Here you will find clear information about applying, meeting animals, adoption fees, bringing your new companion home and the support available after adoption.
Every animal and every household is different. Our Adoptions team is here to help you make an informed decision and feel prepared for the transition.
Looking for information about pet care, behaviour or helping a new animal settle into your home? Visit our Learn page for trusted resources and practical guidance.
If you do not find the answer you need, please contact our Adoptions team at adoptions@guelphhumane.ca.
Before You Apply
Our How to Adopt page walks you through each step, from viewing animals available for adoption and submitting an application to meeting a potential match and welcoming your new companion home.
Start by thinking about your household, daily routine and what you hope life with your new companion will look like. An animal’s age, personality, energy level, care needs and comfort with children or other animals can all help shape a successful match.
Our adoption profiles share what we have learned about each animal, including any known medical or behavioural needs and recommendations for their future home. Some animals come to GHS with limited history, and their behaviour may change as they settle into a new environment.
You do not have to make this decision alone. Our Adoptions team will answer your questions, share what we know and help you consider whether an animal’s needs may be a good fit for your household.
Some animals may have specific recommendations for their future home, such as living without other pets, joining a home with older children or participating in training.
These recommendations are informed by everything we learn about an animal. We consider their history, when it is available, and every animal is assessed by our veterinary and behaviour teams. Our care team, volunteers and foster caregivers also spend time caring for, working with and observing each animal.
At a pace that is comfortable for them, we introduce animals to a variety of people and experiences to gain as much information as we can about their personality, preferences and needs. This takes time, and some aspects of an animal’s behaviour may only become apparent once they feel comfortable and settled in a home.
The goal is to be open about what each animal may need to feel safe, comfortable and supported. These recommendations help our Adoptions team and potential adopters work together toward a positive, lasting match.
Some dogs may have training included as a requirement of their adoption. This means the adopter agrees to enrol the dog in an appropriate training program or work one-on-one with a qualified trainer after adoption.
A training requirement does not mean that a dog is “bad” or cannot be a wonderful companion. Puppies need help learning important life skills, while other dogs may benefit from additional support as they adjust to their new home.
GHS recommends choosing a trainer who uses positive, reward-based training that does not rely on fear or physical punishment. Our Adoptions team can provide a list of recommended trainers.
Visit the Learn section of our website for guidance on choosing a dog trainer.
Anyone who is 18 or older can apply to adopt from GHS. You do not need to live in Guelph or within the GHS animal services area.
Before applying, please make sure everyone in your household agrees to welcome a new animal into the home.
Any additional requirements or recommendations will be based on the individual animal’s needs, not where you live. These will be included in the animal’s adoption profile and discussed with you by our Adoptions team.
No. GHS does not place animals on hold. If you are interested in an animal, please submit an adoption application. There is no fee or commitment to apply, but an application does not reserve the animal.
Applications and Meetings
An adoption application is an expression of interest and the beginning of a conversation. There is no fee to apply and no commitment to adopt.
Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, but adoption is not automatically first come, first served. Some animals receive interest from several caring households, and more than one may have the potential to provide a wonderful home. Our team reviews each application alongside the animal’s individual needs and contacts the household that appears most closely aligned with those needs.
If we move forward with another household, the decision is not a measure of the care, commitment or kind of home you could offer. We know this can be disappointing, and we hope you will keep looking. Every animal is different, and we welcome you to apply again when another feels right for your household.
Applications are normally reviewed within two to four business days. Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an email letting you know whether it will move forward to the next step.
Please remember to check your junk or spam folder while you are waiting to hear from us.
Yes. If your application appears to be a potential match, our Adoptions team will arrange a time for you to meet the animal before making a decision.
The meeting gives you an opportunity to spend time with the animal, ask questions and learn more about their personality, routine and care needs. A member of our team will be there to support the introduction and share what we have learned.
Meeting an animal does not commit you to adopting. It is another step in the conversation and helps everyone consider whether the match feels right.
Whenever possible, everyone who will live with the animal should attend the meeting. This gives each person an opportunity to spend time with the animal, ask questions and feel comfortable with the decision.
If someone in your household cannot attend, please let our Adoptions team know when scheduling the meeting. We can talk with you about the best way to proceed based on the animal’s individual needs.
Please leave your current pets at home unless our Adoptions team has specifically arranged for you to bring them.
If you are interested in adopting a dog and already have a dog at home, our team will arrange a supervised introduction when appropriate. We will let you know when to bring your dog and what to expect.
Introductions involving cats or small animals are generally best done gradually at home. Our team can provide guidance, and you can find additional resources on our Learn page.
Adoption Fees and Bringing Your Pet Home
Adoption fees vary by animal. Our Adoption Fees page lists the current fees and explains the veterinary care and other services included with each adoption.
Before you decide to adopt, our team will review what we know about the animal’s history, health, behaviour, routine and ongoing care needs.
When the adoption is completed, you will receive the available veterinary records, including information about vaccinations, treatments, medications and any recommended follow-up care.
Every animal adopted from GHS is microchipped. We will provide the microchip information and explain how to register it and keep your contact details current.
Some animals arrive at GHS with limited history. We will always be open about what we know, as well as what may still be unknown.
Please bring a safe and secure way to transport your new pet home:
- For a dog, bring a properly fitted collar or harness and a leash.
- For a cat, rabbit or other small animal, bring a secure, appropriately sized carrier.
- For a farm animal or an animal with specialized transportation needs, our Adoptions team will discuss the arrangements with you in advance.
Our team will let you know before your appointment if the animal needs anything additional. If you are unsure what to bring, please contact us before pick-up.
You do not need to make everything perfect before your new pet arrives. Start by creating a safe, quiet space where they can rest and begin adjusting at their own pace. Have the essential food, bedding, equipment and other supplies recommended by our Adoptions team ready, and remove any potential hazards.
Our team will talk with you about the animal’s current routine, diet, medications and individual needs before you go home.
Visit the Learn section of our website for species-specific supply lists, home preparation tips and guidance for your pet’s first days with you.
Licensing requirements depend on where you live. Residents of the City of Guelph must license dogs and cats annually, while residents of Centre Wellington and Guelph/Eramosa must license dogs annually.
If your new pet requires a licence, you can purchase it from GHS when you pay your adoption fees. Every animal adopted from GHS is microchipped, but a microchip does not replace a municipal licence where one is required.
Our Licensing Your Pet page has more information about licensing requirements, fees and purchasing or renewing a licence.
After Adoption and Support
Bringing a new pet home is an adjustment, and it is normal to have questions as you get to know one another.
If you have concerns about settling in, routines or behaviour, please contact our Adoptions team. We can share guidance, recommend helpful resources or suggest when support from a qualified professional may be beneficial. Reaching out early can often make the transition easier.
You can also visit the Learn section of our website for trusted information about pet care, behaviour and helping animals adjust to a new home. For medical questions or concerns, please contact your veterinarian.
Every GHS adoption is a real adoption intended to create a lasting home. Dogs, cats and rabbits also come with a seven-day home trial, which provides a short safety net as everyone begins adjusting.
Your new pet is not expected to be fully settled within seven days. Many animals need more time to feel comfortable and show their personality. If you have questions or concerns during the first week, please contact our Adoptions team as early as possible so we can offer support.
If you decide within seven days of the adoption that the match is not right, please contact us to arrange the animal’s return. You will receive a refund of the adoption fee, less a $50 administration fee. The information you share will also help us continue supporting the animal and finding the right home.
We understand that circumstances can change. If you can no longer care for an animal adopted from GHS, please contact our Adoptions team before making other rehoming arrangements. We prefer that animals adopted from GHS return to our care so we can continue supporting them and find an appropriate new home.
Our team will talk with you about the situation and arrange a time for the animal to return. Adoption fees are not refunded after the seven-day trial.
If you are able, we welcome a donation at the time of surrender to help support the animal’s ongoing care.
We’re Here to Help
Every adoption journey is different. If you have a question that has not been answered here or would like to talk with someone about the adoption process, please email our Adoptions team at adoptions@guelphhumane.ca.
For trusted information about pet care, behaviour and helping a new animal settle into your home, visit the Learn section of our website.