How New Pet Alerts Can Help You Find Your BFF

You’ve been searching for your next companion and finally know what you’re looking for. Maybe they’re a goofy Lab mix, a mellow senior cat, or a bonded pair of bunnies. You scroll through listings, refresh the page a few times, and realize how quickly new pets appear — and get adopted. 

However, by setting up alerts on Adopt a Pet, you can get an email or notification the moment a new pet matching your preferences is listed. It’s the easiest way to connect with your next best friend before someone else clicks first.

How they work

New Pet Alerts are personalized notifications that help you keep track of pets who meet your search criteria. When a new dog, cat, or other adoptable animal is added to Adopt a Pet and matches your saved filters, you’ll receive an email with their photo, details, and a direct link to their profile.

Each alert is built around the search preferences you save, such as species, breed, size, and distance. That means your email alerts will only include pets who actually fit what you’re looking for, instead of every single listing in your area.

It’s like having your own adoption assistant quietly working in the background, gathering all the best matches while you go about your day.

How to sign up for new pet alerts

Setting up alerts takes just a few minutes. Here’s how to do it.

1. Go to Adopt a Pet’s search page: Here, you can enter your zip code and choose the type of pet you’re looking for (dog, cat, rabbit, bird, reptile, or another small animal).

2. Set your filters: Use the available filters to narrow down your search. You can filter by:

• Distance

• Breed (including mixed or designer breeds)

• Age

• Sex

• Size

• Adoption fee (if available)

• Cared for by (shelter, rescue, or private owner)

• Good with kids, dogs, or cats

• Color, health, or housetraining status

• Special tags such as “bonded pair,” “needs experienced adopter,” or “needs home fast”

3. Save your search: Once you’ve customized your results, click “Save Search” at the top of the listings page.

4. Create or log in to your account: You’ll be prompted to sign in or create a free Adopt a Pet account, so your preferences can be saved.

5. Check your inbox: Once your alert is active, you’ll receive an email whenever new pets who match your search are added. You can create multiple alerts if you’re looking in different areas or for different types of pets.

You can manage or edit your saved alerts anytime from your account dashboard. If you’re not getting many matches, try adjusting your filters or expanding your search range.

Want to be notified quicker?

If you live in a busy area or are looking for a specific breed or age, timing can make all the difference. With Premium New Pet Alerts, you’ll be notified as soon as new pets who match your preferences are listed — often before standard alerts are sent out.

Premium users also get early access to pets who tend to be adopted quickly, such as puppies, kittens, or purebred animals. If you’re hoping to find your match faster, this upgrade can help.

You can learn more — or upgrade to Premium — at the New Pet Alerts page.

What do I do if I see a pet I’m interested in?

When you receive a New Pet Alert that catches your eye, click through to the pet’s profile to see their full details. Depending on who listed the pet, you’ll usually have one or more options to connect. There are usually two options.

• Ask About Me: This opens a short message form where you can contact the shelter, rescue, or private owner directly. It’s a great way to ask questions or express interest.

• Apply to Adopt: This takes you to an adoption application where you can share more about your home, lifestyle, and experience with pets.

Once you reach out, the caretaker will guide you through the next steps, which may include a conversation, interview, or meet-and-greet. Check out this article to learn more about what happens after you reach out about, or apply for, a pet.

Related article

What Happens After I Click “Ask About Me” or “Apply to Adopt”?

Here’s how your adoption journey starts the moment you click that button.

How do I turn off notifications?

If you’ve found your new pet or just want to take a break, turning off alerts is simple:

1. Sign in to your Adopt a Pet account.

2. Go to the “Saved Searches” section.

3. Find the alert you want to stop.

4. Select “Delete” or toggle off notifications.

You can always turn alerts back on later if you start your search again.

Whether you’re hoping for a hiking buddy, a couch cuddler, or a companion for your other pets, signing up for alerts gets you one step closer to finding your new best friend. Create your alert today at Adopt a Pet’s New Pet Alerts page.