Ethan BrownLast month, our youngest sibling left to work abroad, and my mom is now going to be alone in the house. Of course, she can’t be left to fend for herself without some company, so she decided to have a four-legged companion to keep her busy.
Now, you might think finding a furry friend would be easy, but oh no, we quickly learnt that this is serious business. And, it turns out, Ottawa has some of the best animal shelters around to help with making the purrfect match!
So, after checking out quite a few places and meeting a bunch of adorable dogs and cats, I’ve put together a list of those animal shelters in Ottawa that we visited and loved (and probably left our hearts with). Go check them out!
How much does it cost to adopt animals from animal shelters in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, adoption fees for animals from shelters typically range from $100 to $300.
This amount usually covers the cost of vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and basic veterinary care for the animal’s health and well-being.
1. Ottawa Humane Society
Address: 245 W Hunt Club Rd.
Phone: +1 613 725 3166
Business Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 12 PM to 7 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
When we visited the Ottawa Humane Society, we were thoroughly impressed by their extensive services. One of the standouts is their animal adoption services, which include cats, dogs, and other small animals.
We were able to witness how accommodating and friendly the staff were as they guided us through their various programs. This includes veterinary care, dog training, pet first aid, and even webinars to help pet owners provide the best care for their pets.
Aside from the facility’s clean environment, they also won us over with their Child and Youth Programs, which include humane education, birthday parties, and pet-sitting courses—a fantastic way to engage younger animal lovers.
Additionally, their wellness clinic and mobile spay/neuter services make essential pet care more accessible.
We just have to express concerns about the high volume of marketing materials, such as emails, phone calls, and texts encouraging donations. Although these efforts support their mission of helping homeless animals, we find it overwhelming.
Finally, a few people mentioned that the adoption process could drag on a bit, taking longer than they had anticipated, so we hope they can improve on this matter.
Friendly and helpful staff
“Hands or paws down this is the best place to find a new best friend, or if you just want a cute cuddle fix OHS has got you covered. Staff are super friendly and helpful plus there is a store with everything you need.”
-Kristen Cayen, Google Review
Clean facility, friendly staff
“I adopted my cute little rabbit Kallie over a week ago. The facility is clean, the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Staff was always there to respond to my questions. Thank you so much for my new best friend :)”
-Amélie Noël-LeBlanc, Google Review
2. Furry Tales Cat Rescue
Address: Serving Ottawa area
Phone: [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 7 AM to 4 PM
Furry Tales Cat Rescue is a 100% volunteer-run, not-for-profit charity. From what we’ve seen, it’s clear that their dedication has saved countless feline lives, especially those older, middle-aged, and at risk in the pound system.
We like how their adoption process is laid out on their website and in conversations—sure, it’s thorough, but it’s reassuringly efficient.
Another plus is the veterinary care they provide, including spaying, neutering, microchipping, and vaccinations. They even tackle complex medical needs like dental surgeries and thyroid disease in senior cats, making sure that each one is ready for a forever home.
They also offer a free spay for mother cats if you bring in unexpected kittens!
Furthermore, we spoke with volunteers who praised the comprehensive training they received, highlighting how equipped they felt to handle the cats properly. By the way, these volunteers were great, offering a friendly and knowledgeable atmosphere that left a positive mark on us.
However, we think there’s room for improvement in updating the list of cats under the adoption process. It would help potential adopters know right away if their desired cat is still available.
Exceptional care and dedication
“Furry Tales is an amazing rescue. Every cat and kitten matters and is cared for with gold star treatment. Donna and her team go above and beyond to ensure these kitties who often arrive sick, hungry and stressed receive the best vet care, feel loved and find their perfect forever family. I am grateful to be a part of such an amazing rescue. Bravo to the entire team who works so hard to give these babies a new second start. 💕🐈”
-Shelley Funk, Google Review
Fantastic support and responsiveness
“Donna and her team at Furry Tales are fantastic! We adopted our two lovely girls in January, and our experience was wonderful. Donna has also provided very helpful advice since then, always responding within minutes. Their foster mum Lynn was also lovely to deal with! The work this organization does, and the number of lives saved, is a blessing.”
-Pamela Cogan, Google Review
3. Paws for Cause Animal Rescue
Address: Serving Ottawa area
Phone: [email protected]
Business Hours:
Paws for Cause Animal Rescue is all about rescue and adoption, but they go the extra mile with advocacy and education for volunteers, owners, and soon-to-be owners.
Going over their website, each animal for adoption is listed and marked if they’re available or not yet available—really helpful! We also noticed the comprehensive adoption process on their website—it’s clear, straightforward, and easy to understand.
Now, when we dropped by a foster home, we liked how well-maintained and clean the dog’s space was at their house. We were happy to see how comfortable the dog was!
Furthermore, we commend the variety of their programmes—they offer a lot of support and resources to help new owners. Whether you’re planning to adopt or foster, there’s tonnes of information and guidance available.
However, it comes to our attention that their main point of contact is through email. Given this, we experienced some delays in their responses, probably because everyone’s enquiries go through the same channel.
Dedicated and loving foster care
“Paws for a Cause Animal Rescue is a wonderful organization! Marie pours her heart into caring for her rescue cats while also balancing a full-time job. The cats are nurtured in a loving foster home, receiving excellent care. Marie is incredibly transparent and honest throughout the adoption process, making it a truly fantastic experience. Highly recommend!”
-Heidi von Huene, Google Review
Life-changing rescue involvement
“There’s so much to say about this little rescue organization. It’s changed our lives. We are absolutely privileged to be fostering dogs, helping them through their trauma and then, when ready, finding a loving new home. Marie and her team are the best! The love and care they have for each and every pet is evident every day. We’ve been fostering for a few years now, and will continue for many more because we know that Paws for Cause really makes a difference in the lives of unwanted pets.”
-Sally Tibbits, Google Review
4. Freedom Dog Rescue
Address: Serving Ottawa and nearby areas
Phone: [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Freedom Dog Rescue is an all-based, all-size foster-based rescue facility, meaning the dogs get to live in a loving home environment rather than a cold kennel. The team here is truly dedicated to rescuing homeless, abandoned dogs, or even those that owners can no longer care for.
When we got in touch with them, they explained to us their adoption process, which we found seamless and straightforward. Many of their previous adopters echoed this sentiment, but we did hear a couple of complaints about the process being a bit lengthy.
Nevertheless, their commitment to thoroughly vetting homes for the dogs speaks volumes about their priorities.
Also, we were happy with the Palliative Care programs they offer, particularly designed for dogs in their final days. This thoughtful initiative showcases their deep commitment to every animal’s well-being.
Additionally, fundraising events are a big part of their operation and help them cater to dog’s needs. They even host events like the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend and even sell merch to aid their cause.
Exceptional pup care and commitment
“What an amazing organization! They really take the time to ensure their pups are taken care of while they are being fostered and long after they get adopted. If you’re looking to take home a pup, please consider getting one from them or at least donating to their cause.”
-Karen PB, Google Review
Smooth and friendly adoption process
“We adopted our dogs a bit over a year ago. I had never adopted from a rescue before so at first I was a little afraid that the process looked long and intense. However, the whole process went smoothly and faster than we expected. The foster parents were friendly and had great communication. We were very pleased with our experience.”
-Sophie Guilbault, Google Review
5. Ottawa Dog Rescue
Address: Serving Ottawa and Grenville United Counties and nearby areas
Phone: https://otowndogrescue.com/send-us-email/
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 10 PM
Ottawa Dog Rescue is a volunteer-run organisation that focuses entirely on fostering and adopting programmes. We noted how carefully they screen potential adopters to make sure that each dog goes to a well-matched, permanent, and loving home.
One of their commendable initiatives is their Surrender Program, where pet owners are provided with guidance and assistance in rehoming through their network. We appreciate how dogs are responsibly placed rather than simply abandoned at shelters!
Beyond their rescue efforts, they’re also keen on educating the public. They actively promote the importance of spaying/neutering, positive behaviour training, good canine nutrition, and awareness of preventing animal cruelty.
Another thing worth praising is their website. It’s thoughtfully designed with clear information regarding the adoption process and the dogs available for adoption.
On the downside, some previous adopters have mentioned delays in meeting their target pets. Since Ottawa Dog Rescue is foster-based, factors such as the location of the foster home and the availability of the foster family contributed to these delays.
Thorough matching process
“What an amazing organization. We adopted our new dog Frankie. The process was detailed and I appreciate that. Not just finding a home but finding the right home and the right match.
Everyone we worked with was really nice and professional. Answered all of our questions and was honest so we know what we were signing up for. Can’t thank you all enough!”
-Shaun Lafrance, Google Review
Amazing adoption process
“Adopted our girl just over two years ago and we couldn’t be happier! The process was amazing and the people we dealt with and foster family were all great. I can’t believe some of these negative reviews. I just have to laugh at people taking time out of their day to spread negativity about a dog rescue when they aren’t chosen as a potential match. Bitter and sad people. I’m glad the process is thorough in order to weed out selfish people like that. My experience was great and have already recommended ODR to many friends and family members looking to adopt. Keep up the great work!”
-Matteo Petti, Google Review
