Adopt

We are a foster-based rescue, which means our animals live in private foster homes rather than a physical shelter.

In the Midwest, our foster network spans the greater Cincinnati area and parts of Kentucky and Indiana. In the Northeast, our foster homes are located throughout Staten Island, the greater NYC area, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

We also partner with the PetSmart in Plainville, CT, and the PetSmart in Western Hills, Cincinnati, OH, where you can often find our adoptable cats in their in-store cat habitat.

Once you submit an application, our team begins reviewing it. We process applications in the order they’re received and only consider one application per specific animal at a time. That means if you’re the first to apply for Fido, we’ll review your application before moving on to others interested in Fido. Applications for other pets are reviewed separately in the same way.

If you apply for multiple animals, we’ll screen your application for any pets who don’t already have an application in progress. If more than one are available, we’ll proceed with your application and work with you to determine which may be the best fit.

If you apply generally (not for a specific pet), we’ll do our best to get to your application as quickly as possible. If we currently have an animal who fits your preferences or a new arrival comes into our care who seems like a good match our team may reach out right away to connect you.

Once your application is up for review, we’ll begin verifying key information. If you rent or live in a condo or co-op, we’ll confirm your building’s pet policy. If you currently have pets or have had them in the last five years, we’ll contact your veterinarian or ask for vet records to confirm they received routine care.

After that, an adoption counselor will reach out to talk with you about your lifestyle, what you’re looking for in a pet, and how you plan to care for them. If it seems like a good match, we’ll coordinate a meet-and-greet with the pet’s foster home.

As for timing: our adoption team is entirely volunteer-based and works as quickly as possible, but response times can vary based on application volume and pet availability. If no other applicants are ahead of you, you may hear back within a few days, but it can take up to two weeks. We aim to contact all applicants within 7–10 business days, and you’ll always receive an email if your application is declined.

If you haven’t heard from us and would like an update, feel free to email us at info@louieslegacy.org if inquiring about a Midwest animal and newyork@louieslegacy.org if inquiring about a Northeast Animal.

Because we’re a foster-based rescue and don’t have a physical shelter, you can’t drop by to meet animals without an appointment. The best way to meet a specific pet is to submit an adoption application. This allows our team to review your info and, if it’s a good match, coordinate a private meet-and-greet.

We also host weekly adoption events where you can meet some of our available animals in person. You can find our upcoming Midwest events here and our upcoming Northeast events here. Please check these pages for more information on upcoming events and same-day adoption requirements.

Please note: not all of our animals attend every event. If there’s a specific pet you’re hoping to meet, make sure to check our Facebook page—we post the final attendee list every Tuesday evening for the Midwest and every Wednesday evening for the Northeast.

Yes! We welcome out-of-state adopters. However, we do not provide transport for adoptable animals and do not transfer pets between our Midwest and Northeast branches. If you’re approved to adopt, you, your family, and in some cases your resident dogs must be willing and able to travel to the area where the pet is currently located to meet and finalize the adoption. We also recommend checking your state’s requirements for traveling with an animal across state lines prior to adoption.

While we’re always grateful for support from adopters near and far, we also encourage you to explore local rescues and shelters in your area—there are so many wonderful animals in need of homes everywhere!

We don’t move pets from existing foster homes for trial periods, but our Foster-to-Adopt program allows approved fosters to adopt the pet they’re caring for if it’s a good fit. Learn more about Foster-to-Adopt here.

Adoption fees vary depending on the pet’s species, age, and sometimes size or breed, as well as the cost of living in the region where the pet is located. Because we operate across multiple states, fees are not universal, but each pet’s adoption fee is clearly listed in their individual bio.

These fees help offset the cost of care each animal receives before adoption. All of our pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations, heartworm tested (for dogs), dewormed, and current on flea and tick preventatives. Any additional medical care recommended by our veterinarians is also provided prior to adoption. While the adoption fee covers only a portion of these services, it makes it possible for us to continue rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need. We know that adopting a pet is both a financial and emotional commitment, and we’re here to answer any questions you may have along the way.

Our Post-Adoptions Team is here to support you even after you’ve brought your new pet home. Whether you have questions about the transition, behavior, feeding, vet care, or anything else, we’re always happy to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re just an email away and want to make sure you and your new family member have everything you need to succeed.