If you think the SPCA is the only place to adopt animals in the Lower Mainland, you're missing a few top spots.
One of them is directly through the City of Vancouver, which operates a pro-adoption animal shelter that helps facilitate 200 to 300 adoptions annually.
The city tells V.I.A. that staff carefully review each adoption to ensure a "strong match between the animal and their prospective new home."
The shelter's foster-to-adopt program also provides prospective owners with an opportunity to foster a shelter dog for 21 days before committing to a full adoption.
Here is what to know to adopt an animal in Vancouver, and a few dogs waiting for adoption (see slides above).
City of Vancouver adoptable animals program: Important considerations
The city outlines three critical categories for Vancouverites thinking of adopting a pet.
Lifestyle considerations include the long-term emotional and financial commitment, which requires ample time to interact with the pet, as well as potential health implications, such as allergies.
People should also consider if their living situation aligns with pet ownership. They should check for restrictions on pets at their homes or rental units, and ensure there is ample space. Some pets may also require some space in the surrounding outdoor area.
Some pets get along with particular individuals, and prospective owners should select one that suits their personality and circumstances. Before selecting a specific pet or breed, research its behaviours and characteristics.
Considerations for dogs
If you adopt a dog, you'll need to:
- Licence it
- Make sure it wears its collar and licence tag
- Teach it basic obedience
- Use a leash
- Pick up its waste
You can purchase a dog licence(s) online with the city and pay with a credit card. Each licence is $65, with no tax, and must be renewed annually. Late renewals incur a $10 penalty.
How do you book an appointment?
To meet a small animal, prospective pet owners must email the city's animal services department to book an appointment.
The shelter's kennels are not open for the public to walk through. The city keeps them less busy to reduce the stress on dogs.If you're interested in adopting a dog, you can:
- View their bio on Petfinder External website or Adopt a pet.
- Book an appointment to come to the shelter and inquire about them
If you plan a visit, be sure to bring everyone who lives in the home, as well as other dogs you own. The kennel staff will discuss if the pet will be a good fit for your whole family.
You will be allowed to take it on a walk out of the shelter to see how it behaves. After this, you will complete an application about the dog you saw and the experience at the shelter.
Fees and processing time for adoptions
The city says it typically takes four or five days to decide on the application. This process may take longer if the adoptable animal needs to be seen by a veterinarian or has other medical issues that need to be dealt with before the adoption.
The fee to adopt a regular dog is $374 plus taxes, but that includes neutering or spaying, micro-chipping, the first set of vaccinations, and a free bag of dog food.
Senior dogs, or dogs with ongoing medical issues, cost $114 plus taxes.
Interested in another kind of domestic pet? Here is the current fee schedule:
