What can you expect
when you apply to adopt a pet from a reputable Nova Scotia Rescue Group
or Shelter?
- You will need to fill out an adoption
application
- Personal references will be required
- They will want the name of your vet and
contact information for their animal clinic
- You'll be asked about the pets you have
now, as well as the ones you have had in the past
- Yes ... they will ask about your living
accommodations and whether you own or rent
- Most will probably ask what you feed
your pets and where your pets sleep
So why would anyone want to go to all that
trouble?
- your new best friend will be vet
checked and vaccinated and spayed or neutered,
- known health issues are not swept under
the rug,
- any behavior issues will be fully
disclosed
- follow up advice and support is
available, and
- if things aren't a success for any
reason, you will not have to wonder what to do .... the pet must be
returned to the rescue.
In other words .... reputable rescues make
every effort to match the right pet to the right human so that the
relationship can last a lifetime. The free online ad sites, pet stores
and backyard breeders can only offer a curbside guarantee and often
offer unnecessary heartache and expense to pet owners.
Webmaster Note: If you adopt a pet from a
rescue listed on this website, and your experience does not meet the
abovementioned criteria, please let us know.
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| Animal
Rescue Coalitions , often referred to as ARC,
usually have a least a couple of cats in their care, but their primary
focus is dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages. ARC does not have a shelter
and all their adoptables are in foster care. Their website has both
online adoption and foster applications.
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Sheltering Helpless Animals In Distress, more
commonly known as SHAID, is a small shelter for cats, dogs, rabbits and
rats. It is located just outside Bridgewater, and is augmented by a
network of foster parents. Adoption applications are available at the
shelter or by emailing SHAID.
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| Companion Animal
Protection Society, or CAPS, are quick to tell
visitors to their website that they are 'cat and dog people. That being
said, CAPS does have the largest listing of cats of any NS group or
shelter. All their adoptables begin their journey at Annapolis County
Animal Control and are either fostered at their lovely Cat Cottages or
in private foster homes.
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The LA Animal Shelter
is located near Amherst and primarily focuses on cats and dogs. Some of
their adoptables are in foster care, so visitors interested in a
specific pet should inquire before visiting. Contact information for
their Cat and Dog adoption agents is available on their website.
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| Bide Awhile
is located in Dartmouth and , while they do
accept a few dogs at the shelter are primarily focused on cats.
Prospective adopters must phone the shelter for an appointment to
visit. Adoption applications are filled out at the shelter.
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Maritime Horse Protection Society is located
near Bridgewater and provides sanctuary, rehabilitation and second
chances for horses. They are part of the Canadian Farm Animal Care
Trust and are focused on long term placement for those in their charge. |
| Pick of the Litter
Society is located in the HRM area and
specializes in neonatal care for orphaned kittens and puppies. They
are the 'go to' experts in this field in Nova Scotia and often
collaborate with other rescues. Anyone interested in adopting kittens
when they are old enough to leave foster care should email the rescue to
discuss the adoption procedure and the current infants available.
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| Atlantic Small
Dog Rescue works with a network of foster
homes. While they normally specialize in finding homes for small dogs
of all ages, they do have the occasional 'honorary' small dog
available. Their adoption application is available on their website.
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| Hope for Wildlife Society
do NOT adopt out animals. They are a wildlife rehabilitation and
educational center that is operated on a volunteer basis. They are
listed here on this site primarily as a resource for questions and
concerns. It should be noted that none of the other private Rescue
Groups, Breed Rescues or SPCA branches are mandated to rescue wildlife.
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Ssafe Haven
Society fill a specialized niche. They rescue
and rehabilitate reptiles and amphibians. In addition, they provide
education and hands on training for Nova Scotia Reptile owners. Each
fall they put on an annual Reptile Expo that is well worth the visit.
Adoption applications are available on their website. |
| PET Projects
is located in Shelburne County and rescue cats and dogs in the
community. In addition, they have a 'Roof over Rover' campaign, work to
rehome chained and penned dogs, provide community support for pet
retention and are engaged in TNR. Adoption applications are available
on their website.
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Atlantic All Dog
Rescue are a foster network focused on
rescuing dogs of all sizes and ages in the Maritimes. While many of
their foster homes are located in PEI, they do adopt to Nova Scotia
residents. Email them for an adoption application.
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| The
Valley Animal
Shelter is located in Wolfville and is
operated out of the Wolfville Animal Hospital. They are focused on cats
and often rescue abandoned cats through Kings County Animal Control.
There is an adoption application on their website, but they still want
interested adopters to come in to the shelter to meet the cat(s) they
are interested in.
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Tiny Paws Dog
Rescue Canada - Nova Scotia Chapter are a
foster based network that often have adoptable small dogs in foster in
Nova Scotia. They rescue mixed breeds 20 lbs and under and purebreds
when breed rescue is unavailable to assist. Email them for an adoption
application.
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| Litters N
Critters is a foster based rescue that can
have all breeds and ages of dogs and cats. There are online application
on their website for adopting cats, dogs, fostering and surrendering
pets. |
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North Mountain Animal Sanctuary is located
near Kentville and focuses on small farm animal rescue. They are
also spearheading a project to provide emergency shelter for animals
belonging to women with abusive partners. |
| Paws Across
Borders focuses on saving southern dogs on
death row who are often killed in gas chambers and by heart sticking.
Their adoptables live in a doggy day care environment and adoption
applications are available online on their
website |
| IMPORTANT NOTE: All
reputable rescue groups will keep all information in adoption
applications private and confidential.
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