Wags & Walks Nashville
Since 2019, we have rescued 6,800+ dogs and placed them into loving forever homes. We’d love to help you find your match!
How to Meet Our Dogs
Many of our dogs live in loving foster homes, where they receive individualized care while waiting for adoption.
Adoption Center Visits
Monday & Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday-Thursday 2:00 pm-6:00 pm
Friday-Sunday 11:00 am-4 pm
On the weekends, a selection of dogs from foster homes come in during open hours so visitors can meet them in person.
Meeting Foster Dogs
If the dog you’re interested in is in a foster home, simply submit an adoption application, and our team will coordinate a meet-and-greet.
Browse our available dogs below to get started.
Meet Dogs Looking for Loving Homes
Some dogs are available to meet at our Adoption Center, while others live in foster homes and can be met by appointment.
Our Adoption Process
Explore the dogs available for adoption. Some dogs can be met at our adoption center during open hours, while most live in foster homes. Fill out our online adoption application for the pup(s) you are most interested in.
Meet our matchmakers
Once we review your application, our adoption team will contact you. If the pup seems like a good match, we’ll schedule an interview and meet-and-greet.
Complete the adoption
If it’s a match, we’ll review medical records, complete paperwork, and help you welcome your new best friend home.
Our Requirements
Applicants must be at least 23 years of age to adopt. Please have a valid government-issued ID ready and available.
Our adoption fee will be $500 for all dogs, effective January 12, 2026. We offer a $50 training reimbursement with proof of completion when training is completed within the first six months of adoption. Dogs will be spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped.
We do not hold dogs for any reason. We cannot guarantee that the dog you are interested in on the website will still be available when you apply.
If you rent your home, apartment, or condo, please be prepared to show proof of your pet policy and disclose any breed restrictions.
All current dogs in an applicant’s home must be spayed/neutered.
All residents must meet to ensure a good match before finalizing an adoption. Resident dogs must be present to finalize for an adult dog
Adoption FAQs
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At Wags and Walks Nashville, our adoption fee reflects the high standard of care and comprehensive process we provide to ensure every dog is ready for their forever home. This fee helps cover essential expenses such as:
Veterinary care, including vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, and microchipping.
Necessary medical treatments or surgeries for dogs with special needs.
Daily care, food, and supplies while in our program.
Behavioral evaluations and training support as needed.
Transportation costs for dogs rescued from high-risk situations.
Additionally, this fee supports our ability to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome more dogs in need. We are committed to providing the best possible care for each dog, and your adoption fee directly contributes to their health, safety, and happiness, as well as our ongoing rescue efforts. Thank you for helping us save lives!
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We do! We require out-of-state adopters to travel to Nashville to meet and pick up their pup. We understand that's tricky and may be a deal-breaker for most.
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It varies depending on the dog and the amount of applications our team has to review. The first step in the process is to submit an online application, which is non-binding. After that, we'll coordinate a phone or in-person interview and set up a meet-and-greet at our Adoption Center. We are typically able to process applications within a week of completion so we advise people to apply once they know they're ready to take home that same week.
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Unfortunately, we cannot hold dogs. We plan meet-and-greets based on when the applications arrive. If you are interested in a dog, fill out the application right away. If we are having an adoption event, arrive early for the best chance to adopt. The same is true at our Adoption Center.
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We don't offer trials. As a primarily foster-based organization, we do our best to keep transitions to a minimum for the dogs. It's in their best interest to have a stable environment, and we try to avoid bouncing them around so they have consistency and routine. We offer meet and greets as the final step of the adoption process so applicants can meet and spend time with the dog of interest.
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We do not offer discounted adoption rates. We are a nonprofit organization, and our adoption fees go directly towards saving more dogs in need. We have large medical bills, training, food, and other costs that add up. Each rescued dog costs us an average of $500.
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We receive a high volume of emails daily and do our best to respond to them as quickly as we can. We will be in touch as soon as possible and aim to respond within 1-3 business days.
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If you've submitted an application within the past six months, you can email adoptnash@wagsandwalks.org stating that you've submitted an application in the past. Please be sure to note the name of the dog you'd like to potentially adopt, and one of our counselors will be in touch via email.
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Sometimes our emails go to Spam folders. Be sure to check there to make sure there's not any missed communication. If you've completed an application and haven't heard from our team after three days, you can inquire about the status at adoptnash@wagsandwalks.org.
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Unfortunately, many dogs that we save entered the shelter as strays or were surrendered by their owners with little or no information. We do our best to include any information about their history in their profile if it is known. Otherwise, we will always share information about their personalities, health, and training based on how they've done in our program.
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Yes, we microchip all of our dogs. We will send you information about adding your contact information to the microchip in your adoption details email.
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We do our best to disclose the dog's training status in their profile or during the interview process based on how they've done in the foster's home. There may be some accidents when a dog transitions to your home as they adjust to a new environment and routine. We expect adopters to extend extra patience during the first two weeks of ownership, as your dog may take some time to get accustomed to your space and schedule.
Bringing Happiness Home.
Meet Berry! This adorable 4.5-month-old, 22lb mixed-breed puppy is a playful, cuddly girl whose personality is getting bigger by the day! When Berry first arrived in foster care, she was a little timid as she adjusted to her new surroundings, but she’s blossomed into a confident, happy pup who’s ready to take on the world! Berry has a great balance of puppy playfulness and snuggly sweetness. She loves romping around with her canine friends and gets along wonderfully with other dogs, including her adult foster sibling. She’s also great with cats! When she’s not busy playing, Berry is all about cuddles and affection. This little lovebug wants to be close to her people and will happily soak up all the attention you have to give! Berry is a fast learner who’s making fantastic progress with her training. She’s doing very well with potty training and does great with a bathroom break every 3–4 hours. She also does great sleeping in her crate overnight, settling down quickly after a little initial whining! If you’re looking for a sweet, silly, social pup who will keep you laughing and fill your home with love, Berry could be your girl!