What to expect when adopting a dog from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control

More detail below:

​We recently adopted a dog from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and wanted to share our experience in case it helps anyone thinking of adopting a dog.

There are currently over 400 adoptable dogs with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.
You can view the adoptable dogs online, and when you visit there are additional dogs that have not yet made it to their website because they are newly arrived and in a waiting period to make sure their dog parents aren't looking for them, but you can pre-apply to adopt these dogs too.

 There is a good deal of information attached for each dog online and scanned with a QR code from their in-person kennels such as answers to the intake questions, and notes on the dog's behavior while at the shelter.  Bring a fully charged phone so you can check these out while there.

From the website, you'll notice that each dog will have a location that will help you to find the dog when you go visit.  
East Kennel and West Kennel refer to two different locations of Shelters.
One is in the East Valley: 2630 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Mesa, AZ 85201 (Near Mesa Riverview)
and the other in the West Valley: 2500 S 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009

In both locations, they allow for you to wander around and look at the dogs in their kennels, no need to check in up front.
The East Kennel is an older building than the West and the kennels are very close together. When we visited they had one wing of the East kennel closed.
The West Valley location is a much more spread out and newer nicer building.  When you walk in you might think you need to check in with the front desk, but they allow you to simply walk through to view the dogs.  In the West Valley location, there are a few dogs inside when you first walk in, but then there are doors that look like exit doors however if you look closer you'll realize they take you outside to multiple buildings reached housed with different dogs.  

If you find a dog you like, you go back to the counter and ask to take the dog out to play.  They will take you to a play area and bring the dog to you for some one-on-one time.  

In addition to the adoptable dogs, there are many of what they call lost dogs, these are dogs that were found on the street and are in a waiting period to see if their owner comes looking for them.  One good news story from my visit was when I watched a woman check in at the front desk inquiring about her lost dog and they had him, tears of happiness on that one.  But some of these dogs never get claimed, and you can pre-apply to adopt.  These dogs tended to be the more in-demand breeds, my guess is that there are people who are aware such as the certain breed and they go seeking certain breeds (I noticed people who looked like they knew where they were going much more than I did being my first visit there).  A few of the breeds I think I saw that were deemed "lost dogs" were golden retriever, Australian shepherd, heeler etc. 

A dog deemed adoptable you can take home the very same day.
The fees are very reasonable, $50 for a dog who has been there less than 30 days, $25 for a dog more than 30 days, $25 for a senior dog, and $150 for a puppy.
They give you a bag of dog food a collar and a leash.  The dogs come pre-microchipped so consider what name you want to name your new dog before going and they'll set it all up correctly.  

It can be an overwhelming experience for animal lovers.  Be prepared for that and know that if you adopt you are helping the situation.
Thank you for considering adopting, save and share this video.


More from Maricopa County: https://www.maricopa.gov/214/Adopt-a-Pet