Calgary has one of the most active dog rescue communities in Canada — over a dozen organizations (sometimes called “canine rescues” in more formal contexts) operate across the city and surrounding areas, each with a unique mission. From pulling dogs out of overcrowded shelters to rehabilitating strays and owner surrenders, Calgary canine rescue groups run almost entirely on volunteers, foster families, and donations — and together they save thousands of dogs every year.
LocalPetFinder brings together adoptable dogs from 135+ Calgary rescue organizations into one searchable platform — and we're always adding more. Instead of checking each rescue website individually, you can browse all available dogs in one place, filter by size, breed, energy level, or compatibility, and apply directly through the rescue. Every listing links straight to the rescue organization that manages the adoption process.
Whether you're looking for a specific breed, a puppy, a senior dog, or a calm apartment companion, Calgary's rescue community has options. Many rescues operate through foster homes, meaning the dogs have already been living in a home environment and their personality, house training status, and compatibility with kids, cats, and other dogs are well documented. This makes rescue adoption one of the most informed ways to find your next family member.
Below are all the rescue organizations currently featured on LocalPetFinder. Click any organization to see their available dogs, learn about their mission, and find a direct link to their website.
BARCS Rescue
Founded in 2012, BARC's Rescue is a volunteer-based Calgary-area charity that has transported close to 2,500 dogs across North America and internation...
Loved at Last Dog Rescue
Loved at Last Dog Rescue (LALDR) is a Langley, BC non-profit that rescues homeless dogs from BC and overseas and rehomes them in Metro Vancouver. All ...
Pet Save
Pet Save is a large volunteer-run rescue in Greater Sudbury, northeastern Ontario, rehoming dogs and cats through a foster network. It carries a big a...
West Coast Paws Dog Rescue
West Coast Paws Dog Rescue is a Langley, BC foster-based rescue that rehomes dogs from BC and international transports across Metro Vancouver. Every d...
SCARS
Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS) operates the Athabasca Second-Chance Country Refuge plus a Morinville Rescue Centre in the Edmonton area, ...
Ottawa Humane Society
Founded in 1888, the Ottawa Humane Society is one of Canada's oldest animal welfare organizations, operating its shelter at 245 West Hunt Club Rd, Ott...
Redemption Paws
Redemption Paws is a Toronto-based foster rescue placing dogs (and some cats) into permanent homes, with one of the largest adoptable rosters in the G...
St. John's Humane Services
The City of St. John's Humane Services is the municipal animal shelter for St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, taking in and rehoming dogs and cats...
Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary
Dog Tales is a combined dog rescue and horse sanctuary on 1405 19th Sideroad in King, Ontario (north of Toronto). Alongside the dog adoption programme...
Zoe's Animal Rescue
Zoe's Animal Rescue is a volunteer-run, shelterless dog and cat rescue in Edmonton, with every animal placed in a foster home until adoption. The Care...
Running Wild Rescue
Running Wild Rescue is a foster-based rescue serving southern Saskatchewan, with dogs in foster homes across Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and surroun...
Humane Society of Greater Niagara
The Humane Society of Greater Niagara, long known as the Lincoln County Humane Society, is the open-admission shelter serving St. Catharines and the N...
Beagle Paws
Beagle Paws is a volunteer-run, foster-based beagle rescue founded in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (with an Alberta branch). It focuses on re...
Montreal SPCA
Founded in 1869, the Montreal SPCA is Quebec's largest animal welfare organization and by far the biggest adoption operation in the province. Its cats...
SPA de la Mauricie
The SPA de la Mauricie serves Trois-Rivieres and the wider Mauricie region, taking in dogs and cats and rehoming them across central Quebec. It carrie...
SPA de l'Estrie
The SPA de l'Estrie is the main shelter for Sherbrooke and the Eastern Townships, handling dogs and cats for a largely francophone region. Listings an...
CB Rescue Foundation
CB Rescue Foundation is a registered non-profit dog rescue based in Calgary, Alberta, founded in April 2017 by Belinda and Colin Morrison, who began r...
Hamilton-Burlington SPCA
The Hamilton-Burlington SPCA serves Hamilton and Burlington, with adoption operations run through a public Shopify-based catalogue. Dogs, cats, and sm...
Pawsitive Match
Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation is a registered Canadian charity based in NE Calgary, formally incorporated in 2011 after founders began rescuing do...
Kingston Humane Society
The Kingston Humane Society is an open-admission shelter serving Kingston and the surrounding region of eastern Ontario. It takes in dogs, cats, and s...
Toronto Humane Society
The Toronto Humane Society at 11 River Street, Toronto (Charity # 119259513 RR 0001) is a full-service animal shelter offering shelter care alongside ...
ARF Alberta
The Animal Rescue Foundation of Alberta, known simply as ARF, is a no-kill rescue dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in need....
Central Alberta Humane Society
Central Alberta Humane Society (formerly the Red Deer SPCA, marking its 50th anniversary in 2026) operates from 4505 77 Street in Red Deer, taking in ...
Embrace a Discarded Animal Society
Embrace a Discarded Animal Society is a Surrey, BC rescue rehoming dogs and cats across Metro Vancouver, with each animal fostered and vetted before a...
Battlefords Humane Society
The Battlefords Humane Society serves North Battleford and the surrounding region (~140 km northwest of Saskatoon), taking in surrendered, stray, and ...
Pause 4 Change
Founded in 2012, Pause 4 Change Rescue Foundation is a 100% volunteer-run, foster-based dog and cat rescue in Calgary serving animals from rural Alber...
AARCS
Founded in 2006, the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society operates Safe Haven shelters in Calgary (5060 74 Avenue SE) and Edmonton with an on-site veter...
Edmonton Humane Society
Operating since 1907, the Edmonton Humane Society shelters and rehomes dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and rabbits from its 13620 163 Street NW facility...
New Hope Dog Rescue
New Hope Dog Rescue is a registered Canadian charity in Saskatoon that saves stray, abused, and abandoned dogs, including medical and special-needs ca...
Saskatoon Dog Rescue
Established in 2012, Saskatoon Dog Rescue is a volunteer-run foster network rehoming 200+ dogs a year (sometimes approaching 400). Dogs come in throug...
City of Toronto Animal Services
The City of Toronto Animal Services operates three municipal shelters: West (146 The East Mall), North (1300 Sheppard Ave W), and East (821 Progress A...
Proanima
Proanima is a non-profit that describes itself as a single point of service for animal services, running three centres including one in Montreal on bo...
Calgary Humane Society
Founded in 1922, the Calgary Humane Society is Calgary's primary humane society and has operated from its current facility since 2006. Programs includ...
Pit Bulls for Life Foundation
Pit Bulls for Life Foundation is a Stony Plain rescue in the Edmonton metro area dedicated to pit bull and bully-breed dogs. Adoption includes spay or...
BC SPCA
The BC SPCA is British Columbia’s largest animal welfare organization, with branches across the province caring for and rehoming dogs, cats, and other...
Heart and Soul Dog and Cat Rescue
Heart and Soul Dog and Cat Rescue Society was founded in late 2015 in Abbotsford, BC, when two small Fraser Valley rescues joined forces to address do...
Regina Humane Society
The Regina Humane Society is a facility-based registered charity (Charity # 119114064RR0001) located at 4900 Parliament Avenue, Regina, SK, providing ...
ARF Ontario
The Animal Rescue Foundation of Ontario (ARF Ontario) is a London-based, foster-based rescue serving southwestern Ontario. Every dog lives in a foster...
Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth
The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth (HSKWSP) operates adoption centres in Kitchener and Stratford, rehoming dogs, cats, and sma...
Hopeful Tails Dog Rescue
Hopeful Tails Dog Rescue is a Toronto-area, dogs-only foster rescue placing puppies and adult dogs into permanent homes. Each dog is fostered before a...
TEAM Dog Rescue
TEAM Dog Rescue is a Toronto-based, dogs-only foster rescue. Dogs live with vetted foster families, and each adoptable profile lists breed, gender, ag...
Ontario SPCA (Central Ontario)
The Ontario SPCA operates 5 central-Ontario branches all within Toronto adopter drive radius — Barrie (90km N), Orangeville (75km NW), Orillia (135km ...
Cochrane Humane Society
The Cochrane & Area Humane Society serves Cochrane and surrounding communities west of Calgary, providing shelter and adoption services for dogs and c...
Furball Force
Furball Force is a Calgary-based animal rescue focused on saving dogs from high-risk situations, operating through a foster network and community part...
Bright Eyes Dog Rescue
Bright Eyes Dog Rescue is a 100% volunteer-run registered charity based in Regina, Saskatchewan, focused on dogs. Every dog lives in a volunteer foste...
Northern Transitional Dog Rescue
Northern Transitional Dog Rescue (NTDR) is an Indigenous-founded rescue based near Dorintosh in northwest Saskatchewan, pulling stray and roaming dogs...
Guelph Humane Society
The Guelph Humane Society is an open-admission shelter serving Guelph and Wellington County in southwestern Ontario. It takes in dogs, cats, and small...
Save Our Scruff
Founded in 2014, Save Our Scruff is a Toronto-based, dogs-only foster rescue. Every dog lives with a vetted foster home before placement, with adopter...
Humane Society of Oakville, Milton & Halton
The Humane Society of Oakville, Milton & Halton (HSOMH) operates from 445 Cornwall Road in Oakville and serves as the Municipal Animal Services provid...
Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue
The Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue on Bayside Drive rehomes hundreds of cats and dogs each year for Saint John, New Brunswick and the surrounding Fundy...
Megan's Rescue Efforts
Megan's Rescue Efforts Society is a foster-based, 100% volunteer-run animal rescue in Calgary, Alberta, founded by Megan Steele. Operating with no cen...
Megan's Rescue Efforts
Megan's Rescue Efforts Society is a foster-based, 100% volunteer-run animal rescue in Calgary, Alberta, founded by Megan Steele. Operating with no cen...
Hull's Haven Border Collie Rescue
Hull's Haven Border Collie Rescue is a Winnipeg-area breed-specific rescue focused on Border Collies and Border Collie mixes. The breed needs more exe...
Peterborough Humane Society
The Peterborough Humane Society serves Peterborough and the Kawarthas region of central Ontario from its Animal Care Centre. It rehomes dogs, cats, an...
Humane Society London & Middlesex
The Humane Society London & Middlesex (HSLM) is London, Ontario's primary animal shelter, taking in and rehoming dogs, cats, and small animals from it...
Nova Scotia SPCA
The Nova Scotia SPCA is the province-wide animal welfare organisation, rehoming dogs, cats, and small animals from branches across Nova Scotia (Metro/...
Etobicoke Humane Society
Founded in 1987 as the Etobicoke Animal Welfare Society, the Etobicoke Humane Society (EHS) is an independent, 100% volunteer-run, no-kill shelter at ...
Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association
Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association operates a safe-haven facility at 12220 104 Avenue in Grande Prairie alongside a foster network, handling dogs...
Four Feet and a Heartbeat
Four Feet and a Heartbeat is a no-kill dog rescue on 6 acres in Lacombe, ~30km north of Red Deer. They serve adopters across Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan...
Barney's Furry Friends
Barney's Furry Friends is a Coquitlam-based, foster-based dog rescue serving Metro Vancouver, focused on matching each dog with a well-suited home thr...
Langley Animal Protection Society
Established in 2003 by Langley volunteers committed to improving animal sheltering standards, the Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS) operates th...
Humboldt & District SPCA
Established in 2007, the Humboldt & District SPCA serves Humboldt and central Saskatchewan (~100 km east of Saskatoon). The shelter handles dogs, cats...
Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter
Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter is Manitoba's first registered no-kill shelter, rehoming dogs and cats from its facility at 2727 Portage Avenue. Each dog ...
Penny's All Breed Animal Rescue
Penny's All Breed Animal Rescue is a Winnipeg foster-based rescue placing dogs (and the occasional cat) of every breed and mix. Animals are fostered a...
Ontario SPCA & Humane Society
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is a province-wide animal welfare organization running adoption centres and affiliated branches across Ontario, in...
Fetch + Releash
Fetch + Releash is a GTA-based, dogs-only foster rescue operating a foster-to-adopt model. Detailed profiles cover gender, age, weight, breed, energy,...
Ontario SPCA (Toronto Area)
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is the largest animal welfare organisation in the province, with 13 regional branches. Two are in the GTA orbit: D...
Ontario SPCA (Ottawa Area)
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society serves Eastern Ontario through three branches within Ottawa adopter drive radius: Pembroke (Renfrew County), Brock...
Fur-Ever Homes Rescue
Fur-Ever Homes Rescue is a Calgary foster-based rescue handling dogs (sorted into puppy, adult, and senior pools), cats, and kittens. Intake comes fro...
Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue
Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue is a foster-based dog and cat rescue operating since 2012 out of 314-222 Baseline Road in Sherwood Park, just east of Ed...
North Amity Dog Rescue Society
North Amity Dog Rescue Society (NADRS) is a foster-based rescue in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, taking in dogs from local and transport so...
Ontario SPCA (Sudbury)
The Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District Animal Centre is the main shelter for Greater Sudbury and northeastern Ontario, rehoming dogs and cats with full v...
Ruff Start Animal Rescue
Ruff Start Animal Rescue is a Didsbury-based registered charity (between Calgary and Red Deer) that places dogs through a foster network spanning Albe...
Baibao Rescue and Adoption Society
Baibao Rescue and Adoption Society is a North Surrey-based rescue rehoming dogs and cats across Metro Vancouver. Each animal lives in foster care with...
Border Paws Animal Shelter
Border Paws Animal Shelter is a Lloydminster rescue that takes in dogs and cats from the border city and its wide rural catchment on both sides of the...
Brandon Humane Society
Founded in 1946 (marking its 80th anniversary in 2026), the Brandon Humane Society is a no-kill shelter at 2200 17th Street East, Brandon, Manitoba. T...
Full Circle Rescue
Full Circle Rescue is a foster-based dogs-only rescue operating across Ontario, with adoption events held in Markham, Thorold, and Toronto. Dogs come ...
Rocky Road Rescue
Rocky Road Rescue is an Ottawa-based foster dog rescue operating since 2015. Per-pet profiles run unusually long — every dog's breed, age, energy, siz...
Sit With Me Dog Rescue
Founded in 2012, Sit With Me Dog Rescue is a 100% volunteer-run, Ontario-and-Quebec-based registered charity (# 835944240RR0001) rescuing dogs of all ...
Fredericton SPCA
The Fredericton SPCA on Hilton Road is the primary animal shelter for New Brunswick's capital region, rehoming dogs and cats for Fredericton and the s...
Alberta Homeward Hound Rescue Bureau
Alberta Homeward Hound Rescue Bureau (AHHRB) is a foster-based rescue with volunteers spanning Sherwood Park, Strathcona County, Fort Saskatchewan, Le...
CRD Animal Shelter
The CRD Animal Shelter, operated by the Capital Regional District at 5401 Pat Bay Highway, is the regional government's animal shelter serving Greater...
Broken Promises Rescue Society
Broken Promises Rescue Society is a volunteer-run rescue operating on Vancouver Island. Every animal is in foster care, with detailed profiles written...
We All Need a Rescue
We All Need a Rescue (WANAR) operates out of K9 Country Lodge just west of Saskatoon, taking in and rehoming dogs through a boarding-facility foster m...
North East SPCA
The North East SPCA, operating the Harry & Eve Vickar Shelter in Melfort, serves the northeast Saskatchewan region including Nipawin, Tisdale, and the...
Estevan Humane Society
The Estevan Humane Society is an open-admission, no-kill shelter serving Estevan and southeast Saskatchewan, taking in dogs and cats and adopting them...
Pets Purpose Animal Shelter Society
Pets Purpose Animal Shelter Society is a foster-based charity serving the Lloydminster area and northwest reserve-adjacent communities, rehoming dogs ...
Winnipeg Humane Society
Founded in 1894 and the oldest animal welfare organization in Manitoba, the Winnipeg Humane Society operates out of its 40,000 sq ft facility at 45 Hu...
Freedom Dog Rescue
Freedom Dog Rescue is an Ottawa-based, dogs-only foster rescue. Each adoptable profile lists breed, sex, age, and weight alongside a structured questi...
People for Animal Wellbeing
People for Animal Wellbeing (PAW, formerly the Greater Moncton SPCA) is Atlantic Canada's largest animal shelter, taking in more than 3,000 animals a ...
Calgary Animal Rescue
Calgary Animal Rescue Society is a foster-based volunteer rescue operating without a central facility, matching dogs and cats from Alberta, across Can...
Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue
Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue is a Calgary-based, foster-only registered Canadian charity (since 2000) that rehomes dogs and cats through approved fost...
Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society
GEARS (Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society) is a volunteer-run, foster-home-based registered Canadian charity (BN 822791430RR0001) covering Edmonto...
Victoria Humane Society
Founded in 2013, the Victoria Humane Society is a foster-based dog and cat rescue operating without a dedicated shelter facility, currently fundraisin...
Dog Bless Rescue Partners
Founded in 2005 and based in Victoria, BC, Dog Bless Rescue Partners is a registered non-profit that rescues small and medium-sized dogs from American...
Saskatoon Animal Control Agency
The Saskatoon Animal Control Agency (SACA) has operated the City of Saskatoon Animal Pound at 5028 Clarence Avenue South since January 1, 2024, provid...
D'Arcy's ARC
D'Arcy's Animal Rescue Centre operates from 730B Century Street in Winnipeg, receives no government funding, and supports its rescue work through comm...
Swan Valley Animal Protection League
The Swan Valley Animal Protection League (SVAPL) serves Swan River and the surrounding Swan Valley region of western Manitoba, rehoming dogs and cats ...
Westman Animal Rescue
Westman Animal Rescue serves Boissevain and the Westman region of southwestern Manitoba, rehoming dogs and cats through a foster-home network. The res...
Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue
Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue is a Winnipeg-based rescue for Great Pyrenees and large-breed mixes, placing dogs through foster homes across Manitoba....
Earthdog Terrier Rescue
Earthdog Terrier Rescue is a Winnipeg foster-based rescue for terriers, terrier mixes, and other dogs in need. Each dog is fostered and vetted before ...
For the Love of Dogs Ottawa
For the Love of Dogs Ottawa (FTLOD) is an Ottawa-based foster rescue that frequently transports dogs from Hawaii, the US south, and rural Ontario into...
Paws For Love
Paws For Love is a foster-based dog rescue in Thunder Bay, northwestern Ontario, placing dogs into homes across the region. Each dog carries a foster-...
SPCA Laurentides-Labelle
Based in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle serves the Laurentians north of Montreal and has operated without non-essential euthana...
SPA de Quebec
The SPA de Quebec is the principal adoption organization for Quebec City and the Capitale-Nationale, taking in abandoned, lost and mistreated animals....
SPCA de l'Outaouais
Serving Gatineau and the Outaouais since 1984, the SPCA de l'Outaouais is a registered charity rehoming dogs and cats across the region and across the...
Heaven Can Wait
Founded in 1999 by Kim Hessel following an animal abuse case in High River, Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation serves High River and the surroun...
Wag-a-Muffin
Wag-a-Muffin Rescue is a small, dedicated Calgary-area rescue that focuses on saving and rehoming dogs through their foster network....
Windy City Canine Rescue
Windy City Canine Rescue is a Lethbridge-area volunteer foster rescue focused exclusively on small dogs since September 2023, when the limitations of ...
Delta Community Animal Shelter
The Delta Community Animal Shelter is the municipal animal shelter for the City of Delta, BC, rehoming dogs, cats, and small animals. Each adoptable p...
Victoria Pet Adoption Society
Victoria Pet Adoption Society (VPAS) is a foster-based rescue in Victoria, BC. Cats and dogs come into care through partner intake and stay with foste...
BC SPCA Vancouver Branch
BC SPCA Vancouver Branch is the largest BC SPCA facility in Metro Vancouver, located at 1205 E 7th Ave. The branch also operates the non-profit Vancou...
BC SPCA Victoria Branch
BC SPCA Victoria Branch is the main BC SPCA facility on southern Vancouver Island, located at 3150 Napier Ln. Runs adoption for dogs, cats, and small ...
BC SPCA Kelowna Branch
BC SPCA Kelowna Branch is the main BC SPCA facility in the Okanagan, located at 3785 Casorso Rd adjacent to the Kelowna Recovery & Adoption Barn. The ...
BC SPCA Nanaimo Branch
BC SPCA Nanaimo Branch is the main BC SPCA facility in central Vancouver Island, located at 154 Westwood Rd. The branch holds the animal control contr...
BC SPCA Kamloops Branch
BC SPCA Kamloops Branch is the main BC SPCA facility in the Thompson region of BC, located at 2816 Tranquille Rd. The branch also operates a non-profi...
Richmond Animal Protection Society
Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is a no-kill animal services agency based in Richmond, BC (201-13340 Smallwood Place), with roots dating to ...
Edmonton Animal Care & Control Centre
Edmonton Animal Care & Control Centre is the City of Edmonton municipal facility for animal services, handling stray intake, owner surrenders, and ado...
CC RezQ's
CC RezQ's is a Regina-based, foster-based dog rescue that has been placing rescued dogs since 2014. Every dog lives in a volunteer foster home and com...
Saskatoon SPCA
The Saskatoon SPCA is a registered charitable facility-based shelter at 2250 Hanselman Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, providing shelter, care, and nutrition t...
Prince Albert SPCA
The Prince Albert SPCA operates from 1125 North Industrial Drive and holds the animal-control contract for the City of Prince Albert. They take in dog...
Moose Jaw Humane Society
The Moose Jaw Humane Society operates from 1755 Stadacona St W and shelters about 1,000 animals a year across dogs, cats, and small animals (rabbits, ...
SPCA Swift Current
The SPCA Swift Current serves Swift Current and the surrounding southwest Saskatchewan region, taking in dogs and cats and adopting them out after vet...
Lucky Paws Dog Rescue
Lucky Paws Dog Rescue is a Regina foster-based rescue that has placed hundreds of dogs across southern Saskatchewan, including the Fort Qu’Appelle and...
Manitoba All Shepherd Rescue
Manitoba All Shepherd Rescue has been helping dogs since 2006, focusing on German Shepherds and shepherd crosses around Winnipeg. Every dog is fostere...
Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue
Founded in January 2011 as a non-breed-specific rescue, Manitoba Mutts is a foster-based registered charity taking in dogs from across Manitoba. Every...
Pembina Valley Humane Society
The Pembina Valley Humane Society operates from 462 Jefferson Street in Morden, Manitoba, and has run for over 20 years across the Pembina Valley regi...
Grateful Friends Animal Rescue
Grateful Friends Animal Rescue is a Winnipeg-area foster-based rescue placing dogs, cats, and kittens. Animals are fostered and vetted in-home before ...
Wayward Whiskers
Wayward Whiskers is a Winnipeg foster-based rescue placing cats and the occasional dog. Animals are fostered in-home and vetted before adoption....
Before the Bridge
Before the Bridge is a Manitoba rescue focused on senior and hospice dogs, giving older dogs foster care and adoptive homes for their remaining years....
Winnipeg Boxer Rescue
Winnipeg Boxer Rescue is a long-running foster-based rescue placing Boxers and Boxer mixes across Manitoba. Volume is small and breed-specific, with e...
Homeless & Injured Animal Rescue of Canada
Homeless & Injured Animal Rescue of Canada (HIARC) is a Manitoba rescue based in the Crystal City area, taking in dogs and cats including injured and ...
Tails of Freedom Rescue
Tails of Freedom Rescue is a Winnipeg foster-based rescue placing cats and dogs, with a large cat and kitten program. Each animal is fostered and vett...
Windsor/Essex County Humane Society
The Windsor/Essex County Humane Society is an open-admission shelter serving Windsor and Essex County in southwestern Ontario. It takes in dogs, cats,...
Ontario SPCA (Thunder Bay)
The Ontario SPCA Northwest Animal Centre in Thunder Bay is the main shelter for Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario, taking in dogs, cats, and other ...
How Dog Rescue Works in Calgary
Rescue vs. Shelter: What's the Difference?
A shelter (like Calgary Humane Society) is a physical facility where animals are housed. A rescue (like AARCS or Pawsitive Match) is typically foster-based — dogs live in volunteer homes until adopted. Both accept applications and charge adoption fees that cover veterinary care, spay/neuter, and vaccinations. Many Calgary organizations operate as both.
The Adoption Process
Each rescue has its own process, but most follow a similar pattern: browse available dogs, submit an application, pass a reference or home check, attend a meet-and-greet, and finalize the adoption. Some rescues approve same-day; others take one to two weeks. Adoption fees in Calgary typically range from $200 to $500 and include veterinary basics.
Why Adopt from a Rescue?
Rescue dogs are often already house-trained, socialized, and assessed for temperament. Foster-based rescues can tell you exactly how a dog behaves in a home — with kids, cats, other dogs, and alone. You're also freeing up a foster spot for another dog in need, creating a ripple effect that saves more lives.
Want to Help Without Adopting? Foster or Volunteer.
Most Calgary rescues are foster-based and constantly need foster homes — every foster home opens space for another dog to be pulled from a high-risk situation. See our Calgary foster program comparison for the full list of rescues. Can't foster? Browse 40+ volunteer opportunities — dog walking, events, transport, photography, or remote admin roles.
Browse Rescue Dogs by Category
Dog Rescue Calgary FAQ
How many dog rescue organizations are in Calgary?
There are dozens of dog rescue organizations in the Calgary area. LocalPetFinder currently aggregates dogs from 135+ rescues, including Calgary Humane Society, AARCS, Pawsitive Match, ARF Alberta, and many more. We are continually adding new organizations to provide the most comprehensive view of adoptable dogs in Calgary.
Is “canine rescue” the same as “dog rescue” in Calgary?
Yes — they refer to the same thing. “Canine rescue” is the more clinical or formal term (used by veterinary professionals, animal welfare organizations, and a few Calgary-area organizations like Almost Home Canine Rescue), while “dog rescue” is the everyday term. Both describe non-profit organizations that take in dogs from shelters, strays, or owner surrenders and place them with adoptive families. The 135+ rescues featured on LocalPetFinder are all canine rescues, regardless of whether they use the word in their name.
How do I volunteer with a Calgary dog rescue?
Most Calgary rescues need foster homes, event volunteers, and transport drivers. Visit the rescue's website directly to find their volunteer application. Fostering is the most impactful way to help — you provide a temporary home while the rescue covers food and veterinary costs. Click on any rescue above to visit their website.
Can I surrender my dog to a Calgary rescue?
Many Calgary rescues accept owner surrenders, though availability depends on their current capacity. Contact the rescue directly to discuss your situation. Calgary Humane Society has the most capacity for emergency surrenders. Most rescues will ask about your dog's temperament, health history, and reason for surrender to ensure a good placement.