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Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Animals

  • Do you have a facility to view the animals?

    No, ARF does not have a permanent shelter; all animals are housed in foster homes. We are always in desperate need of foster "parents" who are able to give a rescued dog or cat a temporary home and get it started on its way. All food and medical care is provided and the rewards are immeasurable. To find out more about becoming a foster home, see our volunteer opportunities.

    Each Saturday afternoon between 1 - 3 pm, a selection of our dogs available for adoption will be at the ARF display at the SW PetsMart (across from Chinook Centre). Check the dogs page on Fridays to see which dogs are scheduled to attend.

  • What happened to the breed descriptions for the available dogs?

    After much discussion, it was decided to remove the breed types from the dog pages due to the fact that we really don't know what breed any given dog is. Guesses of the breeds were made based primarily on visual characteristics, but as we rarely see the mom and never see the dad, these guesses have little value and were creating confusion among potential adopters. Most dogs that we encounter are mixed breed - they may have the "looks" of one breed, the "size" of another and the "personality" of a third breed.

    A DNA My Dog Test Kit it available from the ARF Store. Pick up is available in Calgary or it can be sent directly to your door.

    This change has been well received by our volunteers and adopters alike.

  • How can I determine the sex of your animals?

    The sex of an ARF dog or cat is listed as part of its ARF number. Male animals are denoted by an "M" (e.g. 1234M), and female animals are denoted by an "F" (e.g. 9876F). The ARF number of any available animal is displayed beside its name on the dog (or cat) page.

  • Where are your animals from?

    Rural and First Nation areas surrounding Calgary, AB.

  • Do you accept owner surrenders?

    Unfortunately ARF is unable to accept owner surrenders of non-ARF pets. Please contact the Calgary Humane Society.

  • Are your animals fixed, and have they had their shots?

    Yes, all dogs and cats are spayed or neutered before they are available for adoption and they have all had at least their first set of shots.

About Our Adoption Policies & Procedures for Dogs

  • How much does it cost to adopt a dog?

    $300 - this includes the spay/neuter, a tattoo, the first round of vaccinations, de-worming and training sessions.

  • What is the process to adopt a dog?

    The dog adoption process includes the following steps:

    1. Applicant fills out our on-line Adoption Application Form.
    2. Approved applicants are contacted via email requesting a telephone interview with one of our volunteer Adoption Screeners.
    3. The telephone interview takes approximately 30 minutes. If the applicant is approved, then the foster home is contacted by ARF Volunteer and if foster home feels it might be a match, then the foster home phone number will be given to the applicant, so that the applicant can contact the foster home to arrange for an interview in the foster family's home (all members of the applicant's family must attend).
    4. After 24 hours, if the applicant is still interested in pursuing the adoption, the applicant is to contact the foster home to so advise.
    5. If the foster home determines that the dog and applicant are a potentially suitable match, then a day visit will be arranged for the dog to spend a day (no overnights) in the applicant's home.
    6. The dog is then returned to the foster home where permanent adoption is discussed.

  • I live in a condo, can I still adopt a dog?

    Many Condo Boards require residents to complete an “Application for Pet Approval” and within that there may be rules on weight, maximum length of a leash and/or size & breed exclusions often referred to as large and dangerous breeds. Pet infractions within your by-laws can be, but are not limited to fines, seizure and/or impoundment of your dog.

    If you live in a condo environment and apply for an ARF pup/dog, we will require a copy of your Condo by-laws and, if needed, approval from your condo board. This should be in place before you make an application for a pup/dog.

    For the safety of our dogs, ARF’s preference is that the adoptive home has a minimum 4 foot fenced area or an approved outdoor kennel or dog run.

    We stress that we cannot guarantee the size or breed of our dogs.

  • Why do I have to have a fence to adopt a dog?

    ARF dogs are strays by their life experience. In order to ensure their happiness and safety, dogs will be adopted to homes that have a minimum of a 4 foot permanent, secure fence, or other such secure structure (i.e. a dog run), unless otherwise determined by an ARF representative.

    ARF does not support or condone leaving dogs outside unsupervised for extended periods of time as all dogs are social animals who thrive in a healthy family setting and who may become bored and problematic (i.e. barking, digging etc.) if left unsupervised.

  • Can I adopt sibling puppies?

    No, ARF will not adopt out puppies under the age of 1 year who have been living together for an extensive period of time, to the same home. Research shows that young sibling pups who continue to reside together have increased incidents of behavioural problems as their bond to each other may interfere with the proper hierarchy within the household.

  • Do you include training?

    Yes, six weeks of training classes are included with every dog adoption.

About Our Adoption Policies & Procedures for Cats

  • How much does it cost to adopt a cat?

    $120 - this includes the spay/neuter, a tattoo, vaccinations and de-worming.

  • How do you go about adopting a cat?

    The cat adoption process includes the following steps:

    1. Applicant contacts the adoption line at 403.243.1910 or fills out the online adoption application for a telephone interview.
    2. At the discretion of the adoption line volunteer, the foster home's phone number will be given to the applicant so that the applicant can contact the foster home to arrange for an interview in the foster family's home (all members of the applicant's family must attend).
    3. After 24 hours, if the applicant is still interested in pursuing the adoption, the applicant is to contact the foster home to discuss permanent placement.

  • Can I adopt sibling cats?

    Yes, sibling cats & kittens may be adopted out together.

About Volunteering & Donations

  • How can I help?

    We are always looking for volunteers! To see our volunteer opportunities, click here or email volunteering@arf.ab.ca

  • How do I donate?

    ARF is a registered charity (#89980-5956RR-0001) and is staffed almost entirely by volunteers. We have many expenses, not the least of which is veterinary care. All donations are very gratefully accepted, and a tax receipt will be issued for any donation of $20 or more. Visit our donation page to donate online through CanadaHelps.org or to see which in-kind donation items are needed most.

  • Where can I drop off donations?

    Donations may be dropped off at our weekly display at the SW PetsMart (Saturdays between 1 - 3 pm at the PetsMart across from Chinook Centre,) or pick-up can be arranged by calling us at 403.243.1910.

  • What's involved in being a foster home?

    We are always in DESPERATE need of committed foster "parents" who are able to give a rescued dog or cat a temporary home and get it started on its way. Most of our animals have never been inside a home before and have not always been treated very well; therefore, they need some basic training and lots of love. All food and medical care is provided.

    Our foster homes care for an animal and attend to all of it's needs including: taking the animal to the vet as required, feeding, walking and training the animal, having potential adopters in your home to meet the dog/cat, making the final decision on who adopts your foster animal, and in the case of a dog, visiting the potential adopters home to see if their yard is secure and bringing the dog to PetsMart some weekends to be viewed by potential adopters.

    Please Note: All foster homes must be in the Calgary area.

    Some of the benefits of fostering include:

    • If you’re considering adopting, you see if your family is ready for the full time commitment by looking after a foster dog or cat in your home.
    • You will have the joy of watching a puppy/kitten play, grow and flourish in your care.
    • You will teach your children responsibility and care for an animal.
    • We are very flexible, if you can’t foster for part of the summer as you’re going away, you can take a break and pick back up again when you return.
    • You as the foster family have the final say in which family adopts the animal (all potential adopters go through a pre-screening).
    • You can be directly involved in saving a dog’s or cat's life!!

    To learn more, click here.

  • What’s the difference between a holding area and a foster home?

    A holding area is a home where we place rescued animals until they can be moved to a permanent foster home. Animals usually stay in holding until they are approximately 8 weeks old. We are always looking for extra holding areas. To learn more, click here.

About ARF