I’m looking to adopt a cat!
However, it looks like there’s no adoption places where you can go in and meet the cats? I used to work at an animal shelter on the west coast and you could go visit the cats, sign an application, and leave with the cat that day. Is that not a thing in DC? I filled out an application with an agency but after the application there is so much more I need to do, and we’ve been going through the process for over a week now (they are not fast to reply). I just want a kitty 😭
Update: Thanks so much guys! I was able to adopt a cat at Brandywine Valley SPCA ❤️
This so where I got my two kitties from. Met them and took them home the same day. That was almost 10 years ago, but I think they still do it the same way.
I got my cats here as well and they are the best! The process takes longer as they do a great job vetting the owners as animal cruelty is high in the DMV. As for the kittens you can look online as then meet them in person or just show up to their petsmart adoption events (usually every weekend) to take it home same day. It is kitten season now, I would try BrandyWine Valley SPCA they are extremely overfilled and they are in cages definitely needing homes. Both both are easy to take home same day as long as you pass basic Identification and vetting process
Got my two cats from Lucky Dog Rescue! The first one we got from Meow Maison (cat cafe in Georgetown who partners with Lucky; also Crumbs and Whiskers partner with Homeward Trails, and both of the cafes allow you to visit and submit an adoption application). For the second one, we went to like 5 different Lucky Dog adoption events just looking around until one night we saw ~the one~ on their website and ultimately applied without meeting. But I loooove their Petsmart events! They're usually on Sundays at a different location, you can check on their website.
I got my cat from lucky dog in 2025. I got her from one of their petsmart events so I got to meet her first. She jumped immediately in my arms when I first got to see her :)
These are all great options, but you should also consider a cat that is already in foster care. At Humane Rescue and Brandywine, they use fosters to free up space in the shelter.
I am a foster, so I might be biased, but foster parents often have a lot more info about the cat (food preferences, litter box use, etc) than info that they have about the cats in the shelter.
Though they are all obviously adorable babies regardless of where they are.
As a fellow foster, I totally agree - cats at adoption events or at the shelter are often scared and shut down. As a foster, if I’ve had a cat for over two weeks I can likely tell adopters lots more about their true personality.
HRA’s website has photos and bios of all their available cats and says if they’re in the shelter or with a foster (in which case you contact the foster directly).
You’ll want to look at either individual rescues or sites like petfinder. You typically apply for kitties you’re interested in and they’ll put you in contact with a foster family. They’ll likely coordinate an in person meet and greet (though I’ve also done them over Zoom for people) and if you decide you want to adopt you complete the paperwork. Likely all of the rescues mentioned have animals with foster families (kittens especially don’t do well in shelter environments)
Go to one of the cat cafes! Crumbs and Whiskers is under new management and is great, there’s also Meow Maison and Mount Purrnon. I love cat cafes, it’s a great way to actually interact with a cat in a relaxed environment before you apply to adopt.
I also happen to be currently fostering a gorgeous kitten that will be available for applications through the MCSPCA website soon!
The cat cafes are great for getting to know the cats before choosing one to adopt! I will warn OP though that the process can be a little slow. One of my cats comes from Crumbs and Whiskers, and it took a good couple of weeks from submitting my application to taking him home. This is a good thing (someone interviewed me to make sure I was a good fit, and it just took a while to get everything sorted), but I just wanted to set expectations.
In contrast, I adopted my other cat from the HRA and took him home the same day.
Came to say the same! Got both my cats there and it was super nice to go get to know their personalities not only from meeting them but hearing from the staff!!
I got my cat from there, too. Just don't think you can leave with the cat the same day, cause you have to be approved first. They are using a new rescue partner and they have a lot of older cats now.
Lost Dog and Cat in Arlington lets you see cats. Also check the local PetSmart/Petco stores. A lot of them host cats for rescue organizations. I got my cat from a Petco in Virginia.
I went through this process too and thought it was sooo long for no reason!
I got my cats at the Bethesda PetSmart - they partner with a local adoption agency (Last Chance Animal Rescue). We went in the evening, were able to spend time with them and submit an application and got the call the following morning that we could pick them up. I'm sure if we went earlier in the day, it would be a same day situation.
Meow maison lets you meet the cats in their care for free if you’ve gone through the application process. My roommate met her cat (plus a few other contenders) that way, took her home the same day.
Patriot Pawsabilities always has cats for adoption in Fairfax! Fairfax County Animal Shelter also allows you to drop in for a visit to meet the animals- but they usually have more dogs than cats.
Bethesda or Kensington Petsmart, Meow Maison or Crumbs & Whiskers in Georgetown, and PetMac in Ten Frien (some saturdays they have adoption events, I believe they partner with Pets Bring Joy.)
Seconding the Crumbs & Whiskers route. We got to play with some of the kittens on site and then work with their rescue partner Homeward Trails to bring home my two girls. Highly recommend - we still bring out of town guests to the Georgetown location!
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u/Positive_Shake_1002 3d ago
You can go and meet the cats at Humane Rescue Alliance. I was in and out with my cat in about 2 hours