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How to Adopt a Cat in Canada

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Adopting a cat is a great experience that brings joy joy and companionship into your day-to-day life. Two years ago, I adopted my first cat in Canada in 2021. 

For that, I had to go through the whole adoption process and I learned many things that did not come from my general knowledge. 

In this article, I will give you a complete guide about how I adopt a cat in Canada and the process for doing that step by step. 

Step 1: Assess Your Readiness:

The first thing you need to understand having a cat is a great commitment and it will compromise your lifestyle and living situation. Cats lifespan is 15-20 years and they need daily care and attention. The most important matter is to ensure your family whether they are ready or not to have a cat. Also, you need to ensure that they are willing to take the responsibility to have a cat in their home. 

For simplicity, I asked myself some questions that I think are useful for everyone: 

  • Do I have enough time to stay with my new friend? 
  • Can I bear the cost of having a cat? 
  • Do I have space in my house for a cat? 
  • Where will I leave my cat if I am out for a few days? 
  • Do you prefer to stay in your country for the next 5-10 years? 
  • Do I properly research the difference between cats of different ages? 

 

For me, I was not sure about the last question. For that google and YouTube are great help. It is a lifetime commitment after all. So make sure you are on board before starting to welcome a cat into your home. Another important factor is leaving your home country for a long time. One of my cat owner friends had to leave the country for 4 years to study and he brought his cat with him. However, it is a very costly and hectic job to get a passport for your pet. Most of the airlines are not pet-friendly. So whether you have a passport for your cat, you might not take your pet with you, or it will cost you a huge plane fare. 

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Step 2: Research Adoption Options

The second most important part of the adoption process is research. There are various places where you can adopt a cat in Canada including: 

Animal Shelter and Rescues: There are several organizations like the SPCA, Humane Society, and various shelters that have cats available for adoption. 

Cat Rescues: You can contact some local specific cat rescues to focus on cats in need. Canada has a number of rescues where you can get your first cat. They might ask you several questions but all of these questions are quite similar. There are the questions you might face: 

  • Do you have specific allergies to cat hair? 
  • Do you own your house or are you in a rent? If you are in a rent, does your house policy permit pets? 
  • What type of cats do you want? Do you prefer indoor/outdoor/mixed types of cats? Do you have any preference for the age group of your cat? 

Online Platforms: Websites like Petfinder and Adopt a Pet list cats available for adoption from different shelters and rescues.

Step 3: Choose the Right Cat

Here my advice will be “DON’T RUSH”. You are going to stay with your new furry friend for the next 10-15 years. So take your time and think about what type of cat is the best choice for you logically while resting your emotions. 

If your rescue center has the option of fostering the cat to adopt, I will say you go for it. That will be the best opportunity for you to see if you and your cat are a good match. Don’t hesitate to reach out the shelter if you have any questions. 

Personally, I had some visits to local shelters and spent time with cats available for adoption. Also, I asked them a lot of questions about their history, personality, and any special needs they might have. 

While choosing a cat you might consider the following things:

  • Age: Kittens are more energetic and require time and training compared to aged cats. Adult cats are settled and may already be litter-trained. Generally, kittens are more friendly compared to the adult cat and they blend with you easily. 
  • Personality: Cats groom with personality. So, while choosing the cat, you need to ask the rescue shelter what type of personality it has. Some cats require extra attention while others prefer to be more independent. 
  • Health: Make sure the cat has been checked by a veterinarian and is up to date with vaccinations. 
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Step 4: The Adoption Application Form

The hard part is already done. Now you need to fill up a form. Generally, the application form can be downloaded from the rescue website. If not, the rescue center will give you the manual application form. 

In the application form you need to fill in your basic information, contact details, your accommodation situation, and your work schedule to know how many hours you are away from home. Some extra details I needed to add for my case are my family member details and how long I would be staying in Canada (As I was on my study permit then),  what would happen if I am out of town. 

 

Step 5: Home Visit and Approval

After submitting the form, a team from the rescue center will come to your house for a home check. However, they will contact you before arranging the home visit. The volunteer will meet you and your family members. He/she might ask your family members whether they are ready to have a cat. He/she might also see where the cat will be staying. 

Step 6: Recommendations

After completing the home check, the rescue center will give you some recommendations and feedback. They will suggest if any changes are needed. If everything is okay, then CONGRATULATIONS! You are ready to bring the cat into your home. But if there are problems, then they will tell you in detail and you need to acknowledge those issues. 

Step 7: Pay the Adoption Fee

The cost of adopting a cat in Canada varies from rescue to rescue. You are paying a fixed donation to the rescue center for the cat. The actual amount varies depending on where you are taking your cat from but expect to pay anywhere from $170-$460.

This donation covers the early vaccination & spay/neuter process.  

Step 8: Prepare Your Home

Before bringing your cat home, you need to make sure the following supplies: 

  • Litter box and Litter: Place the litter box in a quiet and accessible location for your cat.
  • Food and water bowls: You need to talk to the shelter before bringing your cat about the food habits of your cat’s health and age. 
  • Bedding: A comfortable bedding is required with a bed and a blanket.
  • Carrier: You need a carrier for the transportation of your cat. 
  • Schedule a Veterinary checkup: This can be done after the first week, but you need to schedule it before bringing your cat as your cat is coming to a new home and it might be difficult for it to adapt the new place. 

 

 

I think those are the important steps to follow to adopt a cat in Canada for the first time. Lastly, here are some popular rescue shelters in Canada details where you can gain proper knowledge about cats. 

Toronto Cat Rescue

Website: Toronto Cat Rescue

Contact: +1 (416) 538-8592 / info@torontocatrescue.ca

Adoption Fee: This varies depending on the age and health of the cat. Typically includes vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying/neutering.

Adoption Process: Prospective adopters are required to fill out an adoption application and undergo a screening process, which may include a home visit. Once approved, they can visit the shelter to meet available cats and complete the adoption paperwork.

Facebook Group: You can find Toronto Cat Rescue on Facebook here.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA)

Website: VOKRA
Contact: (604) 731-2913 ,info@vokra.ca

Adoption Fee: This varies depending on the age and health of the cat. Typically includes vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying/neutering.

Adoption Process: Interested individuals can browse the available cats on VOKRA’s website and fill out an online application form. A volunteer will then contact the applicant to arrange a home visit. If approved, they can complete the adoption process and bring the cat home.

Facebook Group: Find VOKRA on Facebook here.

BC SPCA

Website: BC SPCA

Contact: spca@bcspca.bc.ca

Adoption Fee: This varies depending on the age and health of the cat. Typically cludes vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying/neutering.

Adoption Process: Prospective adopters can view available cats on the BC SPCA’s website and fill out an online application form. A staff member will then contact the applicant to discuss the next steps, which may include a home visit. Once approved, they can complete the adoption process and bring the cat home.

Facebook Group: You can find BC SPCA on Facebook here.

These organizations work tirelessly to save and care for cats in need, providing them with shelter, medical attention, and ultimately finding them loving forever homes.

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I arrived Canada on 2021 as a graduate student!!​

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