If you are looking to rescue a dog or puppy, please check out the following shelters in Ottawa.

BEFORE you adopt, please check out this article – Permanent Adoption Check-list: Top 10 Things To Know

About this shelter: Petfinder is an on-line, searchable database of animals that need homes. It is also a directory of over 10,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Organizations maintain their own home pages and available pet database.

About this shelter: Navan Animal Rescue Corporation’s (NARC) mission is to educate, inspire, and assist individuals and organizations of diverse cultures in treating animals with respect in order to achieve a peaceful, equitable and sustainable future with our companions/pets.

Available Dogs

About this shelter: The SPCA of Western Quebec is a no-kill animal shelter located in the Aylmer sector of the city of Gatineau. We accept animals which can no longer be kept by their owner, as well as those who have no current home of their own.

Available Dogs

About this shelter: Hopeful Hearts is a non-profit dog rescue in Ottawa, Ontario. Hopeful Hearts Rescue was created in late September 2007 to help fill a void in the local rescue world for senior and special needs dogs. These angels are most often turned down by rescues due to difficulty with finding adoptive homes and inherent vet costs. Our team decided to step up to the plate!

Available Dogs

About this shelter: We specialize in assisting Giant Canine Breeds & Equines & focus on the Special Needs(Deaf, Visually Impaired, Sick & Injured) Our area of assistance is across North America & our area of placement is mostly in Eastern Ontario. We provide a safe ‘haven’ for animals for life should they not be adopted or are deemed un-adoptable. We are a non-for-profit program and we are an all Volunteer organization without any salaried employees.

Available Dogs

About this shelter: Bullies in Need (BIN) is a non-profit dog rescue based in Ottawa, Ontario, but we have several helpful chapters throughout Ontario. We pride ourselves on the quality of loving dogs we rescue while working with shelters saving the bullies (and sometimes non-bullies) off of death row. Bullies in Need has fostered great relationships with shelters and we truly believe that the animal control, shelter staff and volunteers are the heart and soul behind saving the abandoned animals that our society leaves behind.

Available Dogs

LANARK ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY (LAWS)
Located in: Smiths Falls, Ontario
Contact: 613.283.9308 or email
Website: lanarkanimals.ca

About this shelter: LAWS is an independent organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of all animals. It is a registered charity that survives solely on private donations, receiving no funding from any level of government. Every year the shelter staff deals with over 2500 animals. These are lost, abused, or abandoned animals which are cared for until their rightful owners can be found or they can be placed in new homes.

Available Dogs

CANADIAN CHIHUAHUA RESCUE AND TRANSPORT
Located in: Ottawa
Contact: 1.877.783.7333 or email
Website: ccrt.net

About this shelter: CCRT a network of volunteers working together to rescue, transport, foster and provide necessary veterinary care for homeless, abandoned, neglected, or abused Chihuahuas.

Available Dogs

GREYHOUND SUPPORTERS OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
Located in: Ottawa
Contact: 613.216.8097 or email
Website: gsncr.ca

About this shelter: The Greyhound Supporters of the National Capital Region (GSNCR) was established in the summer of 2005. We are a not-for-profit group comprised of individuals interested in the health and welfare of the Retired Racing Greyhound.

The purpose of the group is twofold. We support greyhound-related causes that have been established to improve the health and physical well being of the retired racing greyhound globally. We do this by hosting fund-raising initiatives or finding other ways to support these causes, such as our Galgos corner.

In addition, we work to raise public awareness of retired racing greyhounds as pets, and of the status of greyhounds around the world by hosting events like International Greyhound Planet Day.

Find a Greyhound

About this shelter: This is a wonderful place! Rescues dogs, cats, farm animals. It is an extremely peaceful and happy establishment. Well worth a visit. The main goal is to rehabilitate abused or injured animals, as well as take in any unwanted animal.

Available Dogs

About this shelter: Our mission is to help pugs in need and, to the best of our ability, find them a “forever home” where they can rest their heads at night. UNDER MY WING – Pug Rescue is a small but growing non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers who are dedicated to providing a bridge between a pug’s past life and its better future.

We rescue pugs and provide them medical care, loving attention, comfort, balanced food, companionship, and eventually a loving forever home. Our volunteers do not receive any compensation for their efforts. They all donate their time, effort, and skills for the love of pugs.

Available Dogs

OTTAWA HUMANE SOCIETY
Address: 101 Champagne Ave.

Contact: 613.725.3166
Website: ottawahumane.ca

About this shelter: The Ottawa Humane Society is a non-profit, community-based organization and a registered charity. We have a volunteer Board of Directors, drawn from our supporters and the community at large. Since 1888, we have been the leading organization providing a safe haven for sick, injured and homeless animals in Ottawa.

Available Dogs

WESTMINSTER PET SANCTUARY
Contact: email
Website: westminsterpetsanctuary.com

About this shelter: Westminster Pet Sanctuary is a non-profit, registered charity. Our motto is “saving lives, one pet at a time”. We value life and are committed to saving the lives of abandoned animals that have good quality of life, but treatable medical conditions. Our focus is to provide a sanctuary for, and with the help of vetrinarians, to stabilize the medical conditions of our animals with medication, therapy and/or surgery making them suitable for adoption. We are an all breed, “no kill” sanctuary run exclusively by volunteers and funded solely by private donations. We accept dogs and stray cats.

Available Dogs

ARNPRIOR & DISTRICT HUMANE SOCIETY
Contact: Email or 613-623-0916
Website: arnpriorhumanesociety.ca

About this shelter: We are a non-profit, NO-KILL registered charitable organization affiliated with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Available Dogs (and Cats)

CANADIAN DACHSHUND RESCUE
Contact: Through their website
Website: wienerdogrescue.com

About this shelter: Canadian Dachshund Rescue (CDR) was founded in 2001 by the Canadian members of US Dachshund rescues. We felt there was the need for a dachshund rescue here, but we didn’t know how great that need was. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of dachshunds needing new homes and we can only rescue as many dogs as we have foster homes to keep them in and dollars to pay the vet bills. CDR has helped over 700 dachshunds and dachshund mixes find forever homes. With your help we will save many more. Consider fostering, volunteering, or donating to help dachshunds in need.

Although not based in Ottawa, they sometimes have dogs that are living in foster care in the Ottawa area.

Available Dogs

ADOPT-A-GREYHOUND OF CENTRAL CANADA,INC.
Contact: Email or 613-489-0654
Website: adopt-a-greyhound.com

About this shelter: We are an all volunteer-run, non-profit organization that for the past 15 years has been dedicated to finding suitable permanent, loving homes for retired racing greyhounds.These former canine athletes have earned their retirement, and we want them to have an opportunity to become “45 mph couch potatoes.”

ADOPT-A-GREYHOUND OF CENTRAL CANADA, INC. (AAG) is also deeply committed to increasing public awareness about ex-racers as pets. We want to educate people about these gentle, loving creatures and dispel the myths that have been perpetuated about the true nature of the racing greyhound.

How to Adopt through AAG

CATAHOULA RESCUE
Contact: Email
Website: ontariocatahoularescue.petfinder.com

About this shelter: Catahoula Rescue was founded in 2001 by a small group of Catahoula owners. Catahoula Rescue, Inc. advocates for homeless Catahoulas and Catahoula mixes and places these animals in permanent, loving homes. We promote responsible guardianship through humane education. We also assist responsible Catahoula owners if they must find a new home for their dog. We can offer advice and options that might make it possible for the dog to stay with his family. If it is still necessary to rehome the dog, we will list him/her on our available pets page. All of the dogs that come into our care, go to various foster homes. The location of the dog’s foster home is listed in each, individual ad. Our work is paid for by donations, adoption fees, and the volunteers themselves and we are always looking for foster homes. For more information, please visit our website

Available Dogs

WESTIES IN NEED
Contact: Email
Website: westiesinneed.ca

About this shelter: Westies in Need (WiN) is a non profit Canadian group that provides rescue, fostering, transport, medical attention and adoption services for surrendered, abused, abandoned, neglected, and/or homeless West Highland White Terriers in Ontario and Quebec.

Out of the love for these little white dogs comes our passion for helping Westies in Need.

Our mission is to: rescue Westies, get immediate medical attention to those in need, foster Westies in a safe, attentive environment, find them loving and forever homes and to also educate the general public to the need for spaying and neutering dogs and the perils of puppy mills. We advocate an end to the operation of puppy mills, pet store animal sales, and the neglect and abuse of these precious dogs.

Adoption Info

ADOR-A-BULL
Contact: Email
Website: ador-a-bull.com

About this shelter: Ador-A-Bull Dog Rescue (ADR) is a small, independent dog rescue run by a several individuals who have been heavily involved in dog rescue for years and were brought together through their similar beliefs and values.

Though our current focus is the bull and terrier breeds being discriminated against by the Ontario Government, we are committed to helping any dog, regardless of breed, on a case by case basis. ADR also has a strong focus of involvement and education in the community for responsible dog ownership and advocacy for the breeds misrepresented in the media. We are also a proud supporter of the Banned Aid Coalition. All of our adoptable dogs have received veterinary care, have been temperament tested and are fostered in family environments.We are always in need of (and very grateful for) volunteers, foster homes and donations.

Available Dogs

GOLDEN RESCUE c/o Canadian Golden Retriever Adoption Service Inc.
Contact: Email or (866) 712-8444
Website: golden-rescue.net

About this shelter: The Canadian Golden Retriever Adoption Service Inc. is a volunteer-operated, not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to rescuing and re-homing displaced Golden Retrievers, and to educating the public, in general, about pet ownership.

We carefully screen all incoming dogs for socially acceptable behaviour and approve those whom we feel we can responsibly place. We provide spay/neuter service, micro-chipping, and all the necessary veterinary care required to place them in their Forever Homes.

We are currently looking for great homes in Ottawa for some truly remarkable dogs!

Golden Rescue is a registered trademark of The Canadian Golden Retriever Adoption Service Inc.

Available Dogs

We are looking for Foster homes in the Ottawa area.

FRIENDLY GIANTS DOG RESCUE
Contact: email Website: friendlygiantsdogrescue.com

About this shelter: Friendly Giants Dog Rescue is a non-profit rescue in Ottawa, Ontario that was created by a network of people that became aware of the growing need to provide a safe haven and to find loving adoptive forever homes for dogs in pounds and shelters that would otherwise be euthanized.

Available Dogs

BLUE MOON CATAHOULA AND BIG DOG RESCUE
Contact: email
Website: petfinder.com/shelters/bluemoonrescue.html

About this shelter: We are a small non profit rescue group located south and southeast of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. We strive to contribute to pet ownership education and we rescue pets in need. We mostly take in medium and large dogs of any breed abandoned in kill shelters or surrendered by their owners, but take smaller dogs every now and then too. In fact, we’ll help any dog if we have the proper spot for it … hence the constant need for loving temporary foster homes for dogs awaiting their forever homes – especially for dogs over 30 lbs. We provide fostering, vetting and basic training for our dogs, and also help out with rescue and transport to safe haven for other responsible rescue groups.

Available Dogs

LOYAL RESCUE
Website: loyalrescue.com

About this shelter: LOYAL is a foster-based rescue. For administrative purposes we are based out of Peterborough, however we have foster homes across Ontario (including the Ottawa area!) and feature a variety of breeds, ages and sizes!

Available Dogs

KIKO DOG RESCUE AND ADOPTIONS
Website: kikodogrescue.ca

About this shelter: Kiko Dog Rescue and Adoptions is a non-profit, foster-based, all-breed organization run by volunteers based west of Montreal near the Quebec/Ontario border and is named after a little black Pug rescued from a puppy mill.

We are dedicated to helping dogs that have found themselves homeless, whether they are from a pound, puppy mill or a home surrender, by placing them in the loving forever homes they so deserve. All dogs that come into our rescue receive whatever veterinary care they require, including everything from dentistry to surgery to help correct an uncomfortable or painful medical condition.

Available Dogs

CANINE RESCUE TEAM
Website: caninerescueteam.com

About this shelter: We are a non-profit organization comprised of a volunteer team of animal loving individuals who have come together for the betterment of dogs.

Our mandate is to bring dogs into our rescue of all breeds, ages and needs and provide them with a safe foster home, all the vetting they need, as much food as they can eat, and all the love they deserve with the eventual goal of them being adopted to their forever homes-free of neglect, abuse, pain or suffering. We take this very seriously.

Available Dogs

HART (Highland Animal Relief Team)
Website: hartanimalrelief.ca

About this shelter: Our Mission
To provide supportive care for and to promote humane treatment of stray, injured and abandoned dogs and cats in our region.

Our Vision
To stimulate interest in the wellbeing of all animals, by promoting education of animal welfare. To develop for perpetuity a system/facility to provide shelter, food, medical attention for animals in need, until a new, permanent, caring home can be found.

Our Commitment
To respect and ensure the dignity of our organization, our volunteers and the animals we serve by fostering moral and ethical standards

based out of Bancroft, ON, but have foster homes in Ottawa

Available Dogs

ARBED RESCUE
Website: arbedrescue.com

About this shelter: Arbed Rescue is a charitable, non-profit organization based in Martintown, Ontario (1 hr S E of Ottawa and 1 hr W of Montreal) that offers canine adoption services.

We rescue all dogs of any size from ALL situations in which the dog is in jeopardy but with an emphasis on those who are suffering in sub-humane circumstances and those who are about to be killed on death rows.

Available Dogs

ANIMATCH
Website: animatch.ca

About this shelter: Animatch has humble beginnings. It was founded in 1999 by Helen Lacroix, a busy wife and mother.

Her grassroots movement started around her kitchen table. Helen credits her parents with instilling in her their love and concern for animals. Today, Animatch boasts a centre with accommodation for a dozen dogs and a dedicated team of volunteers.

Available Dogs

VALLEY BOXER AND MASTIFF RESCUE
Website: valleyboxerrescue.com

About this shelter: We are a non profit registered rescue for Boxers, Neapolitan Mastiffs, Dogue de Bordeaux, Mastiffs. We rescue homeless, surrendered, unwanted, abused, special need dogs into our home. We do not have foster homes and care for them personally. We provide them with the best care, rehabilitation, training and all the love in the world.

Available Dogs

TINY PAWS DOG RESCUE CANADA
Website: www.tpdr.ca

About this shelter: Tiny Paws Dog Rescue was formed in February 2007 to assist small pure and mixed breed dogs (weighing 20 pounds and under) in need.

We work with shelters, pounds, other rescues, and private individuals to save dogs that might otherwise be euthanized and place those dogs into our private foster homes. We provide standard veterinary care and other needed medical treatment, work on training issues and through our adoption screening process, find new forever homes for the dogs in our care. We also educate the public about the important reasons to spay/neuter pets, the deplorable conditions found in puppy mills, the sources of pet store dogs and the need to adequately care for and train the family pet.

Available Dogs

GENESIS RESCUE
Website: genesisdogrescue.com

About this shelter: GENESIS Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization based in Ottawa, Ontario. We are dedicated to rescuing homeless and abandoned animals, dogs from shelters and taking in desperate owner surrenders who can no longer care for them. We do so by working with committed volunteers, foster homes, local veterinarians, and our trainers. We are able to rescue dogs in need and provide them with loving temporary care and find them well-matched carefully screened “furever homes”.

Available Dogs

About this shelter: Established in September 2001, the Bytown Association for Rescued Kanines (B.A.R.K.) is an all breed “no kill” rescue organization. We are a registered charity comprised solely of dedicated and experienced volunteers.

About this shelter: Sit with Me Rescue is a shelter dogs program specifically focused on saving dogs from local shelters. We work closely with the shelters in our community to help save dogs that would otherwise be facing euthanasia due to a variety of reasons, including; breed, health, behaviour issues or just a lack of space and/ or time.

Available Dogs

About this shelter: Minpinerie is a non-profit rescue organization that rescues and fosters miniature pinchers that have been surrendered by their owners, willingly released by puppy mills or breeders, or abandoned in shelters. We also rescue, with priority, other small dogs that are in situations of peril or abuse, and will work quickly to assist women with dogs who must immediately leave their home setting because of domestic abuse, by fostering their pets until they have a chance to re-settle or re-homing them to a safe and loving home.

Available Dogs

About this shelter: Our sanctuary is a registered charity #840502934RR0001. VAR is a foster based animal rescue and registered charity that serves the needs of unwanted and abandoned animals of Renfrew and the Ottawa Valley. We take a positive approach and strive to make a difference in the lives of the animals and people we serve. We are passionate in our efforts to promote the protection and well-being of all animals and to build a community with compassion and respect for all living things.

Available Dogs

About this shelter: We are a group of golden retriever lovers, dedicated to helping golden retrievers in need find caring, responsible “forever” homes. We mainly serve eastern Ontario but can extend to surrounding areas if we have the resources. All members of GRIN Canada are volunteers. We are currently looking for volunteers, especially foster homes in the Ottawa and surrounding areas.

Available Dogs

The following charity is not a rescue organization, but they are in need of puppy raisers.

CANINES WITH A CAUSE
Located in: Ottawa
Contact: 613.882.K9AD for K9A(assistance)D(dog) | 613.882.5923 (9am to 4pm Mon. to Fri.) or email
Website: canineswithacause.org

About this organization: CWAC’s mission is to operate as a non profit organization, who’s funds will be allocated to the 2 following programs:

• Training Assistance Dogs Program: Breeding, raising and training of Assistance Dogs, for those who are affected with a mobility related disability.
• Education & Awareness Program: Fostering understanding and acceptance of Disabilities, and Assistance Dogs This will be provided as a no-cost public education program, to all members of the community.

CWAC’s vision is to help individuals with mobility related disabilities that wish to gain independence through the assistance of a specially trained Assistance Dog by teaming them with one that will assist them in their specific needs. To educate and create awareness among the general public regarding Disabilities and Assistance dogs. To inform of the benefits that these well-trained dogs provide to people with disabilities that choose to use them to gain independence.

Information about becoming a Puppy Raiser