Animal Services Shelter

The Corporate Services Department provides animal care and control services through its Oshawa Animal Services Shelter.

Tours of the Shelter can be arranged for interested educational or social groups by contacting the office.

• Animal Adoption
• Fees for Animal Adoptions
• Return Policy 
• Found or Lost Animals
• Licensing
• Current Licence Rates
• How to Purchase a Licence

Hours of Operation

• Office Hours:  Monday through Saturday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Adoption Hours:  Monday through Saturday - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Closed Sunday and all statutory holidays

If you have an after-hours emergency, call Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 and press 9.  An animal services emergency is classified as a life threatening injury or illness to an animal, or if you have found a dog or a cat with a (current year) City of Oshawa animal licence tag.

Animal Adoption

An Application process is required for each animal being adopted.  If the Application is approved, the animal is sent to the veterinarian for:  spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip.  Once this procedure is completed, the animal is ready to go to its new home; however, depending on the day of the week that you visit Animal Services, this process can sometimes take up to one week to complete.  (Please note: in the majority of cases, a newly adopted animal does not go home the same day as your initial visit to Animal Services.)

As most of our animals are stray, very little is known about their past history. Animal Services has Certified Veterinary Technicians that assess each animal's health, however, we do not have a veterinarian on staff to provide any medical history for adopted animals.

We encourage you to take your adopted pet to a veterinarian within three days of purchase to have it examined. Oshawa Animal Services does not knowingly adopt out unhealthy animals, however, it is possible these animals have been exposed to diseases that may not show symptoms while in our care. In some cases the stress of being sent for the spay/neuter surgery, and then to a new home, can cause symptoms to appear shortly after the animal goes home.  A veterinarian would be able to give you an accurate account of the animal's present health and provide your pet with a vaccination schedule. They would also be able to answer any questions pertaining to your pet's care, diet or simply give any needed advice.

• View our Adoption List

Fees for Animal Adoption

Dogs/Puppies

• $230.00 (HST not included) - this includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, flea treatment, de-worming, microchip, rabies immunization, and six week pet insurance

Cats/Kittens

• $150.00 (HST not included) - this includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, flea treatment, de-worming, microchip, rabies immunization, and six week pet insurance

Return Policy

Since Oshawa Animal Services cannot predict the health or disposition of each animal, there is a return policy in effect. Each case is considered on an individual basis.  If you have concerns about the health of the animal, or a disposition problem, which you feel you do not have resources or time to correct, please contact the shelter promptly. In many instances we are able to provide support and guidance to assist in keeping the animal in the home.  Should you ultimately need to return the animal please note that refunds are at the discretion of Oshawa Animal Services. A veterinary certificate or doctor's certificate may be required prior to a refund being granted.

Please call the Animal Services Shelter If you have any questions or if you simply need advice on animal adoption.

Found or Lost Animals

If you have lost your pet, report it to Animal Services as soon as possible. Having your pet licensed will increase the chances for us to reunite you with your beloved friend.

If you have found someone's pet, report it to Animal Services as soon as possible. Many pets found do not have tags, but still have a home. Keeping this animal in your home will make it more difficult for the owner to find it. Please keep in mind many animals that run away could require special medication. Not reporting the animal could result in the animal getting sick or even dying if its medication is not dispensed.

Note: Keeping a found animal for more than 72 hours, not including the day it is found, may be viewed by Animal Services as an acceptance of responsibility and ownership by the finding party.

When calling to report a lost or found pet, please have the following information ready:

• Your name, address and telephone number
• Where you found the animal
• Tag numbers, if any
• Breed
• Colour
• Sex (if possible) and
• Age (if possible)

• Search for your lost pet

If you have any further questions, comments or concerns, please call the Animal Services Shelter.

Licensing

The Responsible Pet Owners By-law requires all cats, dogs and ferrets to be licensed and leashed when off the owner's property. Annually, hundreds of pets stray from their homes and are never retrieved. Often both pet and owner suffer during their time apart and the cost for pick-up and sheltering affects all Oshawa residents.

Licensing your pet provides:

• One free ride home each year for a stray pet if it escapes from your property and is retrieved by Animal Services.
• Immediate contact with you if your pet is injured and your pet will be transported to a veterinarian for care.
• If your pet is unfortunately killed while straying from your home, Animal Services can contact you immediately and avoid hours of heartache.
• Anyone finding your lost pet can call Animal Services and we will be able to contact you to reunite you with your pet.

Current Licence Rates

How To Purchase a Licence

• Online:   Oshawa Licence Express 

•  In person at:
  Service Oshawa, 1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall, 50 Centre St S, Monday to Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm & Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  Licensing Services, 1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall, 50 Centre St S, Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
  Animal Services, 919 Farewell St S, Monday to Saturday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
  Veterinary Offices:  (please phone for office hours and method of payment accepted)
  Callbeck Animal Hospital, 575 Thornton Rd N (905-438-1144)
  East Oshawa Animal Hospital, 1 Townline Rd N (905-576-3344)
  Oshawa Animal Hospital, 670 Taunton Rd W (905-432-7387)
  Simcoe Street North Veterinary Clinic, 1487 Simcoe St N (905-571-3009)
  Taunton Road Animal Hospital, 1221 Taunton Rd E (905-579-4040)
  Wilson Rd Veterinary Clinic, 371 Wilson Rd S (905-576-8885)

• By phone:  Licensing Services at 905-436-3311 Ext  2428, Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. We accept payment by Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Information required at time of purchase:

• proof of date of vaccination
• proof of date of spay/neuter (if altered licence)
• microchip registration (if lifetime licence)

"Proof" means an original or photocopy of a veterinarian's bill or certificate of spay/neuter, or certificate of vaccination, and microchip registration must be provided.
"Special Needs Dogs" are exempted from licensing fees with proof of certification.

Contact: