• Preamble

    The Kingston Humane Society’s adoptions policy has been drafted to achieve a number of goals. First and foremost, our policies help to ensure the successful adoption of our animals into loving, forever homes. Second, we want to educate potential pet owners on what it means to provide ‘responsible pet ownership’. Third, our policies attempt to ensure a good match between the animals and the owner, through pre-adoption screening/interviewing. This process helps to reduce the return rate on the animals, thereby reducing their stress and improving their quality of life.

    While we realize there are many choices for new pet parents when deciding where to find their next special companion, we must help speak for those that cannot speak for themselves. Thus, we must ensure that people who want to adopt an animal, are truly prepared for the responsibility, and the financial commitment that will be required to care for that animal.

    We encourage you to read the adoption policies, and hope that you understand that they are in place, not to frustrate you and make the process more difficult, but to ensure the highest level of compatibility to make your pet’s adoption successful and forever.

  • The Pre-Qualification Interview

    All potential adopters will have to fill out the pre-qualification questionnaire. KHS staff will review the questionnaire and conduct an interview with the potential adopter to ensure that he/she will be able to provide adequate care for the animal, and that they demonstrate a reasonable understanding of basic animal husbandry.

    This questionnaire is used to match the adopters lifestyle with an appropriate companion, obtain personal and veterinary references, and to screen for potential conflicts that would violate our adoption guidelines.

    There may be a waiting period to adopt an animal, allowing for the KHS staff to verify information given on the adoption questionnaire, such as veterinary references, landlord’s policy to allow pets etc.

    PLEASE NOTE - The Kingston Humane Society will not approve an adoption application to a home with an unaltered animal. As an animal welfare organization, we experience the direct results of animal over-population. As such, we are staunch advocates of spaying/neutering all pets. We also acknowledge the veterinary benefits of alteration which include reducing the incidence of ovarian, uterine and prostate cancer and decreasing the tendency for animals to roam.

    THE KINGSTON HUMANE SOCIETY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ADOPTION OF ANY ANIMAL, TO ANY PERSON, FOR ANY REASON.

    By completing the pre-qualification questionnaire you are consenting to allow your references to provide information to us that will allow us to verify the information you give on the form.

  • Breach of Contract

    By signing our adoption contract you are entering into a contract with the Kingston Humane Society. Failure to comply with the terms of the agreement may constitute breach of contract and invoke this breach of contract policy.

    If an adopter is deemed by the Society to be in breach of contract, the Executive Director may declare the adoption null and void, and the adopter would be required to immediately turn over ownership and possession of the animal to the Society.

  • Temperament Evaluation

    All dogs have their temperament evaluated prior to being offered for adoption. This testing is only one tool that we use is assessing the adoptability of our animals.

    A TEMPERMENT EVALUATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE BEHAVIOR OF ANY ANIMAL. NO WARRANTY AS TO THE SUITABILITY OR PERSONALITY OF THE ANIMAL IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. ALL ADOPTIONS ARE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

    Any known animal behavioural concerns will be communicated to you. As well as any classifications given to the animal (such as no children under 12, or suitable for first time pet owner). These are for reference only, and may not prove to be accurate. Pets in shelter situations often exhibit different behavior than those in home situations. Any adoption requirements may be deemed mandatory by the Lead Kennel Attendant to ensure safety of both animal and/or adopter.

    The Details

    • Pick out the dog or cat you would like to adopt. Please note its case number and/or name.
    • Every adoption application is evaluated by staff, and references are checked.
    • This process can take up to 1-2 weeks due to the high number of animals in care and influx of applications.
    • A meet and greet will be required for dog adoptions, to families who already own a dog.
    • After adoption counseling, if it is deemed an appropriate match for you and the dog/cat the adoption is approved.
    • Sign the contract and other information.
    • Take home your new pet.

    WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

    Spay/Neuter, Health Check, Core Vaccinations, Rabies Vaccination (age appropriate), De-worming, Microchip, Temperament Assessment.

    SATELLITE ADOPTION CENTRES:

    Be sure to contact or visit these stores in the Kingston area to find out more about the KHS cats available at their locations.

  • Applications

    If you are considering adopting an animal, please complete the appropriate form below. You may email completed forms to customercare@kingstonhumanesociety.ca, fax forms to 613-546-3398 or bring completed forms to the shelter.

    DOG APPLICATION (PDF) CAT APPLICATION (PDF) SMALL ANIMAL APPLICATION (PDF)

  • Contracts

    To adopt a pet from the Kingston Humane Society you will need to print the following document, write out the current date and sign it.

    KHS ADOPTION CONTRACT

  • Satellite Adoption

    If you would like to meet a cat/small animal prior to adopting, please check each animal's bio and find one that shows the location as a pet store (ex. ‘Pet Valu’ or ‘Global Pet Foods’) to meet an animal in person! Various local animal care businesses have 1 or more of our shelter animals at their place of business. These animals are up for adoption, so please fill out an adoption application directly with these businesses. The Kingston Humane Society does not accept applications for these animals, you will have to go directly to the store’s location and apply. Our standard adoption policies still apply; however, there are some additional points that you should be aware of. Satellite adoption centre staff does not work for the Kingston Humane Society and are mandated to refer certain adoption matters directly to the Kingston Humane Society. They are given a more narrow set of policies that they may adopt under. We appreciate the exposure that the satellite centers bring to our Society, and ask you to help make sure the experience is beneficial to them. Returns are not allowed to satellite centers. After the adoption, any questions or concerns should be directed to the Adoptions Coordinator at KHS. In the event that the satellite adoption centre reviewing your adoption form is not able to complete the adoption, or you are not selected, then please reach out to the adoption coordinator at the Kingston Humane Society (customercare@kingstonhumanesociety.ca). Please understand that the satellite staff member reviewing this form is not allowed to discuss those reasons with you. This is to protect our satellite centre staff from trying to explain policy or decisions that they have no control over.

ADOPTION FEES

DogsPrice
Puppy 480.00
Adult Dog 375.00
Senior or Special Needs Dog 300.00

More Details

All animals are spayed/neutered, up to date with core and rabies vaccinations, deworming, and flea treatment prior to adoption.

  • “Altered” = Spayed or Neutered.
  • “Puppies” are defined as Dogs under 12 months of age.
  • “Senior” dogs are at least 7 years of age.
  • Dogs are deemed a “Select Breed” or “Special Needs” at the staff’s discretion.
DOG APPLICATION (PDF)
CatsPrice
Kitten 250.00
Adult Cat 180.00
Senior or Special Needs Cat 120.00
Senior for Seniors Cat 100.00

More Details

All animals are spayed/neutered, up to date with core and rabies vaccinations, deworming, and flea treatment prior to adoption.

  • “Kittens” are defined as cats under 6 months of age.
  • “Senior” cats are at least 7 years of age.
  • Cats are deemed “Select Breed” or “Special Needs” at the staff’s discretion.
  • Altered = spayed or neutered.
CAT APPLICATION (PDF)
AnimalsPrice
Unaltered Rabbit 20.00
Sprayed / Neutered Rabbit 50.00
Guinea Pig 25.00
Ferret 60.00
Chinchilla 50.00
Hamster / Gerbil / Degu / Rat 15.00
Mouse 10.00
Small Bird 25.00
Large Bird 60.00+
Other Exotics 50.00+

More Details

    • Small Birds: Budgies, Parakeets, Finches, Cockatiels, etc.
    • Large Birds: Parrots, Cockatoos, etc.
    • “Exotics” are at the staff’s discretion.
SMALL ANIMAL APPLICATION (PDF)
Apply Online

Thank you for your interest in our Barn Buddies Program!

The Barn Buddies program is reserved for cats that have personality tendencies that make them unsuitable as indoor cats, in order to provide them with a life that matches their needs.

Homes must provide food, water, and shelter at all times. Owners will also be responsible for taking over any veterinary care requirements for their barn cats. Cats will be transferred out through a no-charge adoption fee.

Every barn cat will be:

  • Spayed/neutered
  • Up-to-date on rabies and provided with as many core vaccines as possible
  • Microchipped
  • Treated with deworming and flea treatment






Your Information

Name
Address
Contact

References

Veterinarian (for first time pet owners, please include a 2nd personal reference)
Personal (non-family)
Personal 2 (for first time pet owners)
Employer

The KHS reserves the right to refuse adoption to any individual. We will not release the reason for refusal.