Petfinder is part of Purina, a company guided by the belief that pets and people are better together. Purina and Petfinder work together to support pet adoption, animal welfare, and organizations working every day to help find pets loving homes. Since 1996, Petfinder has helped over 40 million pets find forever homes.

Petfinder FAQs: How It Works, Who We Are, and How to Get Help

Q: Is Petfinder legitimate, safe, and trustworthy to use?

Yes, Petfinder is legitimate, safe, and trustworthy. We are one of North America’s largest pet adoption communities and platforms, connecting millions of adopters with thousands of animal shelters and rescue organizations. Each organization on Petfinder must complete an application and screening process before listing pets. Adopters work directly with the shelter or rescue, but Petfinder is committed to providing a trusted platform that helps more pets find loving homes.

Q: Is Petfinder an animal shelter or rescue organization?

No, Petfinder is not an animal shelter or rescue organization. It is a platform where potential pet parents and shelters and rescues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico can connect. It’s free to use. Petfinder’s mission is to end the euthanasia of adoptable pets by providing the most successful and largest platform to share pets online.

Q: Is Petfinder free to use for adopters and for organizations?

If you are an individual interested in finding a pet on Petfinder, it is free to search and use. There are no fees to browse adoptable pets, save favorites, or contact shelters and rescues through the site. Adoption fees are determined by the individual shelter or organization, and those fees go to support the care of pets in their programs. Petfinder is also free for animal shelters and rescue organizations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Q: How does Petfinder work and how do I adopt a pet through the site?

Petfinder is first and foremost a community of animal lovers, and you are welcome! It’s also a searchable database where shelters and rescues list adoptable pets. You can browse based on location, breed, species, age, and size of a pet, and then view individual pet profiles to learn more about them. Once you decide on a new forever friend, you’ll click “Adopt Me” and be able to see the organization’s requirements and application for adoption. Each shelter or rescue handles its own application, screening, timeline, and adoption process. Petfinder does not process adoptions. If you don’t know where to start, try our pet adoption quiz. Answer a few simple questions and see which cute faces you match with in under a minute.

Q: Can I save pets and get alerts for new listings on Petfinder?

Yes, you can save pets and get alerts for new listings on Petfinder. To do so, create a Petfinder account first. Once you have an account, you’ll be able to “heart” any pet you see that you’d like to save. To get alerts for new listings, click the “bell” icon next to your search results or use the Petfinder app to create an alert.

Q: Is a pet I see on Petfinder still available to adopt?

Yes, if you see a pet on Petfinder, it is still available for adoption. Contact the individual rescue or shelter if you have further questions about the status of the pet. If the profile says “adoption pending,” the animal has an adoption application pending. Contact the shelter for more information.

Q: How often does Petfinder update its pet listings?

Petfinder does not update its pet listings; each individual shelter or rescue organization is responsible for updating pet listings and responding to applications and inquiries.

Q: How do I contact a shelter or rescue about a pet I found on Petfinder?

Each shelter will have a way to get in contact, whether through a direct email or link to its website. You should reach out to each organization directly for any pet you are interested in, and their volunteers will be able to update you on the status of the pet, the application process, fees, and more.

Q: Does contacting a shelter through Petfinder put a pet on hold?

No, contacting a shelter through Petfinder does not put a pet directly on hold. Each shelter or rescue organization has its own process, requirements, and timeline for adopting a pet. The organization will notify you directly if a pet you have requested has been put on hold in your name.

Updated: 9/17/2026

4-8 min read

About Petfinder

Is Petfinder legitimate, safe, and trustworthy to use?

Is Petfinder an animal shelter or rescue organization?

Who owns Petfinder?

Is Petfinder free to use for adopters and for organizations?

For Adopters: How to Search and Adopt on Petfinder

How does Petfinder work and how do I adopt a pet through the site?

Can I save pets and get alerts for new listings on Petfinder?

Is a pet I see on Petfinder still available to adopt?

How often does Petfinder update its pet listings?

How do I contact a shelter or rescue about a pet I found on Petfinder?

Does contacting a shelter through Petfinder put a pet on hold?

Am I applying to Petfinder or to the shelter and rescue directly?

What does "Out of Town Pet" mean on a Petfinder listing?

What does "Adoption Pending" mean on a Petfinder pet profile?

Does Petfinder ship or transport adoptable animals?

Ready to find your forever friend? Search our adoptable database here.

For Organizations: How to List Pets on Petfinder

How do I list a pet for adoption on Petfinder?

Can private individuals post or list a pet for adoption on Petfinder?

Does Petfinder list dogs from puppy mills or backyard breeders?

Click here to learn more about our operational support, registration guidance, rules of conduct, member resources, and more for our partner organizations.

Getting Help and Managing Your Account

How do I contact Petfinder support?

How do I delete my Petfinder account?

Ready to start your search? Find adoptable pets near you.