Adoption Process & Fees
Adopters are welcome to visit our animal centres across the province seven days a week 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.
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Guiding Principles Steps to Adopting a Pet Adoption Fees Prepare For Your Pet Adoption FAQs
Our Adoption Philosophy
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is committed to removing barriers to adoption and placing as many companion animals as possible into permanent, responsible homes with guardians who are willing and able to meet each animal’s lifelong needs.
Through relationship-based, judgment-free conversations with potential adopters, staff and volunteers focus on education, support, and resources before and after adoption to facilitate successful placements for both animals and adopters.
Recognizing that reduced time living in a shelter supports optimal animal health and well-being, the organization works to facilitate adoptive placements both quickly and responsibly.
Our Guiding Principles
Barrier reduction: Actively remove obstacles to adoption while maintaining a responsible and thoughtful approach that prioritizes the animal's best interest.
Transparent and open communication: Share all known medical and behavioural information with potential adopters, fostering trust through honest, respectful conversation.
Placement focused approach: Seek reasons to approve adoptions rather than deny them, balancing the welfare of reduced shelter time with appropriate matches between animals and adoptive families.
Support beyond adoption: Provide ongoing guidance, education, and behavioural resources to adopters to help animals remain in their homes and adopters feel confident and supported.
Non-judgmental returns process: Handle adoption returns with understanding and support, recognizing they are a natural part of the process that can lead to better long-term outcomes.
Positive adoption experience: Ensure the adoption process is a positive, respectful, and supportive experience for animals, adopters, staff and volunteers and promotes lifelong commitment to animal welfare.
Steps to Adopting a Pet
Adoption Profile Tags
 | Dogs: Available for adoption for 30+ days Cats: Available for adoption for 60+ days |
 | Two animals that must be adopted together. |
 | Selected as a featured animal chosen at the centre manager’s/team’s discretion. |
 | Cats suitable for non-traditional homes (e.g. barns, warehouses). |
 | (Dogs 8yrs+), (Cats 10 yrs+). |
 | Animals temporarily living in a foster home while they await their forever home. |
2026 Adoption Fees
Dogs and Puppies
| Puppy (<5 months) | $685 |
| Dog | $585 |
| Senior Dog (8yrs+) | $200 |
Northwest Animal Centre Fees Below
| Puppy (<6 months) | $500 |
| Dog | $450 |
| Senior Dog (7yrs+) | $200 |
Cats and Kittens
| Kitten (<5 months) | $300 |
| Cat | $260 |
| Senior Cat (10yrs+) | $100 |
| Working cat | Adoption fee waived, donations appreciated. |
Northwest Animal Centre Fees Below
| Kitten (<6 months) | $300 |
| Cat | $200 |
| Senior Cat (7yrs+) | $100 |
| FIV+ Cat | $50 |
Small Animals
| Rabbit | $75 |
| Small animal | $26 |
| Bird | Varies depending on species |
Included in Adoption Fees
Dogs/Puppies
- Spay or neuter services
- Vaccinations (age appropriate/up to date)
- Rabies vaccine for all pets 3 months (12 weeks) 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 (*Not available at our Northwest Animal Centre location)
- Post-adoption support from our adoption team
- Thanks to our partnership with Vetster, adopters get one free 24/7 online appointment with a licensed veterinarian
- Adaptil diffuser
- Tick treatment
- Pet Valu coupon book
Cats/Kittens
- Spay or neuter services
- Vaccinations (age appropriate/up to date)
- Rabies vaccine for all pets 3 months (12 weeks) 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 (*Not available at our Northwest Animal Centre location)
- Post-adoption support from our adoption team
- Thanks to our partnership with Vetster, adopters get one free 24/7 online appointment with a licensed veterinarian
- Feliway diffuser
- Pet Valu coupon book
Prepare For Your Pet
- If a successful match is made during your time at the animal centre, 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 is required at the time of adoption and must be a non-expired government issued ID containing proof of address (e.g. driver’s license, government issued mail within the past 4 to 6 months, or Ontario Photo Card).
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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.
