Frequently Asked Questions

Start by browsing our adoptable animals, then fill out either our dog or cat adoption application. We'll review your application and reach out within 2–3 business days to set up a meet & greet. If it's a match, we'll complete the adoption contract and collect the adoption fee.

The adoption fee is $200 for dogs and $100 for cats. Fees cover up-to-date vaccinations and preventions, spay/neuter, heartworm treatment if needed (dogs), combo testing (cats), deworming, and a microchip registered to you. If you'd like to donate more, it's gratefully accepted.

Very rarely does the adoption fee cover all of our actual costs. This is why we — and the animals — depend on donations. Many times our volunteers use money out of their own pockets because there is no other way. The fee helps offset costs, but your donation makes the real difference.

Yes. Every animal we place is spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, microchipped, and heartworm-tested (dogs) before going home. We don't skip steps.

Primarily from the Vermilion Parish Animal Control facility in Kaplan, LA — a strict rabies-control pound with no public adoption program. We also take in owner surrenders and strays from surrounding areas when capacity allows.

Many are strays picked up by animal control. Some have been seized for cruelty. Others are surrendered by their owners for various reasons — can't care for them, too big, too old, accidental litters, etc.

The Vermilion Parish pound is strictly about animal and rabies control — their mission is NOT to place pets. The only way animals will get out alive is if a rescue group agrees to take them. A pound is not a healthy environment, and puppies, kittens, or weakened animals are especially susceptible to diseases. Please get all your dogs and cats — males and females — fixed, and contact us if you need help placing animals.

You provide the home — we provide everything else. Food, crate, supplies, vet care, and a support network are all on AAVA. You commit to caring for the animal for an agreed-upon period (anywhere from a week to several months) until they're adopted. Fill out our foster application to get started.

In most cases, yes! We'll work with you to find a foster animal that's a good fit for your household. Let us know your current pets' temperaments and we'll find a match.

First, check for a microchip at any vet or shelter (it's free). Post on local lost pet Facebook groups. If the animal appears to be in danger or you can't locate the owner, contact us and we'll help assess options — though our intake capacity is limited.

Yes! We always need help walking dogs, socializing cats, cleaning kennels, and photographing animals at the Kaplan facility. Check out our Volunteer at Shelter page for more info and to sign up.

AAVA itself does not euthanize animals. However, we pull animals from a kill facility — the Kaplan Animal Control pound — so our work is directly connected to preventing euthanasia. We do our best to save as many animals as our fosters and resources allow.

Entirely by donations and adoption fees. We receive no government funding and have no paid staff — every dollar goes to animal care. Donations are 100% tax-deductible as AAVA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Our Field Feline Program focuses on community cats (feral and semi-feral) in Vermilion Parish. We trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return (TNR) community cats to reduce the stray population humanely. Friendly or socializable cats may be placed for adoption.

We have very limited intake for owner surrenders and cannot guarantee space. Please contact us first to discuss your situation. We'll do our best to help connect you with resources even if we can't take the animal directly.