Thank you for choosing to adopt with the Ontario SPCA. We are excited to help you find a new family member!
Adopters are welcome onsite at our Animal Centres across the Province from 11am-6pm, seven days a week, for in-person adoptions with our team of staff and volunteers. We encourage visitors to arrive 30-45 minutes before closing time to ensure that we can send you home with a new furry friend on the same day.
Our Adoption Philosophy
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society adoption philosophy is to remove the barriers to adoption while conducting relationship-based, judgement-free conversations with potential adopters. Ontario SPCA staff and volunteers focus on education, support, and resources before and after adoption to facilitate a successful placement for both the animal and the adopter.
The Ontario SPCA is committed to a transparent adoption process and will ensure that all medical and behavioural knowledge about the animal is fully disclosed prior to adoption.
What are the steps to adopting a pet?
- Visit our website (it is updated live!)
- Fill in an Adopter Profile (see links below)
- Visit in person and bring your profile!(refer to the profile links below this list) Please note there might be a wait time depending on activities in the Centre when you arrive.
- Adoption conversation and meet & greet. Please review “Adoption Prep List” below in advance.
- Adoption fee is paid and paperwork signed.
- New family member goes home!
Adoption Prep List
- If a successful match is made during your time at the Animal Center, you will be taking your new pet home the same day.
- All adopted cats MUST be transported home in a secure cat carrier and all adopted dogs MUST leave collared and leashed.
- At least one piece of ID provided at the time of adoption must be a non-expired government issued ID containing proof of address (e.g. driver license, government issued mail within 4 to 6 months , or Ontario Photo Card).
Although Ontario SPCA is open until 6pm every day, our adoptions require a minimum of 30-45 minutes to complete, so we kindly ask you plan your visit accordingly.
We also suggest reviewing the following documents pertaining to the type of animal you would like to adopt!
What to expect when adopting a:
Adoption Fees
- Dog/Puppy: $585
- Transferred Dog/Puppy: $685*
- Cats/Kitten: $260
- Senior Cat (10yrs +): $100
- Rabbit: $130 (spayed or neutered)
- Small animal: $26
- Bird: will vary depending on species
* Transferred dogs/puppies: Transferred dogs come into our care from a heartworm or kidney worm endemic area (US or Northern Ontario).
These dogs have an increased cost to care due to the testing, preventatives and treatment on occasion of heartworm, tick borne illness and kidney worm. Also, we are taking steps, through testing and preventive medication to prevent these dogs from transmitting any of these illness or parasites to the local populations.
Included in Adoption Fee:
- All adopted animals are microchipped, spayed/neutered, have received flea and worm treatment and are up-to-date on vaccinations (for kittens and puppies, their first vaccination).
- Adoption Folder with your pet’s records and important adoption information
- Adoption Kit from Royal Canin, including coupons and a sample bag of food
- Post adoption support from the Ontario SPCA team
As an adopter from the Ontario SPCA, Vetster is offering one FREE appointment for adopters. You’ll receive the code at time of adoption.
When our furry friends aren’t feeling well, advice from a veterinarian is just a click away thanks to a new partnership between the Ontario SPCA and Vetster.
Vetster is designed to complement routine veterinary care by providing 24/7 on-demand online veterinary appointments by connecting pet parents to thousands of licensed veterinarians through video chat appointments.
VIP – VERY IMPORTANT PAWS
What is a VIP Animal? These are animals in the care of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society who may need a little extra help. The program allows our Animal Behaviour Coordinators to set these buddies up for success in our animal centres using evidence based training and Fear Free® techniques in conjunction with dedicated animal care teams across the province. Animals with a VIP designation could include a puppy needing help learning new behaviours and getting acquainted to the world around them, an adolescent dog going through the terrible teens, or an adult buddy who may be unsure of new and difficult changes in their lives. Feline friends are also a part of the program, as animal centre settings can be a difficult adjustment for cats. Our teams will work towards keeping these cats comfortable and enriched, keeping their mental and physical health at the forefront, all while highlighting them through their VIP status. What does this mean for bringing home a VIP friend?
Our animal centre staff will offer a more individualized care plan, including information sheets and a training and enrichment plan that has been implemented and proven successful . Our goal is to empower new adopters to set their buddies up for a long, happy life. Some of our VIP friends will still need additional training and extra love once adopted into a home. Others may just need the relief of a comfortable and supportive environment. Very Important Paws means Very Important People and a Very Important Placement in these buddies’ lives.
