FAQ

ARF’s national headquarters and adoption center are located at 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598.

The Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization founded in 1991 to rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded municipal shelters and strengthen the human-animal bond for children, seniors, veterans, and people in need. Read about our unique dual mission and origin story.

Our Pets and Vets program was founded in 2011 with the goal of expanding our mission by Saving Both Ends of the Leash®.

Our team is committed to finding homes for all healthy and treatable dogs and cats in our care. Animals with treatable medical or behavioral conditions are evaluated and cared for prior to rehoming them. Learn more about these classifications by reviewing Maddie’s Fund’s Health & Behavior Categories for Shelter Animals. Potential adopters are provided with all health and behavior history during their time at ARF. 

We rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded or under-resourced municipal shelters. We do not accept surrenders from the public. If you feel unable to continue caring for your pet, please contact our Resource Center or read about rehoming a pet and our courtesy listings. 

If you adopted from ARF, our team is here to support you through the difficult decision to return your companion. Please read our adoption return policy. 

We are a non-profit organization funded by private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Complete financial information is available here. ARF is a registered charity in all 50 states.

It’s easy to make a secure online donation. To donate by mail, please send checks to the Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Dr., Walnut Creek, CA, 94598.

Other ways to donate include stock, item donations, planned giving, and more. 

We know you have many choices when it comes to charitable gifts. We are a proud recipient of Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency, and we have the distinction of being Charity Navigator’s number one celebrity-related charity. 

Find out how your gift will be put to good use. 

Our mission would not be possible without the time and talents of more than 600 active volunteers who are involved in everything from animal care to events to customer service to outreach. Learn about opportunities and register for a volunteer information session.

We rescue cats and dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. View our currently adoptable animals.

We rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded or under-resourced municipal shelters to give animals a second chance at a healthy, fulfilling life.

The majority of adoptions occur at our headquarters in Walnut Creek, California. Animals preparing for adoption often live with volunteer foster families until they’re ready to be adopted. Learn more about becoming a foster volunteer.

We also occasionally host mobile adoption events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Our adoption process is designed to create loving families. An adoption specialist will work with you to find the best possible match through conversation and discovery. The pet’s primary guardian must be 18 or older, complete the adoption in person, and present valid state-issued photo identification. Families should plan for the process to last a minimum of one hour.

Read more about our adoption process.

ARF adoption fees:
– Dog – $250
– Cat – $125
– Two Cats – $200
– Special Needs Dog – $150
– Special Needs Cat – $75
– Senior Dog (7+ years) – $150
– Senior Cat (7+ years) – $75
– Puppy (< 6 months) – $375
– Kitten (< 6 months) – $175
– Two Kittens – $300
– Special Needs Puppy – $200
– Special Needs Kitten – $100

Adoption fees are always waived for U.S. military Veterans.

Select animals have their adoption fees sponsored by generous admirers. Sponsor an animal.

Learn more about our adoption process.

Credit, debit, and cash are accepted. No checks, please.

Animals are ready for adoption after they have been spayed or neutered, and evaluated by both our behavior and veterinary teams.

All animals adopted from us receive a thorough veterinary exam, are spayed or neutered, given age-appropriate vaccinations, microchipped, de-wormed, and given flea preventative. All dogs are started on heartworm preventative. Dogs over 6 months are heartworm tested. Cats under 6 months are FeLV tested, and cats over 6 months are tested for both FeLV and FIV.

The adoption fee covers only a small portion of medical expenses and the cost of caring for an animal throughout their stay at ARF. 

We always waive adoption fees for U.S. Veterans.

Select animals have their fees prepaid by generous sponsors. 

Our skilled instructors offer puppy socials and dog training for new and experienced guardians.

Our youth programs for children are currently on hiatus. We look forward to bringing humane education back soon to give kids the opportunity to interact with animals and learn compassion, respect, and responsibility.

The Pet Care and Behavior Library is filled with helpful information on pet care, solutions for common behavior challenges, training tips, and more. 

If you do not see a certain topic covered, please contact the Resource Center for guidance.

Animals in our adoption program are given veterinary care at our state-of-the-art clinic, but we do not provide general services to the public. Limited services are available for low-cost spay and neuter, veterinary assistance programs for low-income pet guardians, and wellness veterinary care for Veterans’ pets. Explore veterinary assistance options.

We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, relying solely upon donations to fund our programs. We are not a granting organization and do not accept solicitations for funding.