Aliu IsaIt was a random Saturday night— I was home alone with a bad case of the blues and mindlessly watching videos of little puppies.
Looking at those adorable eyes, I realized I needed some company at home. And who’s better company than man’s best friend?
So, I started my hunt—I asked some friends, drove around the city, and came up with a list of the best dog adoption centers in Toronto
Whether you’re after a bouncy puppy, a chill senior dog, or something in between, these places have it all. Your perfect pup is just a few clicks away!
How much does dog adoption cost in Toronto?
Dog adoption in Toronto costs $100 to $1000, depending on dog’s breed, age, and other expenses that have gone to rehabilitating the dog.
These include spay/neuter, vaccinations, medical exams, and other services depending on each adoption center.
How We Chose the Best Dog Adoption Centers in Toronto
1. Toronto Humane Society
Since 1987, the Toronto Humane Society has been dedicated to taking dogs off the street and giving them loving homes.
To make this happen, they’ve got an adoption process that focuses on the human-animal bond. They try to perfectly match dogs and families by considering the dog’s needs, the family’s background, and overall compatibility.
We’ve heard reports that this process is pretty straightforward—you browse the dogs on their website, talk to an Adoption Counselor at the shelter, and then have a meet-and-greet with potential matches.
Previous adopters tell us that they felt supported even after adoption! To help you out, the staff offers vet services and behavioral training for your new pup—pretty impressive!
Just be aware that their shelter gets pretty busy during the weekends, so it’s a good idea to plan your visit accordingly.
Pros
- Over 30 years of experience in rescuing and rehoming dogs
- Focuses on perfectly matching dogs and families
- Straightforward adoption process
- Vet services and behavioral training available
Cons
- Busy during weekends
They have all the supplies you’d need to get started
“Adopted my little pitbull mix puppy from here. The whole adoption process was great and they have all the supplies you’d need to get started with your pup. I’m in here every 2 weeks buying her food and my ongoing experience with them has been wonderful.”
-Maneesh Pillai, Google Review
The staff are helpful but not overbearing
“I found the love of my life here, I adopted her last Feb 2019. The staff are helpful but not overbearing. They are cautious but they are kind. The kennels are always clean and the dogs are always being walked. I’ve been back twice to look for another friend for my darling. I’ll keep looking.”
-Rina Rhea, Google Review
2. Stray to Play
Stray to Play rescues stray, abandoned, abused, or surrendered dogs. Because of this focus on rescuing dogs in unique situations, they make sure their pups find homes with people ready to meet their needs.
Past adopters we’ve talked to confirm this. They say the staff works hard to find the perfect matches through a pretty thorough adoption process.
This includes extensive screening, interviews, and seminars to prepare you for adoption. They cover everything from dog welfare to what to expect from your dog’s behavior.
By the way, they’re a foster-based rescue and don’t have a physical shelter. So, you won’t see all the dogs in one place—you’ll only meet one after they find you a match. Afterward, you get to decide if you want to proceed with the adoption.
However, we’ve seen reports that they can get a bit pushy with potential adopters, so just keep that in mind.
Pros
- Focus on stray, abandoned, abused, or surrendered dogs
- Through process perfectly matches dogs to families
- Seminars help you prepare for adoption
Cons
- No physical location see all the dogs
- Reports of being pushy to potential adopters
Truly puts forth its best effort to find their dogs the perfect match
“I adopted Benji through Stray to Play in July 2021. The process was extremely thorough and proved to me that Stray to Play truly puts forth its best effort to find their dogs the perfect match. If you’re looking to adopt a dog in Toronto, I cannot recommend Stray to Play enough! Benji seconds the review ;)”
-Allison Rogers, Google Review
Support we received before, during, and after this process surpassed any expectation
“I cannot say enough about the wonderful team at Stray to Play. This was my first time fostering an animal and after extensive screening, interviews and seminars, we were prepared and ready to go! The support we received before, during and after this process surpassed any expectation we had. The communication offered by not only the immediate team members but the online community helped us have the most successful and positive experience. If you are looking to foster, adopt or donate, Stray to Play is the organization you want to work with!”
-Luisa C, Google Review
3. Mattie’s Place
Mattie’s Place was opened in memory of Mattie, a rescue dog adopted by the owner Denise. With over 40 years in pet rescue, Denise ensures each dog finds a loving home.
Past customers we’ve talked to often mention how Denise and her staff are super involved in each adoption. They personally know each dog and will tell you about its needs—from medical history to special requirements.
And to help you start the adoption process, they have detailed profiles of each dog on their website. You just choose one you think you match well with then send them an online inquiry.
As a bonus, they’re pretty considerate of all home situations. Even if you have a smaller space or no fence, they’ll match you with a dog that fits your home—pretty thoughtful!
On the other hand, there have been reports that they can be a bit rude to potential adopters.
Pros
- Owner has over 40 years of experience in pet rescues
- Staff are very involved in the adoption process
- Detailed profiles of dogs available on the website
- Considerate of all home situations when matching dogs
Cons
- Reports of rude staff
We always understood the process
“From the first contact with Mattie’s Place to our adoption day, communication was amazing. We always understood the process and could reach out with questions. Denise was straightforward with us and truly cares about the dogs she works with, but also cares to ensure that the family is the right family to ensure a forever home. We are so happy to have found Mattie’s Place and our new family member ♡”
-Coleen Thompson, Google Review
The adoption process is pretty rigorous – as it should be
“We adopted our beautiful girl, Fox, two weeks ago from Mattie’s Place. We were so happy at how quickly she adapted to us and now we can’t imagine life without our sweet girl! She has some rehab left to go as she is healing from a spiral fracture and needs heartworm treatment. Denise was extremely transparent with what this dog would need from us going forward and made sure we were ready to handle it. We are so grateful she decided to put her trust in us, even though this was our first time being responsible for a dog of our own. Her continuing support and reassurance after the adoption has been exceptional as well. It is so clear that Denise has these animals’ best interests at heart. We had no doubts in dealing with her and her team.
The adoption process is pretty rigorous – as it should be to avoid re-homing or people biting off way more than they can chew. It involves a preliminary application, followed by phone interview, home tour, and finally, the meet and greet. Denise is very firm and cuts to the chase, which we absolutely appreciated. She absolutely has strong expectations from her adopters and you should put your trust in her and those expectations. It’s the absolute least we can do when giving these sweet pups their best shot.”
-Julia Henderson, Google Review
4. MUTTS Dog Rescue
Many dogs at MUTTS Dog Rescue come from underserved areas and had rough lives surviving on the streets. If you’re up for it, your home could be the first loving place they’ve ever known.
To help you decide if you want to adopt with them, they’re super transparent about their dogs’ backgrounds. They’ll tell you all about the dog’s medical conditions and are honest about all of its special needs.
Sadly, they don’t have a physical shelter where you can see all the dogs first. You’ll need to apply on their website and wait for them to set up a meet and greet.
If you find a match, they’ll support you through the dog’s transition— from offering advice to answering any follow-up questions.
Not ready to commit? They also offer a foster-to-adopt option so you can bond with the dog before making a final decision—pretty handy!
Pros
- Focuses on street dogs from underserved areas
- Transparent about dog’s needs
- Provides guidance throughout the dog’s transition
- Foster-to-adopt option
Cons
- Can only meet the dog in person during meet and greet
Very respectful and transparent
“We adopted from MUTTS a couple of years ago. It was a very respectful and transparent process. They did a great job of making sure we were well matched with our baby girl Molly. They also gave great advice on how best to manage her transition and were always available for follow up questions. Even now we get the occasional check-in from her foster mom to make sure we’re ok. Very highly recommend MUTTS for adopting a great dog.”
-David Loh, Google Review
They care deeply about the dogs
“This rescue found me my beloved pup Daisy. They care deeply about the dogs in their care and go through a thorough evaluation process of their adopters and their fosters to make sure their dogs will go to great homes and be cared for well up until that point (I know because I became a foster and then adopted). In addition, they largely rescue dogs from Canada, which is great knowing that you’re helping out here at home. I was so happy with Mutts and would highly recommend them to anyone thinking about bringing a dog into their lives. Thank you Mutts!!!”
-Julia Michener, Google Review
5. Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary
When I first visited Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary, I was blown away. The dogs live on a massive 50-acre farm, running around and enjoying all the greenery.
The folks at Dog Tales tell us they want to give their dogs a good home before adoption—with walking trails, therapy pools, and a grooming spa dedicated to rehabilitating them.
They even have dedicated dog handlers and vet techs you can meet during the adoption process. This helps you get to know the dogs better and learn all about their needs before making the commitment.
The cherry on top is that adoptable dogs come with all their medical needs done—from flea prevention, bloodwork, and even 1 month of medication if needed!
Just a heads up—they’re only open on Sundays and it can be a bit of a drive. We suggest keeping this in mind if you want to visit.
Pros
- Large environment for dogs
- Walking trails, therapy pools, and grooming spa for dog rehabilitation
- Dedicated professionals tell you about dogs’ needs
- Complete medical work for adoptables
Cons
- Only open on Sundays
- Location is a bit far
It’s a whole animal sanctuary, not just a dog kennel
“We adopted our lovely Shih Tzu Ewok here and could not be more pleased with the experience. All the staff were very friendly and they were doing their best to make sure that the dogs find the right fit for them instead of just trying to pawn off dogs as quickly as they could. Even after the adoption process was complete they continue to support us as needed by quickly responding to emails about anything we ask. The location is also wonderful, it’s a whole animal sanctuary, not just a dog kennel. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a dog and we will return if ever we can take in another one.”
-Ms. Monterey, Google Review
Incredible facility
“Great organization that provides an incredible facility for its rescue dogs. The farm is absolutely beautiful and the staff are extremely professional and passionate about all of the animals. We were fortunate to have found the newest addition to our pack!”
-Ms. Monterey, Google Review
