Dog Adoption Fees
- Dogs 9 months and under: $550
- Dogs 10 months – 5 years: $500
- Dogs over 5 years: $375
Your adoption fee includes:
- Spay/neuter surgery
- Microchip or tattoo
- Up to date DA2PP vaccination
- Rabies vaccination
- Deworming
- 6-week pet insurance trial through Petsecure
Please note: Adoption fees are non-refundable. Should an adopter become unable to keep an animal, they must contact ARF who will endeavour to remove the animal as soon as possible (space permitting); however, no refund will be issued.
Dog Adoption Process
Please review the following information before submitting an adoption application. Process amendments will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
1. Review Eligibility
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ARF requires all potential dog adopters to meet the following criteria:
- 18 years or older.
- Government issued photo ID and proof of current address.
- Current pets are spayed/neutered.
- Plan to adopt the dog into your own home, ARF does not allow animals to be adopted as gifts.
- Have never neglected or abused an animal, or surrendered a pet to a shelter, rescue organization or Humane Society.
- Compassionate, with realistic expectations of newly adopted pets.
- Read, understand and agree with our position on dog training.
- Prepared to enroll in training classes with one of our partnered, reward-based training facilities.
- Financially capable to care for your pet, including potentially expensive surgeries, illnesses or accidents.
- Abide by relevant municipal bylaws.
- Adequate time for your dog, including time for training and socializing. Time spent at home by the potential adopter will be taken into consideration.
- A crate suitable for the size of dog you will be adopting.
- Permission for animals in your home (e.g. Landlord Pet Approval).
- Willingness to always supervise children and animals.
- Consent of all household members, including renters and boarders.
- Up-to-date vaccination records of current pets.
- Panoramic photos of yard (for out-of-town applicants).
2. Online Application
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Your dog adoption application can be submitted below. Please note that incomplete applications or applications submitted with missing documentation will not be reviewed by our Adoption Team.
3. Screening Interview
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Pre-approved applicants will be contacted by email to arrange a phone interview with an Adoption Screener. This interview will take at least 30 minutes.
4. Foster Home Visit
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If the screening interview is successful, ARF will contact the foster home to determine potential matches. The foster will then contact the applicant to schedule a meeting at the foster home. It is required for the applicant and all household members (of all ages, including non-related members, such as boarders or renters) to attend this meeting. The applicant will also be asked to bring any other dogs living in the home.
5. Day Visit
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If the foster home agrees that the dog and applicant are a match, a day visit will be arranged for the dog to spend a day in the applicant’s home.
6. No pressure – 24hrs Wait Period
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When the dog is returned to the foster home, permanent adoption can be discussed. Applicants are required to thoughtfully consider their decision before moving forward. We give you and your family 24hrs to discus and think over your decision.
7. Documentation & Fees
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If both parties agree there is a match, all necessary documentation must be provided at the time of adoption, including photo ID/proof of address. All adoption paperwork and fees must be completed and paid prior to the dog’s release from foster care.
8. After You Adopt
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Bringing a new dog into your home can be exciting and challenging at the same time! We’ve compiled a collection of training and general wellness resources to make the transition smoother.
Out-of-Town Adoptions
ARF is happy to facilitate out-of-town adoptions with a few modifications to the process. The foster home visit and day visit will be scheduled for the same day with a break in between for both adopter and foster to consider the match. An overnight wait period is still required before finalizing the adoption. Please keep in mind, we do not ship our animals. We also ask that adopters research training facilities in their area and be prepared to discuss them during their screening interview and foster home visit.
Multi-Dog Adoptions
ARF does not allow the adoption of sibling or young dogs fostered together in the same home. Research indicates that pups that continue to live together have increased behavioural problems as their bond to each other may interfere with the household hierarchy. Additionally, we advise against adding a second (or third!) dog into your home within a short period of time. We encourage adopters to establish a strong relationship with their current pack before introducing a new dog into the home.
Animal Health Considerations
ARF animals are adopted as they are. While those in need of veterinary attention will receive treatment prior to being placed in a foster home; once adopted, all medical costs will be the responsibility of the adopter.
We make every effort to inform adopters of any known medical conditions, but please note that ARF cannot guarantee the future health or behaviour of any animal. Additionally, unless an animal is born in our care, their ages are estimations.
Rewarding Good Behaviour
At ARF, the well-being of our animals always comes first. That’s why we ask our volunteers, foster homes, and adopters to practice positive reinforcement and reward-based methods in their training.