Adoption fees and what is included in your adoption fee:
Current Hours and VIP Donor (Effective September 2026)
Wednesday through Friday open hours 11am to 5pm. Saturday hours 10am to 4pm. We are closed on Sunday - Tuesday.
VIP program - emails are sent out when we get a group transport - we do not send emails out for locally surrendered pets or pets that come in one at a time so please check the website daily and be sure to refresh your browser for current animals.
Adoptions are first come first adopted.
Preference on adopting a pet is given to our Shelter Supporters and VIP Donors When animals arrive at the shelter, VIP donors will be emailed and given the first option to set up an appointment to view an animal of their choice. Click on the link above for full details.
Due to limited staff, we may not be able to answer the phones. All information is available on this website, or can be answered by email to staff@sterlingshelter.org. Please be patient, we are doing the best we can to handle the volume.
If you don't See a pet on our PETS for ADOPTION PAGE - it simply means that pet was adopted. Please make sure to refresh your browser any time you visit our website to see current pet in our shelter.
We have several areas in/around the shelter to view and interact with the pet/s that you are potentially going to adopt. This includes outdoor, fully fenced yards. We do require you to bring any dogs in the home and all children for a meet and greet.
Planning YOUR Visit to Adopt: please plan to accordingly - ADOPTIONS end 30 minutes PRIOR TO CLOSING. please make sure you have any/all necessary paperwork required for adoption and help us stick to our schedule/s
You should plan
- For cats/kittens plan for 30 to 45 minutes.
- For dogs/puppies plan for 45 to 60 minutes. If you have another dog/s at home - make sure to bring him/her - we have plenty of space/areas to do a meet and greet with a new dog and your dog/s.
If you are a VIP scheduling an appointment time and can't make it please let us know ASAP so that pet has a chance to be adopted. We ONLY hold pets 24 hours for the VIP program.
