Our Mission
Since 1946, Nashville Humane Association has been a safe haven for at-risk, homeless and adoptable pets. NHA is a family of almost 60 staff and board members, along with hundreds of fosters, contributors, volunteers, and active supporters all dedicated to our mission of saving lives.
Nashville Humane Association is committed to finding responsible homes, controlling pet overpopulation, and promoting the humane treatment of animals, all while supporting pets and pet-families in our community.
About Us
As an entirely gift-based not-for-profit, Nashville Humane relies on contributions from supporters like you to do the work necessary to protect homeless, adoptable, and at-risk pets in Nashville, throughout middle Tennessee and across the globe.
Simply put, weâve been doing this a very long time. None of the amazing work that we perform daily for pets and their people would be possible without your support. Weâre not a government agency; we donât have the support of a giant national umbrella organization. Weâre a small, local shelter that is dedicated to saving lives.
Itâs because of your support that we will continue to rescue pets from hoarding cases, neglect and abuse cases, and puppy mills. Itâs because of your support that weâre able to provide disaster relief, and support urban and rural animal shelters and rescues. And, itâs because of your support that we will save thousands and thousands of lives every year, with a 99% save rate.
Voted Nashvilleâs âFavorite Place to Adoptâ year-over-year as well as our cityâs favorite charity events, award-winning programming, and so much more. We do it all for you. We are your neighborhood shelter. We are Nashville Humane Association.
Weâre so excited that youâre considering adopting from Nashville Humane Association. Weâre located at 213 Oceola Ave in West Nashville, near the intersection of White Bridge Road and Charlotte Pike, and are open from 10AM until 5PM TUE through SUN (closed Mondays). Weâre also closed every TUE-THUR from 12-1PM for âQuiet Hour.â As a quick heads up, our adoption process takes about an hour, and all adoptions must be finalized on-site at the shelter, so if youâre planning to visit and adopt, be sure to make accommodations for time.
Adoption Requirements
Be 18 years of age or older
A picture I.D. showing your present address
The knowledge and consent of your landlord (if applicable)
Ability to spend time/money necessary to provide training, medical treatment, and proper care for a pet
IMPORTANT: The Nashville Humane Association reserves the right to refuse adoption to anyone. No animal will be adopted to prospective owners who mislead or fail to provide accurate information on the application.
As Nashvilleâs FAVORITE shelter, we adopt thousands of pets annually. You are able to come and visit and adopt from our facility in the same day. To adopt, from Nashville Humane you must follow our adoption process.
1. View a Petâs Page to Learn More
Right now you can take a look at every pet that is currently available for adoption. View Adoptable Dogs. View Adoptable Cats. Our Adoption Pages are updated every hour, so the pets you see online are the pets that are currently available for adoption.
2. Come to Nashville Humane
Once youâre ready to start the adoption process or see someone(s) online youâd like to visit, youâll want to come to the shelter. Weâre located at 213 Oceola Avenue, TUE through SUN from 10AM until 5PM (closed Mondays, and closed Tue-Thur 12-1pm for Quiet Hour). If you are planning on adopting, you should plan to budget about an hour of time into your schedule.
3. Visit With Our Pets
If a petâs location is currently listed on the website as âAvailable in Fosterâ, that means theyâre currently living in one of our foster homes. If youâd like to learn more, or schedule a meet-and-greet, youâll just coordinate that through our Pet Services Team by emailing adoption@nashvillehumane.org
Any pet that is currently listed on the website as âAvailable In Shelterâ will be available for you to meet and spend time with when you visit the shelter.
4. Apply for Adoption
After youâve come to Nashville Humane. Spent time with some pets. Our adoption counselors agree that itâs a good match, then itâs time to finalize that adoption! Youâre going to fill out an adoption application in the shelter (or you can fill one out online in advance to save yourself a few minutes at the shelter. Note: completing an application online does not âreserveâ a pet for you).
A member of our Pet Services team will review your application. Once youâre approved, then youâll complete payment of the adoption fee. Review and sign our adoption contract. And you and your new forever best friend will be on your merry way!
