Pet Adoption

Why adopt?

Choosing a pet is a life-changing decision. There are many benefits to adopting an animal and adding a furry friend into your life. Oshawa Animal Services makes every effort to reunite all lost pets with their owners. However, if this is not possible, we find their forever homes.

Happy Endings and new beginnings: Adoption saves lives

We take pride in our adoption program. We can do this because of our wonderful adopters and community support. Adopting a pet means it gives that pet a brighter future. You also create shelter space for another animal.

Oshawa Animal Services will continue to support you after your adoption. We are always a phone call away for any questions or concerns. Your adoption package contains any history we have on your new adopted pet. Most of our animals are strays, so we often have very little information, but anything we do know we will provide.

Under provincial statues we must hold stray animals for 72 hours (three days) to let an owner come forward. If an owner does not step forward, the animal becomes available for adoption. All animals are veterinarian checked for any health conditions. In addition, all cats and dogs are spayed or neutered before adoption and receive first shots, rabies vaccine, deworming, flea treatment and a microchip. This is all included in the adoption fee.

A happy life is a healthy life: Adoption starts your pet on the path to a healthy future.

Virtual applications

We will accept virtual applications for the animals in our care at the shelter. To adopt a pet virtually, follow these steps:

1. Look through our available animals for adoption
2. Complete the adoption application:
   • Cat adoption form
   • Dog adoption form
   • Small Animal adoption form
3. After submitting your application if approved:
   • Oshawa animal services staff will arrange a phone interview with the successful applicant
   • A meet and greet with all family members will be arranged
   • Payment will be at the time of pick up

Please note: We accept multiple applications on our dogs. Only successful applicants will be have a meet and greet arranged before adopting to ensure it is a good fit. We limited meetings to reduce stress for dogs in our care.

What is included in adoption?

Pet adoption includes:

• Spay or neuter
• First set of vaccinations and the rabies vaccine
• Flea treatment
• Deworming
• Microchip
• Four week pet insurance trial

Methods of payment accepted: cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

Visit our off-site adoption partner locations

Our off-site adoption options have a variety of animals who are ready to go home with you the same day. Things to do before visiting an off-site location:

• Call the location to ensure the animal is still available for adoption
• Verify adoption hours - they vary by location
• Payment methods available: Our off-site adoption partners only accept cash payment for adoptions
• Animals for adoption from our off-site adoption partners are ready to go home the same day

Resources

Dog adoption

• Dog Adoption Tips – Bringing Home a New Rescue Dog
• How to house train your dog or puppy
• Keeping the peace between dogs and cats
• Harmful effects of smoking around your pets

Cat adoption

• Helping your adopted cat and existing pets accept each other
• Common litter box issues
• Harmful effects of smoking around your pets

Small animal adoption

Rabbits

• How to care for your rabbit
• Litter box training your rabbit
• Poisonous plants for rabbits
• Ontario rabbit education

Guinea pigs

• Guinea pig care guide