Our special hosted koi adoption events are intended to help us find suitable new forever homes for some of the large koi fish and butterfly koi entrusted to our care. An approved Koi Adoption Request is required before any hobbyist can schedule an appointment to attend one of our events. These events are scheduled approximately once every 4 – 6 weeks, and only approved hobbyists are eligible to schedule appointments to attend.
Event Locations
As a nonprofit animal rescue run entirely by volunteers, our special koi adoption events are hosted by some of our dedicated volunteers. Past events have been held within the cities of Riverside, CA 92501 and Highland, CA 92392. Beginning in January 2026, these events have been held within Victorville, CA 92392.
Koi Adoption Process
The koi adoption process is very simple. Approved hobbyists schedule an appointment to attend one of our hosted koi adoption events. Once confirmed, these hobbyists arrive on time to select the specific koi they wish to adopt. After paying a nominal rehoming fee, these selected koi are packaged by our volunteers for safe transport back home. Average appointment time is less than one hour.
Available Pond Pets
Hundreds of large koi fish and butterfly koi fish are typically made available during our events. We also also offer large pond goldfish, and adult red ear slider (RES) aquatic turtles. We also sometimes have channel catfish, bluegill, and mosquito fish available. Thanks to supporting koi professionals, we also often make a nice selection of quality tosai (one year old koi) and small butterfly koi available for purchase during our events. While these offerings are not rescues, all proceeds received help to support our mission. Sample videos of available koi are often shared via our social media.
Effective Rehoming Fees
Just like when you adopt a new puppy from your local animal shelter, a nominal rehoming fee is required for all koi adoptions completed at our events. An effective rehoming fee of just $33 USD applies to most large koi fish made available for adoption at our events. This effective rehoming fee represents the true average amount paid per fish for all large koi adopted by a hobbyist during an event after any accepted “free koi” quantity discounts. We often promote these large koi offerings for $50 each or 3 for $100 (3 koi / $100 = $33).
All koi adoptions are completed on a first come, first served basis and will not hold specific koi for any hobbyist. To help ensure a level of fairness for hobbyists having later appointment times, we also set aside a special assortment of large koi. Effective rehoming fees for these special koi offerings typically range from $50 – $150 per fish after accepted free koi quantity discounts. For example, a hobbyist who adopts a total of 5 large koi during an event while paying a total of $500 would have an effective rehoming fee of $100 per fish (5 koi / $500 = $100).
Sample Rehoming Fee Schedule:
- Large Koi & Butterfly Koi: $33 USD each*
- Special Large Koi & Butterfly Koi: $50 – $150 USD each*
- Small Koi & Butterfly Koi: $5 – $10 USD each*
- Large Pond Goldfish: $5 – $10 USD each*
- Adult Red Ear Slider (RES) Pond Turtles – FREE (approved Turtle Adoption Request required)
*Effective rehoming fee values shown after accepted “free koi” quantity discounts.
Koi Packaging
After all rehoming fees are paid, selected koi for adoption are prepared by our volunteers for safe transport back home. There is no need for hobbyists to bring their own containers.
Accepted Payment Methods
All rehoming fees must be paid in cash only. Zelle payments are also accepted from return adopters only. We do not accept credit cards, PayPal, or Venmo payments for rehoming fees.
Koi Quarantine
All koi fish complete a comprehensive quarantine process lasting several weeks before ever being made available for rehoming. Typically, most koi made available for adoption at our events have been with us for at least 6 – 8 weeks, if not several months. While these koi have remained healthy while in our care, it is not possible for any koi professional to guarantee continued koi health in the future after being relocated to a new ecosystem. Regardless of source, we strongly recommend hobbyists follow a similar koi quarantine process before adding any new koi to an established pond alongside existing fish. Visit our Koi Quarantine resource page to view our recommendations for proper koi quarantine.
Live Arrival Guarantee
While fish losses during transport are extremely rare, they can happen. For example, a fish may be lost during transport due to a bag leaking or becoming punctured. If such a loss occurs, simply alert us immediately to receive credit redeemable towards rehoming fees at our next scheduled adoption event. If you are unable to attend this next scheduled event, simply request an extension valid for rehoming fees at our following event.
Fish Losses Occurring After Adoption Date
It is not possible for any koi professional to accurately diagnose nor provide treatment for any koi once it leaves their care. We also consider accepted “free koi” quantity discounts during our events to be pro-active replacements for any possible fish losses occurring in the future. For these reasons, we do not provide free replacements for any fish losses occurring after adoption date. All koi adoptions are AS-IS and FINAL. No refunds.
14-Day Live Koi Guarantee for Return Adopters
Many hobbyists attend several of our koi adoption events each year. These valued return customers have already demonstrated their ability to provide suitable new forever homes for the large koi fish adopted during our events and we wish to support them as much as possible. We proudly offer a 14-day Live Koi Guarantee for return adopters only. Approved hobbyists who have adopted koi from us in the past who return to adopt more koi from us in the future will automatically qualify for this guarantee upon their next visit.
Policy Acceptance
Attending one of our hosted koi adoption events confirms your full understanding and acceptance of our policies. Review our Koi Adoption Policies here.
