Adopt OC – Social Compassion

What kind of animal would you like to adopt?

Scroll to learn more about available pets, or click here to visit an adoption outlet.

DOG ADOPTION

Is a dog right for you?

Loyal Companion – Playful – Communicative Learns Tricks and Skills – Adventurous

Always happy to see you! Endless affection, tail wags, and snuggles, making every moment feel special.
Dogs love to learn tricks, new games, and go on adventures – whether its a walk around the neighborhood or a visit to nature.
Chasing their tails, sleeping in silly poses, or trying to “help” you with chores makes them very entertaining and funny.

CAT ADOPTION

Is a cat right for you?

Affectionate – Low maintenance – Intelligent Independent, yet loving

Cats may have a reputation for independence, but they can be incredibly loving, curling up on your lap, purring, or following you around the house.

Compared to some pets, cats are easy to care for: they groom themselves, use litter boxes, and don’t require daily walks.

The sound of a cat’s purr has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, offering comfort and a calming presence.

RABBIT ADOPTION

Is a rabbit right for you?

Fun to watch – Quiet – Hypoallergenic Herbivore (vegan)

Rabbits are intelligent and can recognize their names and come when called.
Being quiet, not needing much space, and being able to use a litter box, means they can live comfortably in almost any home.
They can form strong bonds with their owners, living up to 12 years.

top 10 Dog care Checklist

Bringing your new best friend home is a day you will never forget. Be sure you are prepared to welcome them.

1. Provide a Balanced Diet

Feed high-quality dog food that suits your dog’s age, size, and activity level. Dogs need a balanced diet with proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Avoid human food like chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, avocado, macadamia nuts, dairy, salty foods & artificial sweeteners can be toxic to dogs.
Ensure fresh water is always available to keep your dog hydrated.

2. Regular Exercise

Dogs need daily exercise to stay physically fit and mentally stimulated. The type and amount of exercise depend on your dog’s breed, age, and health.
Activities like walks, fetch, playtime, or agility training can help prevent health and behavioral problems.

3. Routine Veterinary Check-ups

Monitor for signs of illness, such as changes in appetite, behavior, or coat condition, and consult a vet if needed.
Schedule annual vet visits for check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive care.
Spaying or neuter your dog to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the risk of certain health issues.

4. Grooming and Hygiene

Brush your dog’s coat regularly to reduce shedding, prevent matting, and keep their skin healthy.
Bathe your dog as needed (usually once a month) using a dog-specific shampoo.
Trim nails every few weeks, clean ears, and brush teeth to prevent dental issues.

5. Training and Socialization

Start basic obedience training early, using positive reinforcement techniques (like treats and praise).
Socialize your dog with other animals, people, and various environments to build confidence and reduce anxiety.

6. Provide Mental Stimulation

Dogs need mental challenges to stay sharp and happy. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and training games can provide mental enrichment.
Teach new tricks or commands to keep your dog mentally engaged.

7. Provide a Safe, Comfortable Living Environment

Ensure your dog has a comfortable bed in a safe, quiet space.
Keep your home dog-proofed, removing access to harmful objects (like electrical cords, small objects they could swallow, and toxic plants).

8. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Carrying extra weight for dogs can lead to serious health issues like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
Monitor your dog’s weight and adjust food portions as necessary.
Use treats sparingly and consider healthy options like baby carrots or apple slices (in moderation).

9. Parasite Prevention

Protect your dog from fleas, ticks, and worms by using vet-recommended preventative treatments.
Regularly check your dog’s coat, especially after outdoor activities, and consult your vet about the best parasite prevention plan.

10. Love, Attention, and Bonding

Dogs thrive on love and attention. Spend quality time with your dog through cuddling, playing, or simply being together.
Build a strong bond through consistent, loving interactions and be attentive to your dog’s needs and emotions.

top 10 cat care Checklist

Bringing your new best friend home is a day you will
never forget. Be sure you are prepared to welcome them.

1. Provide a Balanced Diet

Feed high-quality cat food that suits your cat’s age, size, and health condition. Cats are obligate carnivores, so their diet should be rich in animal-based protein.

Avoid giving your cat human food, especially toxic foods like onions, garlic, chocolate, and dairy.
Ensure fresh, clean water is always available to keep them hydrated, especially if they primarily eat dry food.

2. Routine Veterinary Care

Schedule annual vet visits for check-ups, vaccinations, and dental cleanings.
Monitor for signs of illness, such as changes in appetite, litter box habits, or unusual behavior, and consult a vet if you notice anything concerning.
Spaying or neuter your cat to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the risk of certain health issues.

3. Maintain a Clean Litter Box

Scoop the litter box daily to keep it clean and odor-free. Cats are very particular about their bathroom habits.
Replace the litter and clean the box with soap and water at least once a week.
Place the litter box in a quiet, accessible location, away from food and water.

4. Grooming and Coat Care

Brush your cat’s fur regularly to reduce shedding, prevent matting, and minimize hairballs. Short-haired cats may need brushing once a week, while long-haired breeds may need daily grooming.
Check their ears for debris, and trim their nails every few weeks to prevent overgrowth.
Most cats don’t need regular baths, but if necessary, use a cat-specific shampoo.

5. Provide Enrichment and Mental Stimulation

Cats are curious creatures that need mental stimulation. Provide toys, puzzle feeders, and scratching posts to keep them engaged.
Rotate toys to keep things fresh, and consider interactive playtime with toys like feather wands or laser pointers.
Cat trees and perches can satisfy their need to climb and observe their surroundings.

6. Create a Safe and Comfortable Living Space

Ensure your cat has a quiet, cozy place to rest. Cats love soft beds, blankets, or even a sunny windowsill.
Make your home cat-proof by removing access to toxic plants, small objects, or any other hazards they might chew or ingest.
Provide hideaways and safe spaces where they can retreat when they need alone time.

7. Regular Exercise

Encourage daily play to help your cat stay physically fit and mentally healthy. Activities like chasing a ball, feather wand, or laser pointer are great for exercise.

8. Dental Health

Dental disease is common in cats, so consider brushing your cat’s teeth with a pet-safe toothbrush and toothpaste.
Provide dental treats or toys designed to help clean teeth and reduce tartar buildup.

9. Monitor Behavior and Health

Cats are masters at hiding illness, so keep an eye out for subtle changes like reduced grooming, hiding, changes in eating habits, or altered litter box use.
Pay attention to your cat’s weight and body condition. Gradual weight gain or loss can be a sign of underlying health issues.
Senior cats (7+ years) may need more frequent vet visits and adjustments in their diet or lifestyle.

10. Love and Social Interaction

Cats may seem independent, but they still need love, attention, and bonding time with their humans. Spend quality time cuddling, petting, or simply being around them.
Respect their boundaries—some cats are more affectionate than others. Learn to recognize when your cat wants attention versus when they need space. Keeping your cat indoors will keep them safe from predators such as coyotes, owls, hawks, or dogs, while also preventing the cat from killing small birds.

top 10 RABBIT care Checklist

Bringing your new best friend home is a day you will
never forget. Be sure you are prepared to welcome them.

1. Provide a Proper Diet

The foundation of a rabbit’s diet should be unlimited access to fresh hay (like timothy, oat, or meadow hay). Hay aids digestion and helps wear down their constantly growing teeth.
Supplement with fresh leafy greens (like romaine lettuce, parsley, or cilantro) and a small amount of high-quality rabbit pellets.
Avoid feeding rabbits high-sugar fruits, starchy vegetables (like carrots or potatoes), or any processed human food. Fruits should only be given as occasional treats.

2. Ensure a Spacious, Safe Living Environment

Many people think that rabbits don’t require much room for housing or exercise. Not so! Rabbits have powerful hind legs designed for running and jumping.They need plenty of out-of-cage exercise time, as well as a pen or cage that allows them to move freely. Provide a large cage or hutch (minimum of 4 times the size of your rabbit when lying stretched out), but allow them to roam in a rabbit-proofed area outside the cage daily.
Be sure to NEVER leave them outside unsupervised, as cats, dogs, and predator birds can kill them in a few seconds.
Line their living space with soft, absorbent bedding (like recycled paper bedding or straw). Avoid pine or cedar shavings, which can harm their respiratory system.
Ensure their enclosure is kept indoors, and away from extreme temperatures and predators, including barking dogs, which can kill the rabbit due to stress.

3. Provide Regular Exercise and Playtime

Rabbits are active animals that need at least 3-4 hours of exercise outside their cage daily to stay healthy.
Set up a safe play area where your rabbit can hop, explore, and stretch their legs. Include toys like tunnels, chew toys, and cardboard boxes to stimulate their minds.

4. Grooming and Coat Care

Rabbits groom themselves, but they still need assistance, especially long-haired breeds. Brush your rabbit regularly to reduce shedding and prevent hairballs, which can cause digestive blockages.
Never bathe your rabbit unless absolutely necessary, as it can cause stress and even hypothermia. Instead, use a damp cloth to spot-clean if needed.
Trim their nails every few weeks to prevent overgrowth and discomfort.

5. Provide Proper Litter Training

Rabbits are naturally clean animals and can be litter trained. Use a litter box filled with rabbit-safe litter (like paper-based or wood-pellet litter) in their cage and play area.
Clean the litter box regularly to keep it fresh and odor-free. Avoid clumping cat litter, as it can be harmful if ingested.

6. Routine Veterinary Care

Schedule annual check-ups with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian. Rabbits need specialized care, especially since they can hide symptoms of illness.
Spay or neuter your rabbit to prevent unwanted behaviors, reduce territorial aggression, and prevent certain cancers.
Monitor for signs of illness, such as changes in appetite, droppings, or behavior, and seek veterinary care promptly if you notice anything unusual.

7. Provide Mental Stimulation and Enrichment

Rabbits are intelligent and curious animals that need mental stimulation. Provide interactive toys, tunnels, chew sticks, and puzzle feeders to keep them entertained.
Rotate toys and change up their environment to prevent boredom.

8. Practice Safe Handling

Rabbits are delicate and can get injured if handled incorrectly. Support their hindquarters and hold them close to your body when picking them up.
Avoid picking them up by their ears, legs, or scruff. Most rabbits prefer to stay on the ground, so handle them gently and respect their comfort levels.

9. Keep Their Teeth Healthy

A rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout their life. Provide plenty of hay and safe chew toys to help wear down their teeth naturally.
Check their teeth regularly for signs of overgrowth or malocclusion, which can cause pain and eating difficulties.

10. Provide Fresh Water Daily

Ensure your rabbit has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Use a sturdy ceramic bowl or a water bottle attached to their cage.
Clean the water container daily to prevent bacteria buildup.

Before You Adopt - Know Your Animal's Rights!

Visit an Orange County Shelter

and save a life today

OC Shelter

1630 Victory Road
Tustin, CA 92782

855.886.5400

PUP Laguna Beach

20612 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA
92651

949.497.3552

Mission Viejo

200 Civic Center
Mission Viejo, CA
92691

949.470.3000

Irvine Animal Care

6443 Oak Canyon
Irvine, CA
92618

949.724.7740

San Clemente

221 Avenida Fabricante,
San Clemente, CA
92672

949.366.4765

Newport

20282 Riverside Dr.
Newport Beach, CA
92660

949.718.3454

Long Beach

7700 E Spring St,
Long Beach, CA
90815

562.570.7387

Promise 4 Paws

31878 Del Obispo St.
#118 – 379 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

949.600.1964

Adopt Online

Click on one of the links below to find available pets near you!

Pet Finder

Here to help you every step of the way from “just looking” at over 250,000 adoptable pets, to bringing your pet home.

Adopt a Pet

Our site connects hopeful pet parents with shelters, rescues, and rehomers—so more pets can find their people.

What kind of animal would you like to adopt?

DOG ADOPTION

Is a dog right for you?

CAT ADOPTION

Is a cat right for you?

RABBIT ADOPTION

Is a rabbit right for you?

top 10 Dog care Checklist

1. Provide a Balanced Diet

2. Regular Exercise

3. Routine Veterinary Check-ups

4. Grooming and Hygiene

5. Training and Socialization

6. Provide Mental Stimulation

7. Provide a Safe, Comfortable Living Environment

8. Maintain a Healthy Weight

9. Parasite Prevention

10. Love, Attention, and Bonding

top 10 cat care Checklist

1. Provide a Balanced Diet

2. Routine Veterinary Care

3. Maintain a Clean Litter Box

4. Grooming and Coat Care

5. Provide Enrichment and Mental Stimulation

6. Create a Safe and Comfortable Living Space

7. Regular Exercise

8. Dental Health

9. Monitor Behavior and Health

10. Love and Social Interaction

top 10 RABBIT care Checklist

1. Provide a Proper Diet

2. Ensure a Spacious, Safe Living Environment

3. Provide Regular Exercise and Playtime

4. Grooming and Coat Care

5. Provide Proper Litter Training

6. Routine Veterinary Care

7. Provide Mental Stimulation and Enrichment

8. Practice Safe Handling

9. Keep Their Teeth Healthy

10. Provide Fresh Water Daily

Before You Adopt - Know Your Animal's Rights!

Visit an Orange County Shelter

and save a life today

OC Shelter

PUP Laguna Beach

Mission Viejo

Irvine Animal Care

San Clemente

Newport

Long Beach

Promise 4 Paws

Adopt Online

Pet Finder

Adopt a Pet

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