Before you say hello.

Yes, anyone can adopt a cat or dog, but we do have a screening process. Potential adopters are asked to complete an application form giving details of how they plan to care for their pet and providing us with references to help us make our decisions. We always try to match an animal with an appropriate home, which sometimes means you may not be approved for the particular animal that you want. Application forms can be found on our Adopt page.

If an animal is brought in by canine control, the owners have 3–5 days (time varies depending on which municipal unit you live in) to claim their animal. After that the shelter is allowed to put the animal up for adoption.

Yes, there is an adoption fee for all animals. Fees vary depending on the type and age of the animal.

There is no fee for surrendering any animal, but donations are always appreciated. There is a small amount of paperwork that is required when surrendering an animal to our shelter.

Dogs and cats that are not coping well with kennel life are fostered out, if possible. This would include very young dogs and cats, small dogs, older ones, and dogs and cats with specific health issues. Sometimes we foster out dogs with behaviour problems to help them to learn to behave in a home environment. We are always looking for more good, knowledgeable foster homes. Why not consider opening your home to a pet in need?

While the Municipality of Cumberland and some of the townships give some financial support, most of the money needed to run the shelter is collected through the fundraising efforts of a number of dedicated volunteers.

Yes, there is a pick-up fee to be paid to the Municipality of Cumberland and Towns, as well as a daily kennel fee. Fees for pick-up are determined by each municipal unit as referenced in the by-laws for each municipal unit. When an animal is brought to the shelter, it will be dewormed and receive a flea treatment. It will be examined by shelter staff and if it is determined that it requires medical attention, it will be transported to the Amherst Veterinary Clinic. Any fees associated with these treatments and any other costs incurred while the animal is in the care of the shelter will be the sole responsibility of the owner and will be due at the time of pick-up. The staff at the shelter will explain how much is owed for your particular animal. The shelter reserves the right to request proof of ownership before releasing any animal from our care.

Microchipping offers pet owners the only truly permanent method of identifying your pet and linking the animal back to his or her owner. Animal microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are typically implanted just beneath the skin between the shoulder blades by a trained staff person. The process is no more painful to your pet than a vaccination.

The shelter is a no-kill shelter, which means that once an animal comes into our care, we will keep it until it finds a home. We will only euthanize an animal that is terminally ill or has dangerous behaviour problems.

No, the shelter is not affiliated with the SPCA. We are an independent shelter, supported through our own fundraising effort.

Puppies should be permitted to stay with their mother and siblings until they are at least 8 weeks of age. During this time, they will learn how to behave with other dogs and how to respect the authority of their mother, allowing them to be well-adjusted dogs and making them much easier to train. Puppies removed from their mothers too early may become nervous, fearful and difficult to house train.

While the shelter staff will always pass your call along to the appropriate person, it is best to call the Provincial SPCA at 1-888-703-7722. Your name will not be used in any investigation by the local SPCA agent.