Dogs & Puppies

Who can adopt

• You must be at least 22 years of age. Proof of age is required.
• We consider the whole household: children, the pets you already have, and how a particular dog would fit.
• Pets already in your home need to be current on vaccinations, unless a veterinarian has exempted them.
• We verify your address, and where you rent, your landlord’s approval. Your household also has to be within local pet limits.
• Adopters outside Albany County or outside Wyoming are considered case by case.
• A background check or a home visit may be requested.

Housing & fencing

• Many of our dogs and puppies are high-energy and require a securely fenced yard for safety, enrichment, and a placement that lasts.
• Fencing is assessed for each individual dog, so the requirement is not the same for every animal.
• Some of our dogs cannot be placed in an apartment or a home without a yard.
• All of our dogs and puppies live in foster homes, not at the Adoption Center.

How your application is reviewed

• Submitting an application starts a review. It is not first come, first served. Our priority is matching each dog with the right home.
• Review depends on volunteer availability and can take several weeks.
• An application is preliminarily approved before a meet and greet is scheduled.
• Preliminary approval does not guarantee an adoption. LAWS reserves the right to decline or pause any adoption that is not in a dog’s best interest.

Why an application may be denied

We would rather you knew now than after filling out a form. An application may be denied for:

• An incomplete application, or missing required information.
• An applicant under 22 years of age.
• A history of animal cruelty, neglect, abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, outstanding warrants, or other criminal concerns.
• False information, or information we cannot verify.
• An address, home ownership, or landlord approval we cannot verify.
• A household that would exceed local pet limits.
• Pets in the home who are not current on vaccinations without a medical exemption.
• Animal care views that differ substantially from LAWS standards.
• A home without the fencing a particular dog needs.