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The bond between human and animal is behind everything we do. This is what grounds us, inspires us, and pushes us well beyond our walls into more communities. As an adopter, you are bringing all of our work together. It all leads to this the incredible journey you are about to embark on.
If you love animals as much as we do, you understand why we work so hard to provide the best life possible for the animals in our care and the people who bond with them. It’s our expertise at every step of the journey, combined with the loving homes provided by people in our community that complete the circle. From the very moment an animal comes into our fold, their wellbeing is our priority.
Toronto Humane Society’s adoption process is set up with one goal in mind: matching the right people with the right animals. We don’t just want to find homes, we want to help build families and further the human-animal bond in our community.
It is for this reason that the process has several steps. It begins with you finding an animal on our website. Then you get set up with an Adoption Counsellor where we get to know a little more about you and what you’re looking for. Once we are at a stage to meet some pets there will be a Meet and Greet, where you’ll get to meet the animal and learn everything there is to know about them. Finally, the Adoption is finalized and your shared journey begins.
Ready to open your doors to an animal in need? Let’s get started!
Please be sure to view our available animals through the adoptions section of our website span prior to visiting.
Some of our animals will be at Toronto Humane Society’s shelter facility, while some will be staying in the homes of our dedicated foster parents – please be sure to have a look at this on each animal’s profile. We will conduct adoptions onsite for all animals, regardless of location, however for the animals in our foster homes, you will be invited to meet your animal virtually.
If you see that an animal is “on hold” and their profile is greyed out, this means someone has shown interest in the animal and they are going through the adoption process. If for some reason the adoption doesn’t go through, the Adoption Team will move on to the next application. Animals without a hold are all still looking for their forever home.
Click here to view the animals in our care. Once you have found a potential new member of the family, visit our facility (located at 11 River Street) to fill out an adoption application. If the animal you are interested in adopting is on-site, you can also visit them in-person.
Adoption submissions operate in-person (unless you require accommodation, please call or email us), and on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please ensure you are readily available complete the conversation portion of the adoption process when you arrive at the facility.
If the animal you’ve matched with is located at Toronto Humane Society’s facility, we will conduct an in-person meet and greet in person, immediately following your adoption conversation.
If the animal you’ve matched with is located in one of Toronto Humane Society’s foster homes, we will conduct the meet-and-greet virtually. This may be scheduled a day or two afterwards.
If everything goes well at the meet-and-greet, and both you and the adoption counsellor feel that the animal is a good match for your home, you can finalize the adoption when the animal is available. This will include instructions concerning adoption fees, pick-up times, and continuing care for your new animal companion.
Payment will be done with one of our Pet Support Agents. We accept payments in all forms – debit, credit, or cash.
There is no tax charged on the adoption fees.
Some of the dogs in our care have been transferred in from other organizations and rescue partners. These animals may have a higher adoption fee to help offset the cost of transferring them to us.
1. At least one piece of ID provided at the time of adoption must be a non-expired government issued ID containing proof of address (e.g. driver license, government issued mail within 4 to 6 months , or Ontario Photo Card).
2. All individuals who will reside with—or be in frequent contact with—the adopted animal should be present at the adoption counselling session.
3. If you are adopting a dog and currently have a dog in your home, we will coordinate a dog-dog meet and greet. This process ensures your new pet will adapt successfully in your home.
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