5 Best Animal Shelters in Ottawa to Meet Your Next Pet
I’m a regular at dog adoption centers because I’ve always been firmly on Team Adopt, Don’t Shop. If you’re looking for the best animal shelter in Ottawa, you’ve got some genuinely heartwarming options.
Ottawa’s rescue scene has plenty of personalities waiting to win you over. I also like that many shelters make room for fostering and volunteering, not just adoption.
Maybe you’re after a bouncy puppy, a mellow senior cat, or a pet who just needs a second chance. We rounded up the spots doing thoughtful matchmaking and giving animals the care they need before heading home.
How much does adopting from an animal shelter cost in Ottawa?
Adoption fees in Ottawa usually range from $0 to $615. The cost depends on the animal’s age, species, and size.
Kittens are around $320, while adult cats cost about $230. Senior cats may have no adoption fee.
Puppies are typically $590. Adult dogs cost around $500, while small dogs under 15 kilograms can cost up to $615.
Pocket pets and birds are usually cheaper to adopt. Fees generally range from $25 to $100.
1. Ottawa Humane Society
Address: 245 West Hunt Club Rd
Contact: Adoption queries: 613-725-3166 ext. 258 | Foster program: 613-725-3166 ext. 255 | [email protected]
Hours: Municipal Animal Shelter: Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 8 PM | Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM | Sunday, 11 AM – 4 PM | Shirley Kearns Memorial Adoption Centre: Monday-Friday, noon – 7 PM | Saturday-Sunday, 11 AM – 5 PM
I’ve always liked that the Ottawa Humane Society doesn’t put healthy, adoptable animals on a ticking clock. Pets can stay while staff keep working to find them the right home.
Dogs and cats also come with plenty of veterinary basics already handled, including vaccines, sterilization, and microchipping. That takes a few big jobs off your new-pet checklist before you even leave West Hunt Club Road.
There’s even a limited 14-day health guarantee and a complimentary six-week Petsecure insurance trial for eligible issues. For nervous first-time adopters, that extra safety net can make the whole leap feel a little less daunting.
The main catch is that applying doesn’t guarantee you’ll be approved for a particular pet. Their matching process is thorough, so you may need some patience if you’ve already fallen head over paws for one animal.
Great experience adopting my cat
Very accommodating got my cat sim there from the min I got home to Montreal he really played hide and seek thought I lost the cat did find him in the house but did bond with me as for the place very big very friendly a great place to pick up a pet
- Patrick Theobald | Google Reviews
Excellent facility and compassionate staff
The facility is excellent. The staff are likewise just top notch. This is certainly one of my favourite places… compassionate and just plain good. Highly recommend you get your next pet here; they take great care of the animals, you really couldn’t ask for better… I’m truly impressed and delighted to have met these people and have adopted a pet from them. Stellar!
- Adam Saint | Google Reviews
2. SPCA de l’Outaouais
Address: 132 Rue de Varennes, Gatineau
Contact: 819-243-2004
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9–11 AM and 1–3 PM | Saturday-Sunday, 9:30–11:30 AM and 1–3 PM (Closed on public holidays and on the third Monday of every month)
SPCA de l’Outaouais is just across the river in Gatineau, and I like how straightforward its adoption appointments feel. If the match works out, you can usually head home with your new companion that day.
Dogs and cats come with plenty already sorted, including sterilization, microchipping, basic vaccines, parasite treatment, and a starter bag of food.
There’s also a 10-day health guarantee for certain minor issues, which adds some welcome peace of mind.
Small-pet adopters get a nice perk too, since additional animals can come with a reduced adoption fee.
An adoption consultant walks you through the animal’s needs instead of simply handing over the carrier.
The catch is that pets can’t be reserved, so your favourite may be adopted before your appointment. For dog adoptions, everyone in the household, including resident dogs, needs to attend.
Friendly Staff and Great Adoption Process
The staff was so incredibly friendly here, and all cared about the animals very much. I ended up adopting my pup from them, and they were so happy to see him find a home. The coordinator I sat down with was incredibly knowledgeable and provided her email so I could contact her with any questions, if I needed recommendations for trainers, etc. It was a great experience adopting my dog here, and I can’t recommend them enough!
- T. | Google Reviews
3. Penny Lane Farm Sanctuary
Address: 1795 Du Lac Rd. Saint-Pascal-Baylon
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Hours vary. Contact for availability
Penny Lane Farm Sanctuary takes a different approach by offering a permanent, lifelong refuge for abused and neglected farm animals. They focus entirely on providing a safe, peaceful home rather than adopting out pets.
A friend of mine volunteers here on weekends, and she constantly raves about the peaceful environment.
The sanctuary operates in both English and French, making it highly accessible to the local community. They also coordinate a massive placement network with foster homes when their facility gets full.
However, their direct intake capacity is quite limited. Because space fills up so fast, they often have to refer urgent cases to secondary partner rescues.
They also face a heavy demand from owners needing to surrender animals, which stretches their resources. Even so, you can easily support them through budget-friendly micro-sponsorships like buying hay.
4. Lanark Animal Welfare Society
Address: 253 Glenview Rd, Smiths Falls
Contact: (613) 283-9308 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 AM – 4 PM (shelter visits by appointment)
I like that Lanark Animal Welfare Society doesn’t put adoptable pets on a deadline. Animals can stay in shelter or foster care while the team works on finding the right permanent home.
Adoption fees cover plenty of basics, including microchipping, vaccinations, deworming, flea treatment, and sterilization arrangements. That’s a welcome head start before your new roommate starts claiming the sofa.
There’s also a 30-day return window if the match genuinely doesn’t work out. The shelter may help pair you with another suitable pet instead.
The catch is that adoption fees aren’t refunded, even if you return the animal. You’ll also need to pay for a veterinary exam within two weeks, and shelter visits are by appointment only.
Grateful for Wonderful No-Kill Shelter
We are incredibly grateful and thankful for this amazing organization that puts so much effort into helping pets find a home and being a no-kill shelter. We just adopted an amazing little one-year-old toy poodle that we immediately fell in love with. We just had to put down our 14-year-old Maltese and did not plan on getting another dog, but we are very happy we did through LAWS. Please help support their efforts.
- Pete Goderre | Google Reviews
Helpful Staff and Caring Rescue Organization
On two separate occasions, the LAWS staff has been really helpful and kind. My friends and I found an abandoned box of kittens and mother cat last year, and even though they were already over capacity at the shelter, they took the cats in to nurse them back to health. And just recently, they helped my girlfriend and me find the perfect cat for ourselves, and we couldn’t be happier!
- Brad Dubeau | Google Reviews
5. Rocky Road Rescue
Areas Served: Ottawa, ON and surrounding areas
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Hours vary. Contact for availability
I’m a fan of Rocky Road Rescue’s foster-first setup because dogs get to show who they really are outside a kennel. Each one spends at least two weeks in care for veterinary checks and behavioural assessment.
The rescue also covers essentials like vaccines, sterilization, microchipping, and dental work when needed. That can mean fewer medical surprises once your new sidekick finally claims the best spot on the couch.
I also like that support doesn’t vanish after adoption day. Their team can still point you toward trusted trainers, vets, and adjustment advice down the road.
The catch is you must live within two hours of Ottawa to adopt. Unsuccessful applicants also aren’t individually notified, so silence may unfortunately be your answer.
Dedicated Volunteers and Caring Organization
A truly amazing organization full of dedicated volunteers. I have had contact with this organization a few times over the past few years – each experience very good. Most recently, we fostered and then adopted our second dog with Rocky Road. The entire process from beginning to end was well thought out, and we were fully supported by the volunteers throughout. You can tell that these people really care about each dog. Our beautiful boy is everything we could want in a second dog and more.
- Dominique Van Es | Google Reviews