Adoption Process & Fees

Adopters are welcome to visit our animal centres across the province seven days a week between 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. for in-person adoptions. We encourage visitors to arrive a minimum of 30-45 minutes before closing time to ensure that we can help you find a match and send you home with your new furry friend on the same day.

Happy dog on a leash standing in a clinic entrance, looking at the camera with tongue out.
  • Our Adoption Philosophy

    The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s adoption philosophy is to remove the barriers to adoption while conducting relationship-based, judgment-free conversations with potential adopters. Our 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. We are committed to a transparent adoption process and will ensure that all medical and behavioural knowledge about the animal is fully disclosed prior to adoption.

    A woman crouches down indoors next to a tan and grey large dog, in front of a banner, the woman is smiling while the dog licks her ear.

Steps to Adopting a Pet

  • 1

    View animals

    View animals available for adoption on our website.

  • 2

    Fill in an adopter profile

    Select the version for the type of animal you’d like to adopt.

  • 3

    Visit in person

    Bring your completed adopter profile to animal centre.

  • 4

    Adoption conversation and meet & greet

    Review the Prepare for Your Pet section below.

  • 5

    Adoption fee is paid & paperwork signed

    After this, you can bring home your new family member!

  • 1

    View animals

    View animals available for adoption on our website.

  • 2

    Fill in an adopter profile

    Select the version for the type of animal you’d like to adopt.

  • 3

    Visit in person

    Bring your completed adopter profile to animal centre.

  • 4

    Adoption conversation and meet & greet

    Review the Prepare for Your Pet section below.

  • 5

    Adoption fee is paid & paperwork signed

    After this, you can bring home your new family member!

Adoption Profile Tags

2026 Adoption Fees

Dogs and Puppies

Puppy (<5 months)$685
Dog$585
Senior Dog (8yrs+)$200

Cats and Kittens

Kitten (<5 months)$300
Cat$260
Senior Cat (10yrs+)$100
Working catAdoption fee waived, donations appreciated.

Small Animals

Rabbit$75
Small animal$26
BirdVaries depending on species

Included in Adoption Fees

Dogs/Puppies

  • Spay or neuter services
  • Vaccinations (age appropriate/up to date)
  • Rabies vaccine for all pets 4 months of age or older
  • Deworming
  • Flea treatment
  • Ear mite treatment (if needed)
  • Nail trim (if needed)
  • Microchip identification implant and tag
  • Adoption folder with your pet’s records and important adoption information
  • Adoption kit from Royal Canin, including coupons and a one-month supply of food
  • Post-adoption support from the Ontario SPCA team
Small black and white kitten on cat bed, looking at camera.

Cats/Kittens

  • Spay or neuter services
  • Vaccinations (age appropriate/up to date)
  • Rabies vaccine for all pets 4 months of age or older
  • Deworming
  • Flea treatment
  • Ear mite treatment (if needed)
  • Nail trim (if needed)
  • Microchip identification implant and tag
  • Adoption folder with your pet’s records and important adoption information
  • Adoption kit from Royal Canin, including coupons and a one-month supply of food
  • Post-adoption support from the Ontario SPCA team

Pawsitive Words From Past Adopters!

Adopting was easy and the team truly cared

"Amazing to adopt from. They care about pets finding a forever home. It was so easy to adopt. We went in looking to give a puppy a forever home. Asked us a few questions on the spot, let us meet some of the pups they had, and walked out the same day with a fur baby to add to our family. He's doing great. Will definitely adopt from the SPCA again."

Primary Ontario SPCA icon

Alysa S.

Supportive team helped us find the perfect match

"The staff were very helpful and professional. The adoption process was easy and made us feel that all our questions and concerns were important, relevant and quickly answered. Our new pet was well cared for while in their care and is an excellent match for our family. Thank you to all staff for your loving care and professionalism."

Primary Ontario SPCA icon

Fred C

Supportive staff helped our VIP dog thrive

"We loved working with the staff at the Peterborough Dog Rehabilitation Centre. They were so informative and helpful getting us ready to welcome our boy Griff home. The care they showed him really helped him to adjust to being in a family again. He is such a sweet boy who just loves cuddles and belly rubs. Don’t be afraid to adopt a VIP pet… they might take more time and patience, but it’s so worth it!"

Primary Ontario SPCA icon

Lisa R

Deep care and dedication to finding loving homes

"They truly care about the animals in their care. Staff/volunteers will go above and beyond to find the right homes for these fur babies to get the love and attention they deserve. Please help support the work they do."

Primary Ontario SPCA icon

M

Staff go the extra mile to help animals

"Hard-working staff who go the extra mile for all the animals. They were informative when asked questions that made my husband and I feel less worried about adopting a rescue. Extremely friendly and polite."

Primary Ontario SPCA icon

Debby G

Adoption FAQs

Will you take my name and number and call me if the specific animal I am looking for comes in?

Animal centres are busy places. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to maintain lists of this nature. In addition, we can’t guarantee when or if the type of animal you are specifically looking for will come into the centre. We recommend watching our adoption site for the most up-to-date information on the animals in our care across the province.

Can I make an appointment to see a specific animal?

For the best interest of the animals in our care, we do not make appointments. To minimize the stress of being in a shelter environment, we try to find loving homes for animals as quickly as possible. Adopters are welcome to visit at any time and are welcome to let us know when they are planning to visit, but we are unable to hold animals in our care for visits.

What vaccines will my adopted animal go home with?

All cats and dogs will have their first set of core vaccines and rabies vaccines when they go home. Some pocket pets will also have vaccines as well.

What vaccines will they need later on?

Many adult animals will need their yearly boosters after receiving their first set of vaccines at our animal centre. Some adults may need to have their second booster after their first vaccine. Kittens and puppies may need to have as many as two boosters after adoption.

Please speak with your veterinarian after adoption about your new furry friend’s needs. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on recommended vaccinations. Please bring your new family member’s medical record to your appointment.

  • Virtual Vet Care Anytime with Vetster

    Thanks to our partnership with Vetster, Ontario SPCA adopters get one free 24/7 online vet appointment – helping pets and their new families start off strong with virtual care from licensed veterinarians.

    Learn more
    Smiling woman in a yellow sweater hugging a beagle while working on a laptop