Select a Province from the menu for quick & easy access to Dog Shelters and Rescue Organizations in your Area:
Note: The shelters/rescue organizations listed in this section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website are NOT breed specific. If you are looking for a rescue or shelter for a specific breed, please CLICK HERE to access the breed listings and see that particular breed's information section.
What to Look for in a Rescue/Shelter
The majority of rescue organizations / shelters found in Canada are reputable and well run; however it is important to do some research to ensure that the organization you are considering is credible. The following is a listing of some of the things that a good organization does:
The responsible rescue places the welfare and happiness of the animal first.
As a first step in the adoption process, an application form should be completed. The rescue/shelter then performs careful screening of potential adopters and verifies references — the goal being to match up the right pet with the right home.
All pets should be spayed/neutered prior to being placed and, if for any reason (ie., too young or some medical reason) spaying/neutering is not done prior to placement, this is included as a requirement within the adoption contract.
All animals ready for adoption should have been examined by a veterinarian and be up to date on vaccines.
All animals ready for adoption should have been temperament tested.
The rescue/shelter should provide full disclosure about the dog, including any medical and/or behavioural problems.
Depending on the pet to be adopted, the rescue may require that adopters participate in training classes.
The rescue/shelter should offer ongoing support to adopters.
A written adoption contract should be provided and should include all requirements/expectations including a clause stating that the pet must be returned to the rescue if the adopter decides to relinquish the pet.
Rescue organizations should be able to provide references from shelters in their area and in general should be working with those shelters.
A reputable rescue operates as a not-for-profit entity and/or registered charity.
The Canadian Animal Assistance Team is a group of Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians whose mission is to impact on the safety, health and population control of domestic animals worldwide.
A free service available to all pet owners in North America. This is an ongoing service provided by Creature Comfort Pet Emporium. A valuable service for identification and recovery of lost pets to reunite them quickly with their families, and also reduce the numbers of lost family pets flooding into shelters.
Press releases, newsletters, and web content at a discount for shelters and
animal rescues. Learn about the "Animal Writes Funding Project" here:
www.thewritecontent.com/animalwrites.html
— A poem written by Jim Willis. Warning: This poem is extremely sad and will surely bring tears to your eyes, but if you are considering adding a pet to your family, it will remind you how important a decision that is, that they deserve no less than a permanent and loving home, and that they do indeed become a member of the family.
There are thousands of dogs waiting to be adopted in animal shelters across the country. They come in all shapes and sizes, purebred and mixed-breed, young puppies and senior dogs, high-energy and laid back pooches. They all have one thing in common: they want and desperately need a second chance, a new and loving family to take them in and give them a place they can truly call "home". Read More...
— by Mary and Doug Clark, Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.
Why on earth would anyone want to adopt a rescued dog? After all, aren't they like used cars? Who wants someone else's problems? If the dog is so wonderful, why would anyone give him away? If he was a stray, why didn't someone try to find him? I'd rather buy a puppy so I know what I'm getting, and besides they're so cute!" Read More...
As society grows more conscious of animal abuse and neglect, we read nearly every day about a puppymill being closed down and the animals confiscated. Many times these animals are in deplorable physical condition: parasite-ridden, underweight, bred nearly to death. Most have rarely been out of their small, cramped cages. Read More...
Would you like to help out? Dog Rescue Organizations are always in need of donations of time, money, and materials. Have a look at this listing to see if there's anything here that you would like to do.
There are over 10 million adoptable animals entering our nation's shelters each year just waiting for a family to call their own. According to the ASPCA approximately 5-9 million of these animals are euthanized in our shelters every year due to overcrowding. Help save a life this October during "National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month"!
This article serves as a guide to all dog-owners that wish not to experience the agony and distress of having to deal with the fact that their dog is gone missing.
Additional Web Resources
Prisoners of Greed — Puppymills Breed Misery — Hundreds of thousands of puppies are raised each year in commercial kennels. They are prisoners of greed. The only way to free them from their misery is to eliminate the demand for puppies by refusing to buy a puppy in a petstore and boycotting those stores that sell puppies.
What is a Puppy Mill? — According to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA), the term "puppy mill" describes a breeding operation in which dogs are repeatedly bred for financial gain and are kept in substandard conditions. Puppy mill dogs are often confined to small cages for their entire lives and commonly suffer from various infections and parasites. A puppy mill cannot meet the needs of a dog and is a form of cruelty...Click Here to Read More — From No Puppy Mills Canada
The National Companion Animal Coalition defines a Puppy Mill as "a high-volume, sub-standard dog breeding operation, which sells purebred or mixed breed dogs, to unsuspecting buyers. Some of the characteristics common to puppy mills are:
Sub-standard health and/or environment issues;
Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization;
Sub standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or hereditary disorders;
Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigree, and/or genetic background.
Note: These conditions may also exist in small volume or single-breed establishments."
Information for the Potential Puppy or Dog Owner — If you are considering bringing a puppy or dog into your home, please also see this growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website for important information before you make your decision.
Rescue / Shelter Books:
Shelter Dogs — Brought to you by Dogwise.com — A selection of reference books on the subject of rescue dogs.
As a member of the Amazon.ca Associates Program, we are pleased to bring you this selection of Shelter/Rescue dog books:
Breed Rescue: How to Start and Run a Successful Program
All the information you need to start a breed rescue program! Learn how to get organized, find train, and manage volunteers, gain financial support, screen and place rescued dogs, more. Important reference section includes contacts, addresses, sample documents.
Bridging the Bond: The Cultural Construction of the Shelter Pet
Cast either as necessary evils or benevolent havens, animal shelters are as frequently reviled as they are revered, largely because of a dearth of information and a wealth of innuendo about what actually transpires behind their doors. Part memoir, part ethnography, Harbolt's investigation sheds valuable light on an emotional and often contentious subject by examining with compassion and equanimity the bond that exists between man and beast.
Lost and Found: Dogs, Cats, and Everyday Hereos at a Country Animal Shelter
This book has received excellent reviews..."makes you rethink what you know of pets & their humans", "A very realistic view of an animal shelter", "Required reading for all current and wannabe pet owners". Click on the title to read full reviews.
Nobody's Best Friend: Loving & Learning with Adoptive Dogs
Stories of courage and inspiration plus behavior and training tips, clues to understanding the workings of an adult canine mind. Practical information on adopting a shelter dog, too.
Rescue Rover!: 101 Ways You Can Help Abandoned Dogs
Covers almost every conceivable way to contribute to the needs of a dog rescue effort. Also contains rescue group "wishlists," breed rescue contacts and regional rescue addresses and information.
Second Chance: Living with a Rescued Dog
Invaluable advice on training, feeding, exercise, coat care, and in particular coping with behavioral problems that may arise with the rescued purebred or shelter dog.
Successful Dog Adoption
Gentle, expert guidance on how to find and adopt an exceptional canine companion. From popular author, trainer and shelter owner Sue Sternberg.
