About Adopting

Pet AdoptionThe Pennington County Humane Society animal shelter is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Animal Health (license # MN139638) for up to 27 dogs/puppies & up to 60 cats/kittens. The shelter is more often than not filled to the maximum allowed by the license. While we try to keep the available animals listed online, we may have missed a few – so if you don’t see what you want, please give us a call.
To adopt from Pennington County Humane Society, you must be over 21 years of age. You must own the home where you are living or have a signed statement from your landlord permitting you to have a pet in a leased or rented home
Cats must be kept indoors at all times unless leashed & accompanied by a responsible adult. Many mobile home parks have their own set of rules, so please check with the park manager before attempting to adopt them.
Many cities have ordinances in regard to pets that must be followed. This includes proper vaccinations & licensing. Some communities may restrict the number of pets allowed in each household. Be sure to check your local ordinances before attempting to adopt.
All adoptions must be done by the person with who the pet will be living the majority of the time. We do not allow adopting pets as gifts for other people. You may, however, pay the adoption fee for a pet & we will provide a “gift certificate” which allows the recipient to adopt without additional cost. The recipient must meet the guidelines listed above to adopt. Adoption fees are non-refundable.​Adoption fees for a dog are $185-$200​Adoption fees for a or puppy are $200-$225Adoption fees for a cat or kitten are $50-$125Adoption fees may vary – call to find out
As always, please contact us at 218-681-8045 if you have any questions

Animal Surrender

Surrendering an animal
Pennington County Humane Society has limited managed admission.  If we have space available, we can intake animals by appointment only.  Surrenders are only taken by appointment ONLY.

Surrender FAQGet answers to frequently asked questions about surrendering an animal to Pennington County Humane Society.
Why do I need to make an appointment to bring in a pet? To ensure resources are ready and available when a pet arrives, PCHS requires a scheduled surrender appointment. 
What types of pets does PCHS accept? Pennington County Humane Society provides services for cats, dogs, domestic rodents, ferrets, and hedgehogs. We are not accepting rabbits. We do not accept exotic pets or livestock.
What should I expect from my appointment? When you arrive for your appointment, please check in at the office. First, we'll admit your pet (if your pet shows aggression at intake, we will not complete the admission); complete intake forms and surrender fees vary and are based on income. Most appointments will take 30-45 minutes per animal.
What do I need to bring to my appointment? In addition to your pet, please bring your pet's belongings.  We ask you to bring items your pet is familiar with to ease the transition.  Examples include a bed, blanket, food, collar, leash, and toys. Please bring a driver’s license or other government-issued ID, proof of pet ownership, copies of veterinary records,  and the surrender service fee.
Can I find out what happens to my pet after it's surrendered to PCHS? Yes. If YOU contact PCHS, we'll let you know if your pet was adopted or placed with a rescue partner. However, we will not share adopters' contact information or details about the rescue partner to which your pet is transferred.