Ian CheesemanEvery cat deserves a second (or ninth) chance at life.
As a cat owner myself, I’ve always had a soft spot for strays I see out on the road. There’s something about those wandering whiskers and hopeful eyes that tug at my heartstrings.
Naturally, I decided to roll up my sleeves and ask around about how to help out and give these furry friends a home.
So, I came up with a list of Toronto’s most dedicated and reliable cat rescue centers. These aren’t just shelters—they’re cat havens run by people who go above and beyond for every kitty.
Whether you’re thinking about adopting, fostering, or just want to lend a helping hand, you can find the purr-fect way to get involved!
How We Chose the Best Cat Rescue Centers in Toronto
1. Toronto Cat Rescue Volunteer Centre
Toronto Cat Rescue has been rescuing cats for over 25 years, finding them new homes through adoption or fostering.
We like that adoption applications can be done from the comfort of your own home—just fill out a form with your info and household details,
After, they connect you with their fosters so you can schedule a trip to meet the cat. This helps you decide if you want to move forward with the adoption.
Some of their past clients say the online process is smooth and easy, but it might feel a bit impersonal, especially if you want a more immersive adoption experience.
It’s also worth noting that their range of cats up for adoption is quite limited at times.
Every adoptable cat comes with a standard fee that covers spay/neuter and vaccinations. As a bonus, senior cats (8 years+) don’t have a set fee—you pay what you can!
Pros
- Over 25 years of experience in rescuing and rehoming cats
- Application can be done from home
- Smooth and easy online process
- Adoption fees include spay/neuter and vaccinations
- Pick your own adoption fee for senior cats
Cons
- Online process can feel impersonal
- No adoptables on their website at times
Straightforward and simple
“We got our beautiful kitten here. The process of adopting was straightforward and simple. Our kitten matched our energy and personality and we cannot be any happier.”
-Diana Nguyen, Google Review
Sanctuary that gives cats a second life
“The dedication and care the staff at this cat rescue demonstrate towards their feline residents are truly commendable. The attention to detail in creating a comfortable and stimulating environment for the cats is remarkable. Our hearts are full knowing the kitties will be lounging on the donated beds we brought – a small contribution, but one that we hope made a big difference. We highly recommend this cat rescue to anyone looking to support a cause that genuinely cares for and improves the lives of our furry friends. Thank you for the wonderful work you do, and for providing a sanctuary that gives cats a second chance at a happy life!”
-Sierra Lefave, Google Review
2. Toronto Kitten Rescue
Toronto Kitten Rescue helps feral, stray, and abandoned cats. If you adopt from them, your kitty will likely come from a colony or rescue, which will require more hard work and adjustment.
Not to worry though, because this company goes the extra mile to socialize each cat and prepare them for their new homes before putting them up for adoption.
Past clients tell us that the adoption process is thorough and they put in the effort to match you with the right cat.
However, they don’t host the cats at their office so you’ll have to wait for them to set up a meet and greet with a foster home before you can meet a cat.
And we heard that the waiting time can be quite long, whether in processing your adoption or answering your queries.
Pros
- Focuses on rescued or abandoned cats
- Extra attention placed on socializing cats
- Thorough process focused on matching you with the right cat
Cons
- Can’t see all the cats at the shelter
- Reports of long waiting times for inquiries
Whole process was very in-depth
“I adopted a pair of bonded kittens from TKR in 2018. The whole process was very in depth, and I got the chance to meet with the girls to make sure it was a good fit before bringing them home. They have been the most wonderful companions, and watching them continue to play together always reminds me that I did the right thing adopting a pair.”
-Sophie Lehman, Google Review
Wonderful organization
“I’ve adopted three cats through Toronto Kitten Rescue. The adoption process was thorough and I feel like Dyna does everything she possibly can to ensure that her rescues are adopted out to loving homes. She also puts in so much work and money ensuring that the cats are healthy before coming home to you. A wonderful organization that has brought a lot of joy to my life.”
-Katie Winstanley, Google Review
3. AVA Cat Rescue (Action Volunteers for Animals)
Since 1972, AVA Cat Rescue has teamed up with adoption centers around Toronto to save stray and feral cats.
Their partner centers host the cats, so they aren’t all in one location—you’d have to drive around if you want to meet them in person.
Luckily, they have cat profiles on their website that detail each cat’s temperament, likes, and dislikes. We recommend checking these out if you want to learn about the cats before visiting the centers.
The cats are all adoptable for a standard fee, inclusive of spay/neuter, deworming, vaccinations, and microchipping.
As a neat treat, AVA offers tips on cat welfare and guides you through everything, from kitten diets to cat-proofing your home.
However, they mentioned they get swamped with adoption requests sometimes. Past clients of theirs we spoke to say that this can lead to slower replies and makes the process a bit more competitive.
Pros
- Over 50 years of experience in saving stray and feral cats
- Cats’ profiles available on the website
- Adoption fees include spay/neuter, deworming, vaccinations, and microchipping
- Provides guidance on preparing for adoption
Cons
- Cats are in different locations around Toronto
- Reports of slow replies during peak demand
- High demand can make the adoption process competitive
I felt totally supported
“I adopted my very first cat from AVA a month ago. Beth was extremely helpful during the screening process and I could tell she really wants to ensure the cats are being matched with an appropriate home. Foster mom Linda truly loves and takes care of the cats she’s fostering. She knew everything about Willow, including the toys, treats, and food she prefers, as well as her personality and habits. Both ladies have been amazing in ensuring any questions I had about my sweet girl Willow were answered, and that I was able to care for her in the best way possible. As a first time cat owner I felt totally supported and I could not imagine my life without Willow now. Thank you!”
-Tiffany C, Google Review
Cats are treated like family
“I can’t say enough good things about AVA! The volunteers who work there are true heroes, rescuing cats from all kinds of tough situations and giving them the love and care they deserve. It’s clear that the cats are treated like family at AVA, and the dedication of the workers to finding the best possible homes for them is truly inspiring. I highly recommend anyone looking to adopt a cat to check out AVA – not only will you be giving a deserving kitty a new home, but you’ll be supporting an amazing organization in the process!”
-Marvin Ma, Google Review
4. Abbey Cat Adoptions
Abbey Cat Adoptions has a wide mix of cats, from exotic breeds to special kittens needing a bit more care.
For one, we were delighted to find Russian Blues and Arabian Maus for adoption—at a pretty modest fee compared to what cat breeders charge!
They also have “special cats” with minor medical issues. These are perfect for folks who want to adopt cats that have a harder time getting adopted. As a bonus, there’s no adoption fee for these special kitties!
Unfortunately, there’s no shelter to visit all the cats in person since they’re hosted by different fosters, so getting to know them before adoption can be tricky.
But, they make it easier by curating detailed profiles for each cat on their website. This helps you get to know the cats better before starting the adoption process.
Pros
- Wide mix of cat breeds and types
- Modest adoption fees for exotic cats
- Special cats available with no adoption fee
- Informative profiles for each cat
Cons
- No physical shelter to meet all the cats in person
Cats are in loving homes before they find their forever homes
“We are so in love with our new babies! We have named our little ladies Zelda & Ziggy. It didn’t take these two to get very comfy & cuddly with our family; 2 little kids and a big furry dog, who they wont stop snuggling.
Abbey Cat Adoptions made it super quick and easy to adopt our new furry family members. I sent in my request and they got back to me so quickly. I filled out the paper work – called my vet, made sure to do my research and pick up all the equipment needed to make these kittens feel at home and safe. We were able to view them on a zoom call and see how they play in their foster home.
The reason I looked up Abbey Cats was because they have foster homes instead of a kennel. Just happy to know that the cats are in loving homes before they find their forever homes. Thank you Abbey Cat Adoptions for saving all these cats and making sure they go to loving homes.”
-Michelle McClafferty, Google Review
Process was thorough yet quick
“We recently adopted our cat, and it all went so smoothly thanks to the wonderful volunteers and foster apart of our adoption process! They care deeply about the cats in their care and want to find the best homes for them, and it shows. The process was thorough yet quick, and everything was communicated very well. Highly recommend Abbey Cat Adoptions, and all the lovely people there!”
-Kierra Tranter, Google Review
5. Toronto Humane Society
Since 1987, the Toronto Humane Society has created tons of volunteering opportunities for cat rescue—from locating strays to maintaining cat colonies.
They also hold adoptions at their shelter. You’ll have to pay a visit to apply, but they do provide cat profiles on their website if you want to learn about the cats first.
By the way, not all the cats on their website can be found at the shelter. Some are chilling with foster homes so you’ll have to put in a request to meet them.
To help with adoption, they’ve got dedicated Pet Support Agents to guide you—from matching you with cats to giving you advice on cat welfare.
Just a heads up—we’ve heard that their shelter can get busy on weekends. It can take some time before they entertain you, so make sure you allocate a couple of hours when paying a visit.
Pros
- Over 30 years of experience in cat rescue
- Multiple volunteering opportunities for helping cats
- Cat profiles available on their website
- Pet Support Agents guide clients through the adoption process
Cons
- Not all cats can be viewed at the shelter
- Busy during the weekends
Staff was very friendly and informative
“Adopted my wonderful kitten Joy here!! The staff was very friendly and informative when matching us with the best fit for our household. We went back and adopted our 2nd cat about 1 year ago now. We named him Jack. Now Joy has a “little” brother to hang out with.”
-Angela Jaskot, Google Review
Their labor is truly commendable
“Just adopted my second cat from THS. The whole experience with the process and staff was great; received super useful information in preparation to taking my kitty home. I also believe that their vet care is appropriate and efficient. Overall, their labor is truly commendable, THANK YOU EVERYONE AT THS. I can appreciate that it’s not always easy and that receiving animals that need treatment takes a huge amount of coordination and resources. Thank you, I will support with donations.”
-Ana Cano, Google Review
