Animal Viewing Hours:
The Guelph Humane Society is open for in-person animal viewing hours:
- Tuesdays 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Wednesdays 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Thursdays 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Fridays 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The Guelph Humane Society now facilitates cat adoptions in-person on Saturdays. Join us in shelter on Saturdays from 11:00am to 2:00pm to meet your perfect match! Stop by and meet some adorable adoptables! Please note, review of online applications will be paused from 5pm Fridays until 2pm Saturdays to allow for same day, in-person adoptions to take place.
We welcome you to:
- Meet the cats in our cozy kennel
- View our adoptable rabbits and small animals living in-shelter
- View our adoptable dogs living in-shelter
Please continue to apply for our adoptable animals online.
If you’re looking for a new family member, the adoption option has never been easier! Follow our easy steps below to adopt a pet from the Guelph Humane Society!
Step 1: See the animals available for adoption!
Your adventure starts by viewing the animals available for adoption! You can see animals looking for new homes on our website, or by coming in-person to the shelter. Be sure to check out our numerous Satellite Locations as well, some located right in your community!
Step 2: Learn about the animal you’re planning to adopt!
Animals are unique; they each have their own personalities and care needs. We encourage you to read up on each animal on our website so you know what you can expect and be better prepared to bring them into your home. If you’re in the area, we invite you to swing by our shelter or satellite locations and strike up a conversation with the people who know them best! We’re happy to help and answer any questions you may have!
Step 3: Apply by completing our Adoption Application!
Dogs, cat and small animal applications can be completed online. To apply for a pet, please visit our Available Animals page, read about the pets in our care ready for their new family and happy tail, and if you find a match click the ‘ADOPT ME’ button to start your application.
Step 4: Chat with our staff in an adoption meeting!
Once you have submitted your Adoption Application, you will be offered a scheduled phone call with one of our friendly and knowledgeable Adoption Counselors! Our Adoption Counselors will discuss with you the different needs of each animal, offer suggestions and advice, answer any specific questions you may have, and are happy to work with you to provide the safest and smoothest transition of the pet into the home. If after the adoption meeting both you and the Adoption Counselor feel confident that it is a good match, we will schedule a meet and greet appointment if you have not already met the animal you wish to adopt.
Important: after you submit an application, please check your email regularly for updates, including your ‘junk’ folder!
Step 5: Meet the animal!
For dogs: After you have applied for a dog and completed an adoption meeting with a member of our adoptions team, a meet and greet appointment will be scheduled for you to come to the shelter to meet and interact with the dog as part of the matching process. Other family members are encouraged to attend. If you find yourself with a successful match and you have another dog in your home, a follow-up meet and greet for the pets will be scheduled.
For cats: At Guelph Humane Society our cats are housed in a cozy kennel. We invite you to come into our cat room during regular drop-in adoption hours when you can interact with our friendly felines and get to know them on a personal level! Cat meetings outside of GHS drop-in adoption hours are by appointment only, appointments are available to those that have already submitted an application and completed an adoption meeting for the cat they would like to meet.
For small animals: To get to know our small animals (e.g., rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, etc.), speak with our friendly staff to get you set up!
We encourage everyone to complete an adoption application prior to meeting any animal to ensure the pet is the best fit for you and your family. This process limits the ‘unexpected surprises’ that can occur when bringing a new pet into the household and helps to improve the matching process.