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PetFinder vs ASPCA

Wednesday, September 18th

2024 Pet Adoption Site Reviews

PetFinder Review 5 Star Rating

PetFinder

5 Star Rating
  • Many different kinds of animals from various shelters and rescue organizations
  • "Perfect match" sorting feature to find the best pet for your lifestyle
  • User-friendly interface for sorting and filtering pet options
  • Each pet has a personalized FAQ page
  • Option to sponsor pets you can't adopt
  • Featured Pet Module Code Generator for featuring local shelter pets on your website
  • Allows saving pets to a favorites list for later reference
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

PetFinder is an excellent tool for finding your new best friend. You can browse over 10,000 pets from various shelters and rescue organizations to find the right companion for your lifestyle. Take advantage of unique features like "perfect match" sorting and personalized pet FAQs. If you fall in love with a pet you can't adopt, you can still sponsor them with a donation. PetFinder is highly recommended for its broad selection of pets and customizable search function, making it our top-rated pet adoption website.

ASPCA Review 3 Star Rating

ASPCA

3 Star Rating
  • Established in 1866, the ASPCA is the first animal welfare organization in North America
  • Collaborates with and trains local rescues, shelters, and clinics instead of operating their own shelters
  • Lists dogs, cats, and horses for adoption in select cities and states
  • Offers basic filtering functions for pets, including by sex, age, and size
  • Has an adoption center in NYC, along with mobile events and fostering opportunities

You've probably heard of the ASPCA from its commercials. As the first animal welfare organization in North America, the ASPCA lists dogs, cats, and horses for adoption in select places like New York City, Los Angeles, North Carolina, and Ohio. If you live in these places, you can filter pets by sex, age, and size and even visit the adoption center if you're in NYC. However, the adoption service is not available nationwide, which is a drawback. Despite this limitation, if you happen to reside in one of these cities, we recommend considering the ASPCA for pet adoption.

What Are the Best Pet Adoption Sites?

Whether you're a parent looking for a gentle family dog who's good with kids, a single college grad looking for a cat to cozy up to while working remote, or a rare reptile enthusiast, online pet adoption sites can help you find the perfect pet for you without having to leave your home.

These sites provide a vast selection of animals from various shelters, rescues, and private owners, all in one place. That means you won't have to visit multiple shelters, which can be time-consuming and emotionally taxing. Also, these sites typically provide detailed information about each animal's background, health, and behavior, which is important for making an informed adoption decision.

The Best Pet Adoption Sites Compare Pet Adoption Sites Compare Pet Adoption Site Reviews What are the best Pet Adoption Sites Best Pet Adoption Site Reviews

Pet Adoption Site FAQ

Choose a pet adoption site that offers the selection of animals relevant to you, whether that's dogs, cats, birds, or possibly more exotic pets like reptiles, amphibians, or farm animals. Be sure the site provides detailed information about each animal's background, health, and behavior to help you make an informed decision.
While online adoption sites provide health details and the pet's history, remember that they usually rely on shelters, rescues, or private owners for these details and aren't directly responsible for their accuracy. It's a good idea to contact the current caretaker directly for the most recent health updates and possibly request a vet's certification.
The potential for a trial period or the ability to return a pet if the adoption doesn't go as planned is typically determined by the individual shelter or owner listing the pet, not the adoption site itself. That means you'll need to understand the specific policies of the person or place you're adopting from, since these policies are not standard across the board and the pet adoption website can't vouch for a pet's suitability.
Costs may include an adoption fee, which often covers veterinary checks like vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and sometimes microchipping. Additional costs can include transportation if the pet is not local. Always confirm all fees before finalizing the adoption.
The process generally starts with you browsing available pets and selecting one that meets your criteria. You'll likely need to fill out an application, undergo a vetting process, and possibly meet the pet in person before you can finalize the adoption.
While adoptions can be successful without a prior physical meeting, it's a good idea to meet the pet if possible, or at least have a virtual interaction. If you already have other pets, find out if you can bring them along to see if they get along with their proposed new sibling.
Prepare your home with all necessary supplies such as a bed, food, toys, and grooming tools. You'll also need to plan for an adjustment period to help the pet get comfortable in its new environment. Many pet adoption websites publish articles about this process.
Do your homework on the site to check its reputation and read reviews from other users. Sites that are associated with established animal welfare organizations or that provide transparent information and support throughout the adoption process are generally more reliable.
Compare the Best Reviews

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However, not all pet adoption sites are the same. Some specialize in specific types of animals, often dogs and cats, while others might focus on rescues or purebreds. Some of them include birds, rodents, amphibians, reptiles, and even farm animals.

There are also differences in the services they offer. For instance, a couple of sites offer support throughout the adoption process, including tips for first-time owners and post-adoption care, while others simply act as a listing service. Pet adoption websites typically can't be held responsible if you have a negative interaction with someone using their platform to list a pet, so be sure to do your own research on who you're adopting from.

When looking for the right pet adoption site, consider the following:

  • Type of pets available. Are you looking for a dog, cat, bird, or maybe a more exotic pet? Most sites focus on cats and dogs, and the ones that offer atypical pets may not have many listed at all times. Find out if you can sign up for notifications when pets meeting your criteria are listed.
  • Adoption support and resources. Does the site walk you through the adoption process? Some websites offer articles and resources to help you before, during, and after adoption.
  • User interface and search functionality. Is the site easy to navigate? Can you easily expand the area of your search and filter pets according to your criteria?

Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best Pet Adoption Sites available. We hope this review helps you find the best service for you, ensuring that you and your new pet start off on the right paw!

The Best Reviews of Pet Adoption Sites