Puppy Adoption Process

Interested in adopting a puppy? All SF SPCA puppy adopters must attend our 1-hour Puppy Parent Orientation class. Puppy Parent Orientations are held several times a month. Potential Puppy Parents that attend the Orientation have priority preview of our puppies. All puppies are available for holds after their Preview Day. Interested puppy adopters may be able to place the puppy on hold (for a non-refundable fee) and sign up for an upcoming Puppy Parent Orientation session, which will need to be completed before finalizing the adoption.

Adoptions will occur on a first come, first served basis beginning at time of the Adoption Center’s opening (no early arrivals, please). For multiple clients interested in the same puppy who arrive at same time, priority will be given based upon the attendance date of the Puppy Parent Orientation. Clients arriving at the same time who attended the same Orientation class will be chosen by lottery. For same day adoptions, please make sure that you are signed up at the front desk at least an hour before closing to ensure enough time to process the adoption.

Our Premier Puppy Parent Program is designed to educate potential adopters about puppies and set them up for success. Get pre-certified as a Premier Puppy Parent by attending a FREE class in advance of your adoption and receive the following benefits:
  • Early Availability Alert – You will be among a select group who will receive advance notification via email of puppies who will soon be available for adoption.
  • Priority Viewing Hours – Premier Puppy Parents have at least 24 hours of exclusive visiting and adoption privileges for new puppy litters before the general public.
  • Expedited Adoptions – By attending a class and pre-certifying, you are able to take your new puppy home as soon as he or she is ready.

Jump to a list of upcoming Puppy Parent Orientation classes and get pre-qualified today!

View all puppies currently up for adoption.