADOPT