Many veterans are interested in adopting a companion pet on weekends or federal holidays, when Pets for Patriots is closed.

In addition, the California Pets For Vets Act requires public shelters to waive adoption fees for veterans. The law went into effect January 1, 2020.

We have updated our guidance to shelter partners to help with these various situations.

Pets for Patriots now offers a grace period of five business days for any program-eligible adoption that takes place on a federal holiday, weekend, or through the California Pets For Vets Act.

Our goal is to make our program benefits available to as many veterans as possible. At the same time, we will continue to honor our mission, criteria for applicants, and our responsibility to donors, partners, and supporters.

Our online shelter welcome kit includes updated guidance for administering these adoptions. In addition, there is a printer-friendly flyer to give veterans who apply to Pets for Patriots post-adoption.

Only approved shelter partners have access to these materials.

We made these changes in response to the California Pets For Vets Act. Now veterans who adopt through our California shelter partners will still be eligible for the benefits we offer – if they are subsequently approved into our program.

Is your animal welfare organization interested to join our free partner program? If you are a tax-exempt shelter, rescue, SPCA, humane society, or municipal animal control we invite you to learn more here.