← Back to All Canadian Dogs

Dogs for Rehoming in Canada

132 dogs being rehomed directly by their owners, across 37 cities

Showing 132 dogs

Looking for a dog being rehomed by their owner? These dogs are listed directly by their families, not by shelters. You get the full story from the person who raised them: how they are with kids, cats, and other dogs, their routine, and why they need a new home. Owners' emails are verified, every listing is reviewed before it goes live, and contacting an owner is free.

Dogs for rehoming by city

Owner listings are spread thin, so it is worth checking nearby cities too.

Calgary19Winnipeg11Toronto10Ottawa6Edmonton5Hamilton5Montreal4Vancouver4Kamloops3Kelowna3London3Mississauga3Barrie2Brandon2Grande Prairie2Kitchener2Lethbridge2Lloydminster2Morden2Saint John2Abbotsford1Brockville1Fredericton1Gatineau1Midland1Moncton1Nanaimo1Orangeville1Pembroke1Peterborough1Regina1St. Catharines1St. John's1Thunder Bay1Victoria1Whitby1Windsor1

Adopting a rehomed dog is different from adopting through a shelter, and often in good ways. The dog goes straight from one home to another, skipping the stress of a kennel. You can ask the owner anything: what food the dog eats, how they handle thunderstorms, whether they pull on leash. That kind of first-hand history is something even the best rescue can rarely provide.

Most rehomings happen because life changed for the family, not because anything is wrong with the dog. A move, a new baby, a health issue, a schedule that no longer fits a young dog's energy. Every listing includes the owner's reason in their own words, and we encourage you to ask follow-up questions before meeting.

Owner listings are a small share of what is available on any given day. If you don't see the right match, browse rescue dogs from shelters across Canada or look for a cat being rehomed by their owner. New rehoming listings are published within a day or two of submission.

Need to rehome your own dog?

List them free. Your email stays private and your listing appears alongside rescue dogs.

Rehome Your Dog →

Dog Rehoming in Canada: Common Questions

Tap a question to expand

Where can I find dogs for rehoming near me?▼
Right here. LocalPetFinder lists dogs being rehomed by their owners across Canada alongside rescue listings, so you can browse both in one place. Every listing shows the city, why the dog is being rehomed, how they are with kids, cats, and other dogs, and a direct way to reach the owner. Use the city links on this page to narrow to your area, or browse the full national list below.
What does owner rehoming mean?▼
Owner rehoming means the dog is being placed in a new home directly by the family that owns them, without going through a shelter. You get the dog’s full history from the person who knows them best: how they are with kids and other pets, their routine, their quirks. For the dog, it means going straight from one home to another instead of spending weeks in a kennel.
Are there free dogs in Canada?▼
Sometimes. Some owners rehome without a fee, and each listing shows the fee up front, including when it is $0. That said, a small rehoming fee is usually a good sign rather than a cost to avoid. It filters out people who collect free animals for resale or worse, which is a real problem on classifieds sites. If a free dog is the right match for you, adopting one through a platform where the owner’s email is verified is much safer than a "free to good home" post.
Why do owners rehome their dogs?▼
The most common reasons have nothing to do with the dog: a move to housing that does not allow pets, a new baby, a health change, a divorce, or a work schedule that no longer leaves time for a high-energy dog. Each listing includes the owner’s reason in their own words, so you can judge the situation yourself and ask follow-up questions directly.
Is adopting a rehomed dog safer than buying from Kijiji or Facebook?▼
Generally, yes. LocalPetFinder verifies each owner’s email, keeps their contact details private until they respond to you, and reviews every listing before it goes live. We also publish safety guidance for meeting, vetting, and transferring a dog in a private rehoming. Classifieds sites do none of that. No platform can vet a private rehoming completely, so still meet in person, ask for vet records, and trust your judgement.
How do I contact an owner about a dog?▼
Open the dog’s profile and use the contact form. Your message goes to the owner’s verified email, and they reply to you directly. The owner’s email address is never shown publicly. From there you arrange a meet and greet, ask about vet records and behaviour, and settle the details between you.
Can I adopt a rehomed dog from another province?▼
You can, but plan the logistics before you fall for a photo. Every listing shows the dog’s city, and most private rehomings work best when both people can meet in person, more than once if the dog is nervous. Long-distance rehoming means arranging ground transport or flights at your own cost, and it removes the meet-and-greet that makes owner rehoming safer than a classifieds sale. Start with the cities nearest you.
How do I adopt a rehomed pet in Canada?▼
If you searched "adopt a pet rehome" or "pet rehoming near me", this is the national version of exactly that. Browse the dogs listed by their owners below, open a profile, and contact the owner through the form. There is no shelter application queue: you deal with the current owner directly, meet the dog in their home, and agree on the handover between you. Looking for a rehomed cat instead? There is a national cats-for-rehoming page too.