Bringing a new pet into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience! We’re here to guide you through the process and help you find the perfect match.
NOTICE: Our adoption pages are temporarily offline while we upgrade our adoption systems. Please check back Tuesday October 14th after 1pm. We appreciate your support and patience. Thank you.
Things to consider before adopting a pet
Bringing a pet into your home is a lifelong commitment, so it’s important to ensure you’re fully prepared. Before adopting, consider your lifestyle, living situation, and the needs of the pet you’re welcoming.
Do you have other pets, and are they social? Are you renting or a homeowner, and do you have secure fencing or fly screens if needed? Think about your daily routine, how much time can you dedicate to training, exercise, and enrichment?
Pets require ongoing care, from food and medical expenses to grooming and behavioural support. If you travel often or have a busy household, consider how your pet will adapt and who can support you if circumstances change.
Being realistic and honest about your circumstances helps us match you with a pet that suits your lifestyle, ensuring a smooth transition and a happy, lasting bond. Our team is here to guide you through the adoption process, so you can welcome your new companion with confidence.
How to Adopt with AWL NSW at our Sydney (Kemps Creek) Shelter
Step 1: Browse & Enquire
All of our available animals are listed on our website, including those at our Kemps Creek Shelter and regional branches. When browsing, be sure to check the location of each animal or use the filters to search by your preferred location.
If you find an animal that seems like the right fit, complete the adoption questionnaire linked on the page. Our team will help guide you through the next steps and arrange a meet-and-greet at our Kemps Creek shelter to ensure the best match for both you and your future companion.
You can also contact our team at 02 8777 4445 or email kempscreek@awlnsw.com.au to have a chat about which pets might suit your lifestyle and experience before booking an appointment.
Step 2: Prepare for your Appointment
Before your appointment, please ensure:
- All household members can attend the meet and greet.
- If renting, you have your landlord’s approval.
- Your home is prepared with all necessary pet supplies.
- You bring a carrier if adopting a cat or pocket pet (or you can purchase one for $20).
- You bring a lead, adjustable collar, harness and have appropriate car restraints if adopting a dog (or purchase these at our reception).
- You understand that transitioning from shelter life to a home takes time, some pets may need up to three months to fully settle.
Step 3: Meet Your New Best Friend
When you arrive at our shelter, our reception team will greet you and help you complete a Perfect Match Form (if not already submitted online). Then, an Animal Attendant will guide you through the process:
Cats – You’ll be led through our cattery to meet our adoptable cats and find the one who fits your lifestyle.
Dogs – After selecting a suitable dog, you’ll have a meet-and-greet in our exercise yard with an Animal Attendant. If you already have a dog, they must attend for a supervised dog-to-dog introduction.
Pocket Pets – You’ll visit our pocket pet section and discuss the best match. Ensure you have photos of your enclosure set up to show our staff prior to adopting.
Please note guinea pigs must be adopted in pairs or join an existing guinea pig at home as this ensures they feel safe and secure in a group. A supervised introduction will be required.
Our team will also discuss any medical or behavioural notes relevant to your pet, including ongoing care they may require.
Step 4: Finalising Your Adoption
Once you’ve found your perfect match, our reception team will finalise the adoption paperwork and transfer ownership.
We’re always here to help! If you have any questions after adoption, reach out, we love hearing updates on how your pet is settling in!
Adopting an animal from an AWL NSW branch
Our regional branches do not have physical shelters. Instead, animals in these locations are cared for in loving foster homes until they find their forever families.
If you’re interested in adopting an animal from one of our branches, follow the contact details listed on their adoption profile to get in touch with the local team. They will provide more information about the animal’s personality, needs, and next steps for arranging a meet-and-greet.
Adoption FAQs
Any previous or existing medical issues will be discussed with you, along with any current or resolved medical conditions. Our Kemps Creek clinic can provide the medical history to your chosen vet upon request.
We provide a 14-day veterinary service from the date of adoption at our shelter for any health conditions relating to the animal’s time in the AWL NSW shelter. This service covers reasonable costs and treatments but does not cover referrals for specialist care.
To give every animal the best chance of finding their perfect home as quickly as possible, we don’t place animals on hold. Adoptions are on a first-come, best-fit basis, ensuring that each pet finds the right family without unnecessary delays.
Adoption fees include desexing, microchipping, health checks, FIV/Heartworm testing, up to date vaccinations, flea and worming and lifetime registration.
Yes, but you will be required to have your landlord’s consent at the time of adoption.
To ensure a smooth transition and the best match for both the pet and your family, we require all household members to be present during the adoption process. This helps ensure the animal is comfortable with everyone and allows us to address any potential allergies or compatibility concerns before finalising the adoption.
Yes, however certain animals will require adult only homes based off their needs and suitability.
Yes, you can adopt if you work full-time. However, every animal has different needs, some pets are independent and comfortable being alone for longer periods, while others need more attention, training, or companionship and require owners who are home more frequently.