Adoption Process
Part of our programming at AARCS includes finding our rescued animals loving, forever homes. We want to ensure that the animal you wish to adopt is well-suited for you, your family, your home, and your lifestyle.
Many of our animals are located in foster homes in Calgary, Edmonton and surrounding areas. By placing animals in foster care we get to know the animals in a home environment and begin teaching them how to be a family pet. This includes house-training, walking on leash, crate training, and interacting with kids, other pets and people. Some of our cats are located in pet stores.
We ask that you apply only when you are ready to take home a new pet within one week. We do not hold animals. Please be prepared for your new pet with food, a bed, toys, and bowls, before you bring them home.
Please note that animals in our care have uncertain pasts. We do our best to guess at age, breed, and size, but we can never be certain. We also cannot guarantee future health or temperament.
Adoption Procedures
Adoption
Fees
Adoption
Policies
Adoption Procedures
Expand the Box Below for Information
Click Here to View Adoption Procedures
STEP 1 · Adoption Application
Complete the adoption application at the bottom of the animal’s profile, or on our adoption application page. For pet store cats, please ensure you get the animal’s name and AARCS ID from the pet store as the animal may not be listed on our website.
- Use this form for cats: Cat Adoption Application
- Use this form for dogs: Dog Adoption Application
- Use this form for critters: Critter Adoption Application
If you have any issues with our online forms, please contact the appropriate Adoption Team:
- Dogs: adoptions@aarcs.ca
- Cats: catadoptions@aarcs.ca
- Critters: critteradoptions@aarcs.ca
STEP 2 · Application Review
An adoption coordinator will review your application and email you within 24-48 hours to arrange an over-the-phone adoption call before meeting the animal. The team will share with you the history of the animal as well as any known medical care required. For pet store cats, although we hope to expedite our pet store adoptions, we may not have an adoption team member available while you are at the store.
*Please check your spam folder if you haven’t heard from us – we will always reply!
STEP 3 · Application Approval
Following the adoption phone call, we will have the foster family contact you within 48 hours to arrange a meet and greet. We ask that these meetings be arranged as soon as possible, and no later than the upcoming weekend.
For dog meet and greets: If you have another dog in the home, we recommend arranging a neutral location where the dogs can meet.
STEP 4 · Waiting Period (Dogs Only)
Once you have met the dog/puppy you would like to potentially adopt, we ask that you take a day to think about it. Discuss the adoption openly and fully with all members of the household. Ensure that the dog matches what your family is looking for. If after this time you feel the animal is the right match, please contact the adoption coordinator no later than 24 hours after the meeting.
We will waive the waiting period for out-of-town adoptions on a case-by-case basis but still ask that you leave the foster family for a minimum of one hour to discuss with your household, process the adoption application, and give the foster family a chance to say goodbye.
STEP 5 · Finalizing Adoption
If you, the adoption team, and foster family are in favour of the adoption match, you can take home your new family member or arrange a mutually beneficial time within one week.
At the time of adoption, you will be provided with an adoption package, including a small bag of the Hills Science Diet food that we feed while in care (except for critters.)
For cats, please come prepared with an appropriate pet carrier if you wish to complete a same-day adoption, or you can purchase one in-store for pet store cats.
In all cases, the adoption agreement and adoption fees must be paid before the animal is released. The agreement form and payment processing are available online and both are mobile friendly.
Adoption Fees
Adoption fees are used to help cover a small portion of the cost of care, including food, training, supplies and veterinary services for each animal, and these fees allow us to continue to rescue more animals in need. Adoption fees are non-refundable as processing adoptions and adoption returns take time and resources.
From April 11 – 30, 2025, adoption fees are REDUCED!
Adult dogs: $200 | Adult cats: $75 | Rabbits: $50 | Guinea Pigs: $15
- Puppy 6 Months and Younger – $550
- Dog 7 Months and Older – $200* (regular $425)
- Dog 8 Years and Older – $100
*Promotional fee valid April 11 – 30, 2025
- Kitten 6 Months and Younger – $200
- Cat 7 Months and Older – $75* (regular $100)
- Cat 8 Years and Older – $60
- Bonded Pair of Kittens 6 Months and Younger – $350
- Bonded Pair of Cats 7 Months and Older – $150
*Promotional fee valid April 11 – 30, 2025
Critter adoption fees vary based on the type of animal, including but not limited to Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Skinny Pigs. Adoption fees vary from $20 – $250 and the applicable fee will be listed in each critter’s profile.
From April 11 – 30, 2025, all Rabbits have an adoption fee of $50 and all Guinea Pigs have an adoption fee of $15.
Dog Adoption Fees
- Puppy 2-6 months: $550
- Dog 7+ months: $200* (regular $425)
- Dog 8+ years: $100
Cat Adoption Fees
- Kitten 2-6 months: $200
- Cat 7+ months: $75* (regular $100)
- Cat 8+ years: $60
- Bonded Pair of Kittens 2-6 months: $350
- Bonded Pair of Cats 7+ months: $150
Barn Cat Adoption Fees
Barn cats are available for adoption by donation. As a non-profit organization, we appreciate a donation to cover the cost of caring for these cats as well as providing spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and tattoos. Our cost averages $200 per cat, and we suggest a nominal adoption fee of $25-$100. Learn more.
Critter Adoption Fees
Critter adoption fees vary based on the type of animal, including but not limited to Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Skinny Pigs. Adoption fees vary from $20 – $250 and the applicable fee will be listed in each critter’s profile. April 11 – 30, 2025, all Rabbit adoption fees are $50* and all Guinea Pig adoption fees are $15*.
*Promotional fees apply April 11 – 30, 2025.
Adoption Policies
SPAY / NEUTER POLICY
All of AARCS’ cats, dogs and rabbits are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. This cost is included in our adoption fee.
Other critters may not be spayed or neutered due to the high risks of surgery.
VACCINATIONS & DEWORMING
AARCS provides scheduled vaccinations for all animals while in our care. The adoptive family is responsible for vaccinations and any ongoing veterinary care that becomes due after the adoption is completed. The timing for the next scheduled vaccines will be included in the provided medical records.
RENTERS AND CONDOMINIUM RESIDENTS
Renters/Condo owners need to confirm with their landlord/condo board that they are allowed a pet and check if there are any restrictions including size, specific dog breeds and pet-related damage deposits. Please keep in mind that adoption fees are non-refundable, and it is your responsibility to ensure you are fulfilling your tenancy agreement.
ANIMALS AS GIFTS
We do not adopt animals as gifts for someone else. All members of the household must be in favour of the adoption.
ADOPTION AREA
We require that adoptive families come to us to meet with the animals in person. Most animals are located in the Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta areas. We do not facilitate adoptions outside of Canada, and will not ship animals.
SAME-DAY ADOPTIONS
We allow for same-day adoptions for cats and critters, but do require that you come prepared, including having a carrier, should you wish to take your new pet home the same day. For dogs, we ask that the family take time after the meet and greet to consider if it is the right fit and to prepare for your new addition. At the discretion of the dog adoption team, we may agree to a same-day adoption. This may be appropriate for someone driving more than one hour to meet a dog. All parties must still be in favour of the adoption, including the adoption team, the foster family and the prospective adoptive family.
RETURNING A PET
AARCS accepts all adoption returns barring unusual circumstances. Returns cannot be dropped off at the shelter unannounced and need to be coordinated through a member of our team. If you need to return a pet adopted from AARCS, please fill out the appropriate intake request form here. Please note that sometimes the placement of a returning animal may take several weeks to accommodate depending on shelter/foster space and the individual needs of a returning animal. We understand that adoptions do not always work out and do not automatically disqualify anyone who re-homes an animal from adopting in the future. We encourage adopters to reach out for help if they are having any issues with their newly adopted pet as we can often assist by recommending resources for training and offering advice.
Resources for Adopters
Dog Behaviour Resources
Whether you’re a proud AARCS adopter or considering adding a rescue dog to your family, our Dog Behaviour Resources are here to help! From basic training tips and fun enrichment activities to tackling reactivity and beyond, our certified behaviour staff have compiled expert advice to support you and your dog.
Stay tuned for cat and critter resources!
Department Contacts
Dog Program
Tami Rambow
Dog Program Coordinator
Kim Sutherland
Dog Shelter Coordinator
Jen Coghlan + Patrick Chu
Animal Behaviour Coordinators
Judy Bergevin
Dog Adoption Coordinator
Cat Program
Brianna Ellchuk
Cat Shelter Supervisor
Teal Knox
Cat Shelter Operations
Sam Ruttan
Cat Foster Home Coordinator
Cat Adoption Coordinators
