A dog can bring so much happiness to life.
Getting a new dog just might be what you need.
One way to do it is through adoption.
But with so many different rescues…
Where do you start?
Sit back, relax, and…
Find out:
- The 13 best dog rescues in Alberta according to people’s reviews.
- All the services and programs that each rescue offers potential adopters.
- How to contact and get in touch with the different shelters in the community.
- And much, much more…
Table of contents
- 13 best dog rescues in Alberta
- #1: The Little Black Dog Rescue Group
- #2: Rosier Days Dog Rescue Society
- #3: Rocky Organization for Animal Rescue Society
- #4: Tails To Tell Animal Rescue
- #5: Walkin’ ‘N’ Waggin’ Surrender Shelter
- #6: Saving Grace Animal Society
- #7: Fostering Hope Animal Rescue Foundation
- #8: Rescue Friends Animal Foundation
- #9: Animal Haven Rescue League
- #10: Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society
- #11: Infinite Woofs Animal Rescue
- #12: Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue
- #13: Ottawa Dog Rescue
All the information on this list is taken from Google Maps and Local Guides’ reviews. I rely on these given reviews as they are based on actual experiences by patrons. This list aims to provide all the necessary information people need at a glance.
With so many rescues all over the place, researching them one by one can take a lot of time. This data will help narrow down the choices.
Disclaimer: Ratings and reviews of every rescue are based on actual data at the time of writing this article. But keep in mind that all information may change without prior notice.
13 best dog rescues in Alberta
#1: The Little Black Dog Rescue Group
Rating: 5
Review: 31
Website: thelittleblackdog.org
Address: 4300 S Valiant Ct, Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: +12523678857
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Friday: 8 am- 5 pm
- Saturday-Sunday: 10 am- 6 pm
Social Media:
Services:
Adoption
All available dogs are listed on the shelter website. Further instructions are given only after you have chosen a dog.
Volunteering
The shelter is looking for assistance for the following:
- Foster communicators.
- Placement coordinators.
- Dog transport volunteers.
- Social media content creator.
Volunteer application form here.
Fostering
Interested fosters will be evaluated and interviewed by shelter staff.
Foster application form here.
#2: Rosier Days Dog Rescue Society
Rating: 5
Review: 4
Website: rosierdays.com
Address: Victoria, BC
Phone: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
Services:
Adoption
Home visits are required before an adoption application is approved.
Adoption fill-up form here.
Fostering
The shelter will shoulder all vet expenses and supplies for the dog being fostered.
Shelter staff will also assist fosters through the process.
Foster application form here.
#3: Rocky Organization for Animal Rescue Society
Rating: 4.8
Review: 42
Website: roarsociety.ca
Address: 4520 43 St, Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1B5, Canada
Phone: +14038446024
Opening Hours:
- Saturday- Sunday: Closed
- Monday-Friday: 1 pm- 4:30 pm
Social Media:
Services:
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities are always available at ROAR.
If you are interested, fill up the volunteer application form here.
Adoption
Dogs available for adoption are listed on the shelter website.
Adoption fees are as follows:
- Adult dogs- $350.
- Young dogs- $400.
- Senior dogs- $100.
#4: Tails To Tell Animal Rescue
Rating: 4.7
Review: 98
Website: tailstotell.ca
Address: 1017 Hammond Ave, Crossfield, AB T0M 0S0, Canada
Phone: +14039460400
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday-Sunday: 11 am- 5 pm
Social Media:
Services:
Adoption
All adoptions from the shelter include:
- Deworming.
- Spay and neuter.
- 14-day trial period.
- Initial veterinary check.
- Up-to-date vaccinations.
- Microchipping and tattoo.
- 1-month free insurance from 24 Pet Watch.
Volunteering
Volunteers are welcome at the shelter. Fill in their form to apply.
Application form here.
Reading tip: Adopting A Rescue Dog: The First 7 Days [Checklist]
#5: Walkin’ ‘N’ Waggin’ Surrender Shelter
Rating: 4.7
Review: 3
Website: wnwsurrendershelter.weebly.com
Address: 3807 52 Ave, Ponoka, AB T4J 1C8, Canada
Phone: +14037044369
Opening Hours:
Social Media:
Services:
Surrendering
You will need to fill up a surrender form before the shelter can process your application.
Surrenders will only be accepted once a foster home is available for your dog.
Surrender form here.
Adoption
Adoption fees include:
- Toy.
- Leash.
- Collar.
- Pet food.
- Pet bowls.
- Deworming.
- Vaccinations.
- Spay or neuter.
- Partial veterinary care.
#6: Saving Grace Animal Society
Rating: 4.6
Review: 155
Website: savinggracecanada.com
Address: 4932 Main St, Alix, AB T0C 0B0, Canada
Phone: +14037857427
Opening Hours:
- Sunday: Closed
- Saturday: 11 am- 3 pm
- Monday-Friday: 8 am- 8 pm
Social Media:
Services:
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities are currently closed due to COVID.
Adoption
All adoption processes are done through the shelter’s Facebook page.
Note: Appointments are only accepted via private message.
#7: Fostering Hope Animal Rescue Foundation
Rating: 4.6
Review: 33
Website: fosteringhoperescue.com
Address: 6874 52 Ave, Red Deer, AB T4N 4L1, Canada
Phone: +14035888064
Opening Hours:
- 10 am- 4 pm (Every day)
Social Media:
Services:
Adoption
The shelter requires all interested adopters to fill up an application form before they take further steps.
Adoption application form here.
#8: Rescue Friends Animal Foundation
Rating: 4.6
Review: 13
Website: rescuefriends.ca
Address: Calgary, Alberta
Phone: +15879974951
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
Services:
Fostering
Foster services are still needed by the shelter for more homeless dogs.
Apply to be a foster here.
Donating
Monetary donations will help cover medical fees, veterinary checks, evaluations, food, beddings, and more for the dogs in the shelter.
Adoption
Steps for adoption are listed on the shelter website.
Application form for potential adopters here.
#9: Animal Haven Rescue League
Rating: 4.6
Review: 5
Website: animalhavenrescue.ca
Address: Stettler, AB T0C 2L1, Canada
Phone: +14037416128
Opening Hours:
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday-Saturday: 9 am- 5 pm
Social Media:
Services:
Lost and Found
The shelter offers assistance and rescues lost and found pets.
Emergency contacts and hotline numbers are all found on the shelter website depending on what services you need.
Surrendering
Surrenders are done by appointment only.
Owners should supply the following requirements:
- Surrender fee.
- Proof of ownership.
- Approved appointment.
- Recent veterinary records.
- Printed and filled up surrender questionnaire.
You might also want to check out: 13 Mistakes When Adopting A Rescue Dog (Guide)
#10: Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society
Rating: 4.5
Review: 355
Website: N/A
Address: 5060 74 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2C 3C9, Canada
Phone: +14032507377
Opening Hours: N/A
- Saturday-Sunday: Closed
- Monday-Friday: 9 am- 5 pm
Social Media:
Services
For more information on their services and adoption requirements, please call the shelter.
You can also send an email and set up an appointment with the shelter for a visit.
#11: Infinite Woofs Animal Rescue
Rating: 4.4
Review: 229
Website: infinitewoofs.com
Address: 11519 160 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 3V9, Canada
Phone: +15879874340
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
Services:
Adoption
There are currently no animals at the shelter location. All animals are being cared for in foster homes.
Adoption is done through an online appointment and online application.
Adoption application form here.
Fostering and Volunteering
The shelter also accepts volunteers and foster applications.
Volunteers will be helping out by transporting dogs, picking up supplies, or driving dogs to veterinary appointments.
No volunteers will be working at their shelter location as of the moment.
For interested volunteers, please contact the shelter directly through phone or email.
Foster applications here.
Reading recommendation: 17 Critical Tips To Take Care Of A Rescue Dog (Guide)
#12: Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue
Rating: 4.3
Review: 207
Website: rockymountainanimalrescue.com
Address: Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Phone: +15872156400
Opening Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Social Media:
Services:
Rehabilitation
The shelter focuses on rehabilitating aggressive dogs until they are stable.
They work with the dogs either one-on-one or in packs, depending on what the dog needs to be adopted.
Adoption
All dogs are in foster homes, so adoption is done by schedule.
Fill out an adoption application form and wait for the shelter staff to schedule your meeting with the dog and their foster family.
Fostering
Foster help is greatly needed by the shelter due to the overwhelming amount of dogs in their care.
The rescue also encourages interested fosters to read their Foster Handbook before applying.
If interested, please fill out the Foster Application Form.
#13: Ottawa Dog Rescue
Rating: 4.1
Review: 167
Website: ottawadogrescue.com
Address: Greater Ottawa, Canada
Phone: N/A
Opening Hours:
- 8 am- 10 pm (Every day)
Social Media:
Services:
Veterinary Care
All rescued dogs of the shelter will be fully vetted before adoption.
This includes the following:
- Deworming.
- Spay or neuter.
- Full intake exam.
- Heartworm testing.
- Core vaccinations.
- Rabies vaccinations.
Volunteering
Ottawa Dog rescue is a shelter run by volunteers. There is no paid staff, so volunteers are welcome and encouraged!
Note: They are accepting volunteers based on the shelter’s needs, so please be patient when applying.
Surrendering
The rescue only accepts surrendered dogs depending on the evaluation.
There are cases where your dog can still be rehabilitated, and the shelter will help you with that.
But if you have no other options, fill out the Owner Surrender form here so the staff can review it. They will decide if the shelter can care for your dog.
Adoption
All adoption applications must be sent via online application directly to the rescue.
The staff will then review the application and let you know if you are approved or not to adopt a dog from the shelter.
Further instructions and processes will be given by the staff before you can meet your dog in their foster homes.