Adopting an animal is an exciting and meaningful decision, and finding the right shelter or rescue is just as important as finding the right pet. With so many organizations to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start — whether you’re adopting for the first time or welcoming another companion into your home.
Below are key factors to consider when choosing a shelter or rescue to adopt from.
Trained Staff or Volunteers
Look for organizations with trained personnel who are knowledgeable about and prioritize animal care and welfare. They should be able to assess animal health and recognize when to seek veterinary care. They should also be trained in safely and thoughtfully assessing animal behaviour in different contexts, providing appropriate care, and responding effectively in emergencies. A reputable organization will also invest in ongoing training to ensure staff and volunteers continue to operate according to current best practices.
Animal Records
Reputable organizations will maintain accurate, up-to-date records for each animal. These should include health history, vaccinations, behaviour notes, daily care, and cleaning notes, and any special needs. It is also important that behaviour is continuously assessed and that records are regularly updated, especially for animals that are in care for longer periods of time. Transparent, evolving records help ensure adopters have a realistic and current understanding of the pet they are bringing home.
Organizations should also be highly familiar with each animal. Reputable organizations often include detailed animal profiles that outline key information such as the animal’s name, age, breed, personality traits, energy level, training status, and compatibility with children and other animals.
Environment and Space
Reputable organizations will be transparent about the conditions the animals in their care are living in. These environments should be clean, safe, and designed to minimize stress as much as possible. Animals should have enough space to move comfortably, rest and engage in natural behaviours. Enclosures should be secure, easy to clean (and done so regularly), and designed to prevent injury or escape. A reputable organization will also responsibly manage capacity. They should be able to consistently maintain a high standard of care and avoid taking in more animals than they can properly support, as this can negatively impact animal health, behaviour, and overall well-being.
Exercise and Enrichment
To help animals stay happy and healthy while in their care, reputable shelters and rescues should provide animals with frequent opportunities for exercise and enrichment. Look for organizations that frequently offer animals novel enrichment items and consistent, scheduled opportunities for exercise and play (e.g., volunteer or foster programs, walks, group play, or training sessions). Asking what a typical day looks like for an animal in their care can provide helpful insights into how their physical and mental needs are being met. Animals should have access to safe indoor and outdoor spaces that are well-maintained, secure, offer protection from the elements, and designed to limit exposure to disease and parasites.
Food and Water
All animals should have access to appropriate nutrition and clean drinking water. Adequate food and hydration are essential for overall health and well-being and should be provided in a way that meets each animal’s specific needs, minimizes competition, and prevents contamination. Well-run organizations will also regularly monitor and keep records of each animal’s diet and feeding habits, adjusting them as needed, particularly for animals with medical or behavioural considerations.
Health and Veterinary Care
If an animal is available for adoption, it should be evident that the animal is in good health. Responsible shelters and rescues ensure animals receive ongoing, prompt veterinary care. This includes proof of up-to-date vaccinations and health history, spaying or neutering (for dogs and cats), regular health checks, and timely treatment of illness or injury. Reputable organizations will also have a clear adoption policy outlining support if an animal becomes sick within a defined period after adoption, helping ensure transparency and accountability while supporting both the animal and the adopter.
Adoption Process
Adopting an animal is a meaningful commitment of time, space, and resources; it is not a process that should feel rushed or unnecessarily restrictive. Responsible shelters and rescues utilize thoughtful adoption processes based on evidence-based best practices. This helps ensure the match between an animal and their new home is compatible and sustainable. The adoption process may include an initial application, interview, opportunity for questions and education, and a meet-and-greet with all family members, including other pets.
Reputable shelters and rescues should also have clear return or rehoming policies. For example, whether animals must be returned to the shelter if the adoption isn’t a good fit, or how returns are handled as part of their standard process. Clear policies in this area help reassure adopters and keep the animal’s welfare as the priority.
Identification
Animals should be provided with permanent identification before going to their new home, such as a tattoo or microchip. Organizations should also guide adopters through the process of registering and updating their contact information to ensure the identification is properly recorded. It should be clear whether microchip ownership is transferred to the adopter or retained by the organization, as this affects how ownership and contact details are managed long term.
Reputation and Reviews
A shelter’s reputation can provide valuable insights into how animals are treated while in their care. Look for positive feedback from past adopters, evidence of community involvement, and partnerships with other animal welfare organizations. A reputable organization may also express interest in receiving updates about the animals once they are in their new homes. Be cautious of any previous concerns regarding animal neglect, hoarding, or unethical practices.
Support and Resources
Look for shelters and rescues that offer education and support both during and after adoption. This may include behaviour advice, training resources, or other means of follow-up support to help ensure a successful transition and positive, long-lasting relationships between animals and their new guardians. They should also help set realistic expectations, as many animals will require an adjustment period when transitioning to a new home.
Consider also whether the organization offers structured follow-up check-ins after adoption, such as at 1 week, 3 weeks, and 3 months, to help address early challenges and provide support during the adjustment period. This type of proactive support is a strong indicator of a responsible, adopter-focused organization.
Ethical Practices and Transparency
Shelters and rescues should operate ethically and with transparency in all aspects of their work. This includes being honest and forthcoming about an animal’s history, health, and behaviour, as well as clearly communicating adoption fees, policies, and processes. Open and transparent practices help build trust and ensure animals are placed in safe, informed, and responsible homes.
Looking Beyond the Basics
While clean facilities and friendly staff are important, some of the most meaningful indicators of a responsible organization are less visible. Asking thoughtful questions, such as how animal behaviour is assessed over time, what a typical day looks like for animals in care, or how adoption matches are determined, can provide deeper insight into an organization’s practices.
Be on the lookout for red flags – limited transparency about an animal’s history, pressure to adopt quickly, or secrecy around where animals are kept.
The most reputable shelters and rescues focus not just on placing animals, but on supporting successful, long-term relationships.
View our non-exhaustive list of animal shelters and rescues in Alberta.