Applicant Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and show valid proof of ID at the time of adoption and must have completed a pre-adoption questionnaire. The pre-adoption questionnaire is a three page form that all applicants for adoption must complete prior to approval for adoption.
TLHS adoption counselors will review the applicant’s previous and current pet ownership information and references as well as lifestyle and living arrangements. Please provide name of veterinary clinic and contact information for a veterinary reference as well as landlord name and contact if applicable on the questionnaire.
Proof of rabies vaccination on any owned animals must be provided at the time of adoption consideration as well as heartworm prevention for any currently owned dogs or puppies.
Please note that completing an adoption application does not mean that you are automatically approved to adopt that animal. The adoption approval is left to the discretion of the adoption counselors and management at TLHS.
TLHS reserves the right to deny an adoption to anyone who has not taken the opportunity to first visit the animal in person.
Choosing the perfect pet for your home
TLHS bases our adoptions on matchmaking. Inform your adoption counselor of what your home and lifestyle is like. This is a critical step of our adoption process as our adoption counselors are experienced with every adoptable animal in our facility and can best match you with the perfect fit. To learn more about why matchmaking is important click here.
TLHS is happy to introduce a dog or puppy to a currently owned dog. Please let the adoption counselor know if you would like to take advantage of this courtesy. We will not be able to test cats from our facility with your dog or cat for safety reasons. If you have a cat at home, please inform the adoption counselor. We will do our best to ensure the safest choice for all animals involved.
Do not feel rushed to make a decision. Adopting is a lifetime commitment for both the adopter and adoptee. That’s a big decision to make. Not sure that a lifetime commitment is best for you at this time? Click here to learn more about how fostering may be right for you.
If you have not visited our facility, please use this time to discuss pet ownership with a veterinarian of your choice and plan a visit to TLHS to discuss adoption with one of our adoption counselors. Our goal is for the transition from our adoption facility to your home the best experience and most positive experience it can be.
Ready to adopt?
Canines
Puppies under 6 months – $150
Puppies over 6 months and adult dogs – $85
VIP Dogs – $150
Felines
Kittens under 4 months – $80
Kittens over 4 months and adult cats – $60
VIP Cats – $80
Dog Adoptions Include:
- Spay or neuter
- Rabies vaccination
- Current on routine vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and flea and tick prevention
- Heartworm test (if over 6 months)
- Routine deworming
- Microchip
- Free health exam within 48 hours of adoption at a local participating vet
- Pet Insurance (optional post-adoption)
A “VIP” pet is a highly adoptable canine or feline that is adopted quickly, usually the same day or week that they are made available.
Cat Adoptions Include:
- Spay or neuter
- Rabies vaccination
- Current on routine vaccinations and flea and tick prevention
- Initial Felv/FIV/HW test
- Microchip
- Free health exam within 48 hours of adoption at a local participating vet
- Pet Insurance (optional post-adoption)
A “VIP” pet is a highly adoptable canine or feline that is adopted quickly, usually the same day or week that they are made available.
TLHS is currently scheduling appointments for all adoption meet and greets to provide a smoother experience for our visitors and animals. If you see an animal you’d like to meet, you can either click the email button below to schedule a visit to our facility or click ‘Apply for Adoption’ on the animal’s profile on our website.
Print your pre-adoption form!
Ready to meet your new companion? Email us to schedule a visit!
Be sure to review our adoption policy.
Adoption FAQ's
Puppies under 6 months in age are $175 and puppies over 6 months and other adult dogs vary from $100
- Spay or neuter
- Rabies vaccination
- Current on routine vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and flea and tick prevention
- Heartworm test (if over 6 months)
- Microchip
- Free health exam within 48 hours of adoption at a local participating vet
- Optional Pet Insurance (enrollment available during adoption processing)
Cat and kitten adoptions vary from $80-$100
- Spay or neuter
- Rabies vaccination
- Current on routine vaccinations and flea and tick prevention
- Initial Felv/FIV/HW test
- Microchip
- Free health exam within 48 hours of adoption at a local participating vet
- Optional Pet Insurance (enrollment available during adoption processing)
TLHS no longer allows adoption fee deposits or foster-to-adopt arrangements. We operate on a first-come, first-served basis and do not maintain waitlists. Holding an animal for a potential adopter who may not complete the process can prevent other families from adopting that pet, delaying its opportunity to find a forever home. This policy ensures fairness to all animals, giving each one the best chance to be placed quickly into a loving, permanent home, and helps us prioritize the needs of every pet in our care.
For the safety and comfort of our pets—especially cats, who can become easily stressed or frightened—it is required by TLHS adoption policy to use a secure carrier when moving your new pet from inside the shelter to your car. You may bring your own carrier or purchase one of our cardboard carriers at the shelter. This helps ensure your pet stays calm and safe during the transition home.
Adoption fees are considered a donation at the time of adoption and are non-refundable. However, if the pet is not the right fit, you may return the animal to TLHS. A return appointment must be scheduled in advance by calling 662-205-4221, ext. 1000 so we can make kennel accommodations. Pets are exchangeable within 14 days of adoption for another animal with an equal adoption fee. Please also keep in mind that many cats and dogs may need up to three months to fully adjust to a new home.
Yes! All pets adopted from TLHS are required to be spayed or neutered. This is an important part of our mission to reduce pet overpopulation and help ensure the long-term health and well-being of the animals in our community. TLHS policy requires that pets be spayed or neutered prior to finalizing any adoption. For this reason, we no longer allow intact animals to go into foster care before their procedure, which helps prevent accidental pregnancies and supports responsible pet guardianship.
Yes! All pets adopted from TLHS are microchipped prior to leaving our care. We use 24Petwatch microchips, following their acquisition of the Found Animals Registry. It is important to register your pet and microchip immediately after completing the adoption process. Registration is free and should be done under the new owner’s name and contact information; otherwise, the microchip will remain linked to TLHS.
24Petwatch offers an All-in-One Pet Protection Service for a one-time fee, which can be opted out of if you prefer. Be sure to update your contact information—such as phone number, email, and physical address—on the 24Petwatch registry whenever changes occur. Always report a lost pet to your microchip company to ensure a swift reunion.”**
For more information or to register your microchip, please visit the 24Petwatch registry by clicking here.
All of our adoptions are based on a matchmaker premise. To learn more about matchmaking, click here. We believe that a breed is not a determining factor on behavior. We will match you with a pet that is best suited for your home. All of our dogs and puppies have the possibility of going into homes with a family with children. To view our adoption policy, click here. Please check with the ordinances for your city or county as this mix can have ownership restrictions.
We have a Barn Cat Program available. Please be advised that a cat may or may not “mouse.” These cats still need to have access to food, water and shelter from the elements. We do not adopt cats under 6 months to outside homes as they are prime targets of larger predators.
Whether you can take your pet home the same day you match depends on the individual animal. All pets must be spayed or neutered before finalizing adoption. If the animal is already altered, is not heartworm positive, and is not undergoing heartworm treatment, the adoption can be completed and the pet can go home the same day.
You should have received a voucher for a free health exam from a list of participating veterinarians, which should be used within 48 hours of adoption. Be sure to bring the medical records provided at the time of adoption to your veterinarian.
For dogs and puppies, all will need to remain on heartworm prevention for life to protect against heartworm disease. Additionally, it is important to use flea and tick prevention, which helps control pests and prevent related parasites. Dogs will also need to be dewormed regularly—typically every 3 months or as advised by your veterinarian—and vaccinated as needed according to their age and health status.
For cats and kittens, it is also important to use flea and tick prevention and to keep them dewormed regularly per your veterinarian’s recommendations. Vaccinations should continue according to your cat’s age and health needs. Following these preventive care guidelines will help ensure your new companion stays healthy and happy.
What is MatchMaking?
At TLHS, we receive daily inquiries about specific breeds, with the most commonly requested including Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds, Boxers, and toy breeds such as Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, and Yorkshire Terriers. Often, people are drawn to a breed they grew up with or recently lost, saying something like, ‘I would love to have another [breed].’
It’s important to remember that each dog or cat is an individual. While breed characteristics can provide a general idea of size, energy level, or grooming needs, they do not determine temperament or behavior. For example, breeds with longer hair may require monthly—or even twice-monthly—grooming. Are you prepared to train and care for a pet that may require more time, attention, and responsibility than its appearance suggests?
When considering a new pet, think carefully about your lifestyle. Do you work long hours or live in an apartment? Are you seeking a family pet, an outdoor companion, or a guard dog? Do you have a fenced yard, young children, or other pets? These factors are critical to ensuring a successful adoption.
To help us match you with the right pet, TLHS requires potential adopters to complete a matchmaking form. Our adoption counselors carefully review this information, considering your lifestyle, home environment, and expectations. We do not place a dog or cat into a home that is not a good fit for the animal or your family.
Our goal is to create a positive experience for both adopters and pets. Once you bring your new companion home, give them time to adjust while providing consistent exercise, nutrition, and positive reinforcement. This helps support good behavior and a happy, healthy life together.
To get started with the matchmaking process, you can either reach out to a member of our adoption team via email at placement@tupeloleehumane.org or visit us in person during normal business hours to complete a matchmaking form. Our team will review your information and help connect you with the pet that best fits your lifestyle and home.
Barn Cat Program FAQ's
There is no adoption fee for barn cats.
When you bring your new barn cat home, it is important to confine them to an escape-proof room or enclosure—such as a tack room, garage, coop, or an XXL dog crate—for 2–4 weeks. This helps the cat acclimate safely to its new surroundings. During this time, provide daily food and water and clean the litter pan regularly. After the confinement period, most cats will adjust to their new environment and can be allowed to explore their designated area. You should continue providing daily food, water, and access to shelter, such as a barn, garage, or other safe space.
Yes! All barn cats adopted from TLHS are spayed or neutered. This is part of our adoption policy and an important step in preventing pet overpopulation. Spaying and neutering helps ensure that barn cats do not contribute to unwanted litters and supports the long-term health and well-being of the cats in our community.
All cats adopted from TLHS will be current on their rabies vaccination. After adoption, it is your responsibility to keep your cat’s vaccinations up to date. For feral cats, the safest and most effective way to vaccinate them is by using a humane live trap, similar to those commonly used for raccoons or possums.
No; the cats in the barn cat program are not social, friendly cats or suited to be pets. They have no desire to be “lap cats” and cannot be touched, or may take a very long time to trust enough to pet. We strongly encourage adopters to offer cats in this program an independent outdoor life complemented by appropriate care and shelter like a barn or garage.
The youngest cats in the Barn Cat Program are approximately six months old. TLHS will not adopt younger kittens as barn cats, as they don’t yet have the knowledge, size, or skills to remain safe outdoors. Most cats in the barn program are young adults between one and five years of age, though we do have younger and older cats available occasionally. If you have an age preference, just let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you!
No. The cats in the TLHS Barn Cat Program are not socialized to be friendly indoor pets or lap cats. Most have little to no desire for human contact, and while some may gradually learn to tolerate handling, it can take months or even years, and many may never become comfortable being touched.
For their safety and well-being, we strongly encourage adopters to provide these cats with an independent outdoor life, complemented by proper care and shelter such as a barn, garage, or similar protected space. Adopters should also take precautions to ensure the cats are safe from predators, traffic, and harsh weather conditions. Providing food, water, and a secure area helps maintain their health and supports their natural instincts as working or outdoor cats.
TLHS barn cats are generally not handled by visitors for safety reasons, though some may be accessible if they are located in a kennel on the adoption floor. When you schedule a barn cat adoption, our staff will select cats based on which are most eager to enter a carrier and which can be safely handled. If you have a preference for color, age, or gender, we will do our best to accommodate you, though selections depend on which cats we can safely catch first and their willingness to cooperate.
All barn cat adoptions are scheduled by appointment, as rounding up these cats can take time and extra staff to ensure their safety and minimize stress.
Sometimes, if multiple barn cats are available and manageable, adopters may have a choice in which cat they adopt. To get started and help provide a home for one of our barn cats, contact our Placement Coordinator at placement@tupeloleehumane.org.
Ready to get started?
Ready to find your new companion? Schedule a meet and greet today by emailing placement@tupeloleehumane.org or calling 662-205-4221. Thank you for helping us save lives and make a difference in our community!
Pupdates
Everyone at the Tupelo Lee Humane Society was just wonderful to work with! Megan was our adoption coordinator and she was so great at sending us photos and videos of Max while we waited for him to be released. Finally that day came and we drove almost 4 hours to get him. The facility is beautiful and full of wonderful caring people to greet us. I think they were as happy as we were that he was going to be going home with us!
We stayed in a local hotel that night just to make it a little easier and we had a blast getting to know this adorable little guy! Puppies are a challenge, and Max is definitely his own little guy, but he has been a part of our family from the first night. Our other two dogs and cats welcomed him right away and we couldn't love him more!
