Mission & Vision Our Team Volunteer Home Care Adopt Donate Contact Our Dogs ↗
Forever Homes

Adoption

Adopting a rescue animal is one of the most rewarding experiences, and at Cape Animal Protection Shelter (CAPS), we are committed to helping both pets and people find their perfect match. Our goal is not simply to find a home for every animal, but to ensure each animal is placed in a safe, loving, and suitable environment where they can thrive for life.

We understand that bringing a new pet home is a significant adjustment for both the animal and their new family. This is why we educate adopters on the "3-3-3 Rule" of rescue animals:
• 3 Days – Your new pet may feel overwhelmed, nervous, or unsure as they adjust to their new surroundings.
• 3 Weeks – Your pet begins to settle into a routine, build trust, and become more comfortable within the household.
• 3 Months – Your pet feels secure, their true personality emerges, and they become a fully integrated member of the family.

To help ensure a successful transition, CAPS offers a 4-week adoption trial period. This trial is not only for the adopter—it is also an opportunity for CAPS to ensure the placement is the right fit for both the animal and the family. During this time, our team remains available to provide guidance, support, and advice to help set everyone up for success.

When you adopt through CAPS, you are not just giving an animal a second chance—you are gaining a loyal companion while helping us continue our mission of rescuing and rehoming animals in need.

If you click here you will see the details of the dogs we have available, or even better, come down to the shelter during opening hours, meet some of the characters, do some walking, and try some Jail Breaks to find your perfect match.

A CAPS dog ready to be adopted
Ready to Get Started?

Register interest in Adoption

Click the link below to fill in our online form and start the adoption process, or give our caretakers a call to chat through your options.

Adoption Registration Form ↗

Prefer to chat first? Get in touch with us to find out more.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

See the FAQs below to find out more. Click a question to expand the answer.

I want to adopt a dog, what next?
The next step is to fill in a registration form with your full details. It's quite a detailed form, including which dog you wish to adopt and questions about your home, family, and security situation — we ask this to make sure you're prepared and a great match for the dog.
What does adoption cost?
CAPS charges a fee of $300, which covers desexing, chip updates, and documentation. Any costs after adoption are the responsibility of the new family.
Am I guaranteed to get the dog I want?
Approval depends on a number of factors, but of course we want to ensure the best match. We need to be sure of a good fit — for example, whether your fences are high enough, or whether the dog is suited to children, elderly family members, or other dogs and pets in the home. We may suggest a different dog if we think it would be a better fit.
What happens if more than one family wants a dog?
This can happen, especially with new or younger dogs. In this case, we give everyone interested a period of time to submit an application, and we select the home we think the dog is most likely to thrive in. This can sometimes be disappointing, but our priority is the dog's long-term safety and wellbeing.
Can I bring the dog back if it doesn't work out?
Adopting is a big step, and we strongly encourage you to try a Jail Break or some Fostering, and think about your future plans, before committing — being returned to the kennels or passed to another family can be very distressing for a dog.
I'm new to owning a dog, how will I know what to do?
Every dog is different, and there's a lot to learn about diet, exercise, and getting along with other dogs and people. Our team is here to help with training and advice, but the best way to get to know a dog is to spend time with them first through a Jail Break or Fostering.