Adoption Services

Animal shelters, or what used to be known as pounds, are governmental or private organizations that provide temporary homes for stray, surrendered, or abandoned animals. They most often house dogs and cats. The animal is kept at the shelter until it is reclaimed by the owner, adopted by a new owner, placed with another organization, or euthanized. To learn more, please call us at 403-342-5200.

What happens when animals are not adopted?

Unfortunately, resources are seldom adequate to support the large number of animals taken in by these organizations. As a result, animals not claimed by their owners, or that have temperament or health issues (that cannot be corrected or treated within the resources of the organization) are often euthanized. Shelters that receive a disproportionate number of animals compared to available adopters may also euthanize animals because of space concerns. A small number of shelters have chosen to be "no-kill" shelters, which support healthy and adoptable pets for the remainder of their lives or until they are adopted. However, as funding is limited, the number of animals that can be accepted by these organizations can be low, and some animals may not be accepted because of behaviour or health concerns.

Are the animals in pet stores rescues too?

Yes, some people obtain their pets from pet stores. Millions of these pets are taken to shelters or abandoned when they get sick or are no longer wanted. Animal Welfare groups and volunteers are attempting to change that point of view by educating owners and potential owners about the lifelong commitment involved in adopting an animal, how to be a responsible pet owner, the large number of adoptable animals available at shelters, and about the often-poor condition of pet shop pets.