Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC) says it is in dire need of adopters and fosters as it declares a Code Red at its shelters, saying its facing one of the highest population surges in its history. Across both its Northside shelters and foster homes, CAC is currently caring for 738 animals.
“We simply cannot continue at this pace without more animals leaving the shelter than coming in,” Meaghan Colville, the shelter director at CAC, said in a press release. “Year over year, since taking over animal services in 2020, our intake numbers have risen. We need adoptions. We need fosters. We need our community.”
Here are the current adoption fees at CAC:
- Dogs (6 months and older: $75
- Puppies (2-6 months): $200
- Cats (6 months and older): $40
- Kittens (a pair, because kittens do better with a buddy): $60
Adoption fees include the animal’s spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and a microchip. CAC says its adoption fees are designed to make pet ownership accessible. It also has a “Foster to Adopt” program, where potential adopters can take home an adult dog (6 months or older) for a “trial run” of 48 hours and up to seven days before finalizing the adoption.
You don’t need an appointment to visit the shelters, and same-day adoptions are standard. The shelters are open for adoptions seven days a week from 1-6 p.m. Visit the Main Shelter location (3949 Colerain Ave., Northside) to adopt a dog, and the Dane Avenue location (4210 Dane Ave., Northside) to adopt a cat.
“There’s an animal here for everyone,” added Colville. “Whether you’re looking for a hiking buddy, a couch potato, a playful kitten, or a mellow senior cat — we’ve got them, and they need you now more than ever.”
If you’re unable or unready to adopt, CAC says you can still help by fostering, donating, volunteering and even just sharing the shelter’s social media posts. You can also use its Finder to Foster program if you find a stray animal. If you find a stray, you can keep it safe in your home and keep space open at the shelters. Options include keeping the pet on your own with no involvement beyond completing the report, receiving support from CARE for short-term holding and reuniting efforts and becoming a foster in the shelter’s system with full veterinary care and shelter resources.
Learn more about Cincinnati Animal CARE and see adoptable pets at cincinnatianimalcare.org.
This article appears in May 14-27, 2025.
