Animals for adoption
Explore our adoptables
Adoptions are 50% off all December! With VCA’s generous sponsorship, adoption fees for adolescent, adults, and senior cats and dogs will be covered starting Dec 7th (while supplies last).
Watch for our Patient Paw animals, they’ve been waiting for over 30 days and are available at a discounted rate!
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Join our adoptions wants-list today!
The adoptions wants-list helps find homes for animals who haven’t had an adopter come forward through our first-come, first-served system. Joining this list does not guarantee you’ll be contacted, nor does it put you on a wait list for a specific animal.
Ready to adopt a shelter animal but don’t know where to start? We have our wonderful adoptions counsellor to run you through the process in an informative video.
How to adopt an animal
All of Calgary Humane Society’s adoptable animals are available for viewing online. As you read each animal’s bio, consider which type of animal would be the best fit for your lifestyle.
In addition to information about each animal’s personality, you’ll find details of any known history, medical information and behaviour observations.
Most animals are available to view at the Calgary Humane Society but some might be in foster homes. Please check their unique bio to learn how best to schedule your visit.
Calgary Humane Society operates an Open Adoption Centre! In order to provide a positive experience for our animals and our adopters, we operate on a first come first serve adoption system and accept both walk-ins and scheduled appointments. You are welcome to come in at any time when we are open and check out our adoptable animals in person, or check our adoptable animals on our website. When you see an animal you are interested in learning more about, you can book an appointment or walk-in during business hours.
Please Note: Both appointments and walk-ins are subject to daily availability limits. While an appointment guarantees the attention of our team, walk-ins may experience wait times.
Our list of available animals changes every day, so be sure to check who is still available on the morning of your appointment. We operate on a first come, first served basis. If you have your eye on someone in particular, try to book your appointment for early in the morning, or walk-in early—if you come later in the day, animals on your list may be adopted before you get a chance to meet them.
If you have booked an appointment and are unable to attend, please let us know so we can cancel your appointment. Every no-show is a missed opportunity for an animal to be adopted. If you are experiencing issues cancelling your appointment online, please call or email the Adoptions team for assistance at (403) 205-4455, extension 6503 or adopt@calgaryhumane.ca.
Every adoption is part of a personal and unique story. We strive to meet adopters where they are in the process, and help them to be the best pet owner they can be through conversations, education, and post-adoption support.
Our conversation-based approach allows you to learn about the animals we have available and their care requirements while you’re guided through the decision making process. You’ll also have the option to place a 24 hour hold on your chosen pet or take them home that day.
We encourage you to do your research on the care and husbandry of the species you are considering bringing home. In addition, the average cost of owning a dog in Canada is $3,999 and the average cost of owning a cat is $2,542.
What’s included when you adopt with Calgary Humane Society
While each adoption package varies slightly based on species, generally all adoptions with Calgary Humane Society include:
- Spay/Neuter
- Microchip
- Up to date vaccines
- Complimentary Wellness Exam at a participating vet
- 6 week trial of pet insurance
- 6 months city licensing
- CHS membership for one year
- Royal Canin sample pack of food
- Species specific information package
- Additional resources as needed
Refund Policy: We realize that despite everyone’s best efforts, not every animal is a fit for every home. In these cases we do prefer that the animal return to us (by appointment) and if this is within 6 weeks of adoption, we will refund the adoption fee.
Adoption fees
All adult, adolescent and senior dog adoptions include one private consult.
- Puppies (under 5 months): $625 *includes 5 week Puppy Club Class
- Adolescent (5 months – 1 year): $490
- Adult (1 year – 6 years): $405
- Senior (7 years and older): $270
- Patient Paw Fee: Minimum $135 fee
Bonded dogs
- Adult Bonded Pair (1 years – 6 years): $465
- Senior Bonded Pair (7 years and older): $425
- Kittens (under 7 months): $285
- Adult (7 months – 9 years): $200
- Senior (10 years and older): $125
- Barn Cat: $40
- Patient Paw Fee: $75
- Adopt a second adult cat within 60 days of your initial adoption for a reduced fee of $110
Bonded Cats:
- Mom and Kitten: $330
- Kitten Bonded Pair (under 7 months): $450
- Adult Bonded Pair (7 months – 9 years): $300
- Senior Bonded Pair (10 years and older): $175
- Patient Paw Pair: Minimum $135 fee
- All Ages: $75
- Adopt a second rabbit within 60 days of your initial adoption for a reduced fee of $37.50
- Patient Paw Fee: $30
- Bonded Pair: $90
Rodents
- Gerbils, Hamsters, and Mice: $15
- Degus: $30
- Guinea Pigs: $35
- Hedgehogs: $100
- Chinchillas: $75
- Ferrets: $100
- Patient Paw Rodents: Choose Your Own Fee
Birds
- Budgies, Finches, and Doves: $30
- Canaries: $70
- Cockatiels & Love birds: $60
- Patient Paw Small Birds: *Prices vary
- Parakeet, Parrots, Larger Breed Birds: $150–$1200 *Prices vary
- Patient Paw Large Birds: *Prices vary
Reptiles
- Red Eared Slider Turtle: $75
- Iguana: $50–$100
- Tegu: $50–$100
- Bearded Dragon: $75
- Patient Paw Reptile: *Prices vary
- Small Snakes (Milk, Corn): $55
- Medium Snakes (Ball Pythons): $165
- Large Snakes (Boas, Rare/Uncommon Breeds): $150
- Patient Paw Snakes: $50 minimum
Fish
- *Prices vary
Farm Animals (Outside City Limits)
- Pig: $50
- Chicken/Rooster: $20
Other turtles, lizards, and exotics
- *Prices vary
*Adoption prices are subject to change
Adopting barn cats
Calgary Humane Society recognizes that not all cats are suitable for a home environment and will, under special circumstances, adopt cats to individuals wishing to provide these special cats with an opportunity to live in a rural, farm, or shop setting.
The adoption fee for barn cats is $40. Your cat will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and de-wormed prior to leaving the Calgary Humane Society.
Cats adopted to live in a rural, barn, or shop type setting must have access to food, shelter, water, regular vet care, love, and attention.
Barns or warehouses must be heated or well insulated and these cats must not be expected to fend for themselves.
The adopter will be the registered owner and must take full responsibility.
In the case of a business, Calgary Humane Society will ensure the landlord of the premises as well as the manager of the business agree on the plan to have a cat(s) on the premises.
If you are interested in adopting one or more cats to live in a rural, farm, or shop-like setting, please call (403) 205-4455 ext 6503 or email adopt@calgaryhumane.ca.
Adopting our Patient Paws
Patient Paw animals have spent a longer-than-average time in the shelter. If you want to make a bigger difference with your adoption, consider sharing your home with one of these loving animals.
You can find Patient Paws by spotting the yellow paw print on their photos online or a yellow paw tag when you visit them in the shelter.
To help our patient friends, all Patient Paws have a lowered adoption fee. Dogs have a minimum fee of $135 and other animals, including cats and rabbits, range from $30 – $75 as a minimum fee. These animals will still be spayed/neutered, have their core vaccines, be given identification (such as a microchip), and have a full medical exam before adoption.
All of our Patient Paw dogs qualify for the Patient Paw Sleepover program, which allows potential adopters to bring the dog home for up to a week to help build that connection and make sure it is a suitable fit. We will supply you with everything you need to care for the dog for the duration of their stay and support you with resources along the way. To learn more and to see if you meet all of the requirements, please contact us at (403) 205-4455 ext. 6503 or email us at adopt@calgaryhumane.ca.
Book an appointment or walk-in today!
In order to provide a positive experience for our animals and our adopters, we operate on a first come first serve adoption system and accept both walk-ins and scheduled appointments. While an appointment guarantees the attention of our team, walk-ins may experience wait times.
