Looking to Adopt a Pet in Canada? Try Petfinder

A woman hugging her dog with Petfinder logo

Petfinder.com is a database of hundreds of thousands of adoptable pets, from more than 13,000 shelters and rescue groups throughout North America, with over 600 active groups in Canada. More than 25 million pets across North America have found their forever home on Petfinder, including 40% of all pets adopted in Canada each year. Petfinder joined the Purina family in 2013.

Pet listings are maintained and updated daily by participating shelters and rescue groups. Through Petfinder’s database, you can search by breed, age, size, gender, location and more! When you find a pet you like, simply click “Adopt Me” to begin the application process with the pet’s shelter or rescue group. Use your postal code to find pets near you.

Purina works shoulder to shoulder with pet welfare experts, to inspire pet lovers to get more involved, to change perceptions of shelter pets and to create more powerful bonds between pets and people.

Check out the video below for some inspirational stories about how millions of pet parents have met their cuddle buddy, wing-man, family member and best friend on Petfinder.com!

Benefits of Adopting a Pet

If you’re thinking of bringing a new pet home, there are many benefits to adopting a pet – both for you and for your new furry friend. 

You Save Two Lives

When you adopt from an animal shelter, you’re saving the life of your pet by giving them a loving home. Also, you save the pet shelter, by giving them room to take in another animal as a result of your adoption.

You Know What You’re Getting

Many pet shelters and rescue groups provide behavioural assessments on adoptable dogs and veterinarian checks on all adoptable pets. Also, many of the pets on Petfinder are in foster care and live with their foster parents. Foster parents can share details about the pet’s likes, dislikes and personality.

You Can Find Your Perfect Pet

Each year, 6-8 million dogs and cats across North America enter shelters, in addition to countless other species. You can find nearly 300,000 adoptable pets on Petfinder at any given time, and up to 25% of shelter dogs are purebred. If you can’t find the perfect pet that you’re looking for, don’t give up hope! Remember, Petfinder’s listings are updated on a continual basis. Check back often – your perfect match could be waiting for you tomorrow.

You Save Money

Yes, your adoption fee can help you save money! Shelters and rescue groups usually cover initial veterinary costs, including:

  • Spay/neuter
  • Distemper vaccination
  • Rabies vaccination
  • Heartworm test
  • Flea/tick treatment
  • Microchip

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