Prepping for pet parenthood?
There's a lot to learn when you have a new pet. Our sister brand, The Wildest, is here to support you—with new pet checklists, virtual training, and expert guides. Sign up for free.
Close button icon
Adopt

Search and see photos of adoptable pets in the Newport News, VA area.

Find a pet to adopt

Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter

5843 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA 23605

Contact
Email pras-adopt@nnva.gov
Phone (757) 933-8900
cats, birds, dogs, farm animals, rabbits, reptiles & small animals at Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter

Areas Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter serves

Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York Co.

Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter's adoption process

1.

Visit the Facility and Find a Pet

2.

Submit Application

3.

Meet the Pet

4.

Sign Adoption Contract

Additional adoption info

PRAS supports the Adopter’s Welcome Philosophy in removing unnecessary barriers in the adoption process, and trust that our adopters have come prepared. Our dedicated Adoption Specialists are more than ready to answer any of your questions about the animal you are looking to adopt. We will provide you with the appropriate education for the best success as they transition from our shelter to your home.

Check In
Once you have seen an animal you would like to meet and possibly adopt; you must check in with our front desk team.

Fill out Animal Questionnaire
If you haven’t already done so- you will then be asked to fill out an Animal Interest Questionnaire. Once this is complete hand it back with our front desk staff who will then place your name on our Meet and Greet Board. PRAS does it’s very best to accommodate as many adoptions as we can during our open Adoption Hours.

Once your name has been placed on the board and we have confirmed your meet and greet, you can walk freely through the building until your Adoption Specialist is available to meet with you.

Meet with our Adoption Specialists
You and your Adoption Specialist will then sit down to discuss the animal and it’s known history while housed at PRAS. Then the Specialist will bring the animal in to meet with you. If you and your Specialist agree that this is a good match for you and your family, you will then be able to finalize your adoption the same day.

Make it official
After you have met the animal you are then ready to make them an official member of your family. You will sit down with a guest services staff member to finalize your adoption contract and receive all of the animal’s records.

Find more information about the adoption process and fees here: https://www.nnva.gov/2335/Animal-Adoption

Please visit the shelter to see if there is an adoption special!

Adoption application

About Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter

The Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter (PRAS) is a collaborative venture supported by four separate Hampton Roads communities: Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, and York County. This 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility is managed and operated by the City of Newport News on behalf of the four jurisdictions. This "open-admission" shelter contains a full service veterinary clinic and has capacity for approximately 100 dogs and 180 cats, as well as pocket pets and other small companion animals. The shelter's primary responsibilities include holding stray animals until they can be reunited with their owners, rehoming owner-surrendered pets, and facilitating pet adoptions. The shelter also houses animal control offices for the participating jurisdictions.

Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter's adopted pets

Make a donation to Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter to help homeless pets find homes

Adopt a Pet is the easiest way for you to search for a new pet in Newport News, VA.

Support adoption and rescue. Why go to a dog breeder, cat breeder or pet store to buy a dog or buy a cat when you can adopt?

Why should you adopt?

Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and you'll have a friend for life.

What is the difference between adopting a dog, adopting a cat, adopting a kitten or adopting a puppy versus getting dogs for sale, cats for sale, puppies for sale or kittens for sale from a dog breeder or a cat breeder?

When someone is breeding puppies or breeding kittens, they are creating new dogs and cats who need homes. Some people are interested in a very specific breed of dog, cat, puppy or kitten and they think the only way to find that specific breed is to buy a dog for sale or buy a cat for sale from a puppy breeder or a kitten breeder. Yet animal shelters are filled with dogs and cats who must find homes.

So rather than buying a dog or puppy for sale from a dog breeder or buying a cat or kitten for sale from a cat breeder, we encourage people to adopt a dog, adopt a cat, adopt a puppy or adopt a kitten at their local animal shelter, SPCA, humane society or pet rescue group.