How to Adopt a Pet from North Star Rescue

Thanks for your interest in adopting a pet from North Star Rescue. Adopting even a small pet is a big decision, and we've put together a variety of articles and information to help guide you in your adoption process.

Step One - Deciding on a Type of Pet
There's multiple factors to consider when bringing a new pet home. You'll have to take into account an animal's handling style, other family members in the household who will be handling them, the necessary habitat size, the day to day care, health concerns, the average life span of a species and more.

We have a variety of articles on our website including Choosing the Right Species, Small Animals & Children and Health Concerns for Humans. Please also take the time to read Love is Colorblind, which talks about common misconceptions owners have about color and gender in pets.

Step Two - Researching Pet Care
If you have never owned the species of animal you are interested in adopting, it's important to research and study about the care requirements of that animal's species. You should be very familiar with the day to day care and handling of a species, it's habitat needs, dietary needs, and the most common medical concerns for that type of animal.

Check out our Pet Care Information section for more information on pet care for a variety of species.

Step Three - Finding a New Pet
Check out our Available Pets for Adoption to see which animals are currently waiting for adoption at North Star Rescue. If you don't see your perfect pet listed for adoption, you can e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information on animals whose listings may not have gone up online yet, or for referrals to other rescue groups and shelters who may have your perfect pet waiting for adoption.

Step Four - Complete an Adoption Application
You can complete our Adoption Application online, or request a printable copy or copy via USPS mail. Adoption applications are generally reviewed and approved, or a request is sent for more information from an applicant within 48 hours.

Adopters who visit us at adoption fairs or outposts can complete an application in person, or an in person interview. Most applications done in-person are approved on site, and it's not necessary to make another appointment to complete the adoption.

Step Five - The Adoption Appointment
For those applications received by e-mail or postal mail, we will contact you to set up an appointment at a time that works for you to come meet your potential new pet(s). If you are adopting a pet to bond with a current animal you own, you are welcome to bring your current pet along to try introductions at one of our foster locations.

If you meet your new pet(s) and decide they are the right one for you, adopters are asked to sign an Adoption Agreement and pay a species specific Adoption Fee. We recommend that owners bring a secure, chew-proof carrier to bring their new pet home in.

Step Six - After the Adoption
North Star Rescue provides a 14 day health guarantee for all animals adopted from the rescue. We also provide a 14 day trial period to allow the owners to get to know an animal in their own home and be sure that the pet is the right match for them.

Animals who are adopted to bond with an owner's current pet have an extended trial period of 30 days, and can be returned to the rescue for a refund or exchanged if the bonding doesn't work out.