How to Adopt a Kitten or Cat in Canada | PetzLover
To adopt a kitten or cat in Canada, choose an SPCA, humane society, city shelter or foster-based rescue, fill in its application, meet the cat and pay the adoption fee: C$75 for a cat at Toronto Animal Services, for example, or C$225 for a cat and C$300 for a kitten at Toronto Humane Society. The fee usually covers vet work that would cost far more on its own, such as a spay or neuter, which the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association's 2025 figures put at about C$786 to C$972.
There is no shortage of cats to choose from. Humane Canada's 2019 statistics show participating shelters took in more than 78,000 cats, nearly three times as many as dogs.
Key points
- Adopt from an SPCA, humane society, city shelter or rescue you can check; in Quebec every shelter must hold a provincial permit.
- Expect an application, a conversation with a counsellor and a meeting with the cat before you sign.
- Fees vary by organization and city; ask exactly what is included, such as spay or neuter, vaccines and a microchip.
- An adult cat's personality is already known, which helps with children, other pets and first-time owners.
- After adoption, license the cat where required; Montreal gives a free first-year licence for cats adopted from Proanima or the Montreal SPCA.
Where can you adopt a cat in Canada?
| Source | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| SPCA or humane society | Cats live at an adoption centre or in foster homes | The BC SPCA says fees vary by animal and location |
| City shelter | Strays and surrendered cats, run by the municipality | Toronto Animal Services charges C$75 for a cat |
| Foster-based rescue | Volunteers place cats from their own homes | Often adds reference checks and a home visit |
| Owner's adoption listing | An owner or breeder places a cat directly | You hear the full history from the person who knows the cat |
In Quebec, anyone who takes in cats for adoption, from an SPCA to a pound, must hold a provincial shelter permit, which is a useful question to ask a new rescue. You can also search cats and kittens for adoption, filter by location and save the search to get alerts when a new cat is listed. If an owner is placing a cat privately, read taking in a rehomed cat.
How does the cat adoption process work?
- Browse the cats online and shortlist those that suit your home.
- Fill in an application about your household, home, other pets and routine.
- Talk with an adoption counsellor; answer honestly, because the aim is a lasting match.
- Meet the cat. For cats in foster homes, the first meeting may be virtual and a visit can follow a day or two later.
- Some rescues call your landlord or vet, check references or do a home or video visit.
- Sign the adoption contract, pay the fee and book the pick-up.
Toronto Humane Society describes this kind of process: an application, an adoption conversation, meeting the cat and finalizing the adoption if you and the counsellor agree it is a good match. City shelters are often simpler; Toronto Animal Services asks for identification with your current address, the fee, and if possible every family member present to choose the cat.
What does it cost to adopt a cat in Canada?
- Toronto Animal Services: C$75 for a cat.
- Toronto Humane Society: C$225 for a cat, C$300 for a kitten, with no tax on adoption fees.
- Shelters and rescues in general: about C$200 to C$500, according to Dial A Vet, a Canadian online vet service.
- BC SPCA: varies by animal and location; its fee includes spay or neuter, vaccinations, permanent identification and parasite treatment.
Compare that with buying the same work separately. The OVMA's 2025 figures, as reported by Money.ca, put spay or neuter at about C$786 to C$972, a microchip at about C$137 and a kitten's first-year vaccines and exams at about C$642.
Then budget for the licence: Toronto charges C$15 a year for a spayed or neutered cat, Calgary C$22, and Montreal C$13.60, free for the first year after adopting from Proanima or the Montreal SPCA.
Should you adopt a kitten, an adult cat or a senior?
- Kittens are playful and adaptable but need time, supervision and training, and their adult personality is still a guess.
- Adult cats have known personalities, so the shelter can tell you how a cat reacts to children, dogs or other cats. They often suit first-time owners and busy homes.
- Seniors are often calmer; ask about their teeth, kidneys and joints and any medication.
- Two cats that are already bonded can keep each other company; ask whether the shelter has a pair.
For most adopters, personality matters more than breed. If you choose a long-haired cat, ask how it accepts combing, because a long coat needs regular grooming to prevent painful mats.
How do you avoid cat adoption scams?
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns that animal frauds often start with ads for cheap or free animals, followed by requests for shipping, vaccination or insurance fees. Fake rescues use the same trick with an adoption fee.
- You cannot meet the cat or its foster, even by live video.
- The cat must be flown or driven to you, with fees paid in advance.
- The group has no address, no history and no application process, only a request for money.
- Payment is asked for by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or e-transfer to a personal name.
How do you help an adopted cat settle in the first weeks?
- Prepare one quiet room with food, water, a litter box, a scratching post and somewhere to hide.
- Let the cat come to you; many hide for the first days.
- Introduce other pets slowly, swapping scents before short supervised meetings.
- Book a vet visit within the first week or two, and keep the rabies vaccine current; Ontario requires it for cats over three months.
- Update the microchip and license the cat where required. Toronto requires every cat to wear its licence tag, and Calgary licences cannot be transferred from a previous owner.
- Keep the cat indoors while it settles. Calgary requires cats to stay on their owner's property, Toronto warns that roaming cats face cars, wildlife and disease, and the Ontario SPCA says cats are particularly vulnerable in the cold.
If you would rather start with a kitten from a breeder, see how to buy a kitten or cat. Shelters and owners placing cats can read how to list a cat for adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to adopt a cat in Canada?
Fees vary. Toronto Animal Services charges C$75 for a cat, Toronto Humane Society C$225 for a cat and C$300 for a kitten, and Dial A Vet puts shelter and rescue fees in general at about C$200 to C$500. Ask what the fee includes.
Where is the best place to adopt a cat in Canada?
Any SPCA, humane society, city shelter or established rescue that lets you meet the cat and tells you its history. Choose one near you so you can visit, and in Quebec check that it holds a shelter permit.
Can I adopt a kitten rather than an adult cat?
Yes. Shelters and rescues place kittens too, and Toronto Humane Society, for example, lists a C$300 kitten fee. Saving a search for adoption listings helps you hear about new kittens early.
Do adopted cats come spayed or neutered?
Usually. The BC SPCA, for example, includes spay or neuter, vaccinations and permanent identification in its fee. Policies differ between groups, so check what has been done and what is still due.
Do I need to license an adopted cat?
In many cities, yes. Toronto and Calgary require cat licences, and Montreal requires one for every cat but gives the first year free after an adoption from Proanima or the Montreal SPCA.
How long does an adopted cat take to settle?
It varies. Many cats hide for the first days and need a few weeks to feel at home. A quiet room, a steady routine and patience help most.
Helpful guides
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Kitten or Cat for Adoption in CanadaList a cat for adoption in Canada with written criteria, a fee that reflects the vet work, an honest profile, careful screening and a contract with a return clause.
Pet for SaleHow to Buy a Kitten or Cat in CanadaBuy a kitten or cat in Canada by meeting the seller and the kitten first, checking vet records and papers, and paying only after you see the animal; core first-year costs run about C$3,928 to C$4,114.
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Kittens and Cats in CanadaSell kittens or cats in Canada by checking provincial and city rules, keeping kittens with their mother to at least 8 weeks, giving vet records and an agreement, and taking payment in person.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Kitten or Cat in CanadaTake in a rehomed cat in Canada by asking for its history and records, meeting it at home, paying only at handover, then licensing it and giving it a quiet room to adjust.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Kitten or Cat Responsibly in CanadaRehome your cat responsibly in Canada: check your contract, see your vet, disclose health and behaviour honestly, screen new owners and hand over with an agreement and microchip transfer.
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Cat Wanted" Ad in CanadaBefore you answer a cat wanted ad in Canada, check that the person is real, can keep a cat where they live and will meet in person, and refuse overpayments and shipping requests.
Pet WantedHow to Post a "Cat Wanted" Ad and Get Replies in CanadaPost a cat wanted ad in Canada that gets good replies: describe the cat and home, give a fair budget, check city rules, and never pay for a cat you have not met.
Lost PetHow to Help Find a Lost Cat in CanadaIf you see a lost cat in Canada, note where and when, message the owner of any matching ad, and have the cat scanned for a microchip by a vet or animal services.
Lost PetWhat to Do When Your Cat Is Lost in CanadaIf your cat is lost in Canada, search close to home first, report it to animal services and your microchip registry, and post posters and a lost ad the same day.