F A Q s about Pets Niagara

Where are you located?

Our rescue operation is foster-based so we do not have a single location at the present time. However, many people work together to transport, foster, check references, do home visits and process adoptions. They are from all over the Niagara region.

Where is your sanctuary located?

Pets Niagara does not currently have a physical location - we're working on it. At the moment we primarily operate as an outreach, rescue, foster and adoption network rather than a shelter facility. We do have a few permanent residents and sanctuary pets, which are housed either with our staff or with a permanent perfectly-matched foster home until such time as our sanctuary has been built.

Do you rescue animals from outside of the Niagara Peninsula?

No. While we keenly appreciate that there are hundreds of thousands of animals all across North America that may need rescue and sanctuary, we feel that we owe our first duty to the pets and pets owners located in our own "backyard". When there are no more pets at risk or in need, here, then we will look into rescuing from other jurisdictions. The only exception we would make to this rule of 'no out-jurisdiction rescues at this time' would be in the case of extreme neglect, starvation or abuse situations. Then, we would not be able to turn away from helping those poor creatures.

Why do you need to fund raise?

We need to fund raise continually. Pets that come to us are often in need of immediate veterinarian care for a myriad of issues ranging from the simple, such as flea infestations, to the complex, such as surgeries to repair open wounds or resolve long-standing health issues. Of the many low-income owners that we assist most of their pets are in need of spay or neuter surgeries, vaccines or food bank assistance. Some are also faced with the very sad choice of surrendering their beloved family member because of their inability to pay for complex or ongoing veterinarian care for their pet. Some days it seems as if the need for funds is endless!

Where can I find the applications to adopt, foster or volunteer?

Our applications can be found at these links:

For what is the foster home responsible, e.g. food, veternarian bills, medications, et cetera? Will I be reimbursed for my expenses if I purchase these things?

As a foster home you will be expected to provide any additional toys beyond what is supplied when you receive your foster pet, approved treats and love! Pets Niagara will provide food, kitty litter if appropriate, collar, identification tags, leash and harness, if appropriate, initial toys and bedding. We will also provide you with an "Adopt-Me" vest for your foster pet. Upon adoption, this equipment will go with your foster pet to his or her new adoptive home. As to medical expenses, Pets Niagara will pay all expenses directly to the veterinarian consulted. We will reimburse a foster home "only" if the expenses and the veterinarian clinic have been approved by us prior to the pet attending the clinic. If an emergency visit is required for your foster pet, then you must have the emergency clinic contact us as soon as you present your pet at that clinic for examination.

I can no longer keep my pet. I would like to surrender my pet to Pets Niagara. How can I do this?

Currently, Pets Niagara accepts 'owned' animals under the following circumstances:

if the pet owner is suffering from a terminal illness their pet(s) would be placed in our permanent residents' sanctuary program;
if the pet owner has recently passed away their pet(s) would be placed in our permanent residents' sanctuary program;
if the owner is under extreme financial stress we may accept the pet provided we have an available foster home and the animal is suitable for our adoption program;
as our over-riding goal is to save the "unadoptable" animals from shelters where they would otherwise be euthanized we will accept pets with treatable medical and behavioural problems. Our definition of treatable medical conditions includes those pets with long-term or life-limiting illnesses. Some of these pets may need to be placed in our permanent residents' sanctuary program while many, after treatment and rehabilitation, may be able to be placed for adoption.
Hybrids, such as Savannahs, Chausies, Bengals, Pixie Bobs and Toygers are automatically placed into our life-long segregated sanctuary program.
If you are a pet owner and simply need to rehome your pet we will be happy to assist you in that process but we require that you maintain full ownership of your pet until an adoption can be completed.

We currently cannot make exceptions to this policy. Please click here to see our list of Resources to find other shelters and rescues who may be able to provide assistance.

I can no longer keep my pet but I don't want to surrender it to a humane society or animal control shelter. What are my options?

We encourage you to inquire amongst your friends, work colleagues and family. If no one is interested in adopting your best friend, then we can certainly assist you in expanding the campaign to find your little one a new loving and permanent home. Please Contact Us to arrange a time when we can come out to meet and greet you and your pet. If you choose this assistance Pets Niagara will require you to maintain your pet in your home as your own personal pet under your financial commitment as you have done up to this time. We do not charge a fee for this service to you or to the new adopter. We will provide you with "Adopt-me" poster templates, social media post templates and standard enquiry letters that you will be required to have printed and distributed to various outlets in your city. Private re-homing can take the better part of 6 to 12 months. So, you must be prepared to keep your pet until an adoption is completed.

If you do not have the ability to wait the length of time a private re-homing can take, you may have to seek assistance from another organization. Please click here to see our list of Resources to find other shelters and rescues who may be able to provide assistance.

There is a stray pet in my neighbourhood. Can you come and rescue him?

As much as we'd love to, unfortunately we can't take in stray pets at this time.

If the pet IS exhibiting any sign of medical distress call your local humane society to report the animal and arrange for pick up as soon as possible.

If the animal is NOT in distress and appears to be otherwise healthy and previously well-cared for please contact your local animal shelter to find out if someone has filed a lost pet report. Speak to all your neighbours. Have the pet taken to a local veterinarian to have checked for a microchip or tattoo. Any veterinarian's office should do this check for free. If there is a microchip number or tattoo contact the registering agent for that identification to ascertain the name and address of the pet's owner. It may be that the registering agent will contact the owner rather than reveal the contact information to you. Beyond this point it will be necessary for you to be able to confine the animal in a separate secure location indoors for a period at least 15 days before you should mix him or her in to your own household. Think of this as a quarantine period. If you have such a facility available to you - it can be a simple as an unused garage or 3-season room attached to your home - and you are willing to work through the process of locating the owners please Contact Us for additional details and suggestions on how to set up a field quarantine station. While the pet is in field quarantine, post "found pet" posters with a colour photo of the pet, everywhere, including on your front door, on the back window of your vehicle, in local stores and laundromats. Also post a "Found Pet" poster at your local humane society and hand deliver several to local veterinarian offices and veterinarian emergency clinics. And don't forget to post your "Found Pet" advertisement on local online newspapers, which provide free advertisements, and community groups. We strongly recommend that you do not post your pet on commerce sites such as Kijiji or Craig's List.

If you are unable to dedicate the space, time or care for a found animal that is NOT in distress then please click here to see our list of Resources to find other shelters and rescues who may be able to provide immediate assistance.

I have some pet toys and supplies that I would like to donate to Pets Niagara. Where can I drop them off?

This is great! Please Contact Us and we can arrange for pick up. Thank you!

I've never fostered before but am curious about it. Can you tell me what it entails and how I can foster for Pets Niagara?

For information, on fostering, or to apply to become a Pets Niagara foster pet-parent please visit our Foster page.

How much does it cost to foster an animal for Pets Niagara?

Nothing except the time, space and love your foster pet requires! Pets Niagara will provide all food, kitty litter if applicable, collar, identification tags, leash and harness, if appropriate, toys and bedding. We will also provide you with an "Adopt-Me" vest for your foster pet. If you wish, you may purchase any additional toys beyond what is supplied when you receive your foster pet, as well as approved treats, at your own cost but it is not necessary to do so. Upon adoption, any equipment and remaining food that was supplied to you by Pets Niagara will go with your foster pet to his or her new adoptive home.

For what is the foster home responsible in the way of veternarian bills, medications, et cetera? Will I be reimbursed for my expenses if I have to purchase these things?

As to medical expenses, Pets Niagara will provide you with a list of approved veterinarians that you may consult. Pets Niagara will pay all expenses directly to the veterinarian consulted. We will reimburse a foster home "only" if the expenses and the veterinarian clinic have been approved by us prior to the pet attending the clinic. If an emergency visit is required for your foster pet, then you must identify the animal as a Pets Niagara foster pet to the clinic and have the emergency clinic contact us as soon as you present your foster pet at that clinic for examination.

What if I get attached to my foster pet? Can I choose to adopt the pet forever?

Of course! We would be thrilled if one of our animals could find their forever home with you. But please keep in mind that for us, a good foster home is hard to find. Hopefully you'll still want to foster animals in need for us - even after adopting a pet of your own.

I live in the United States. Can I foster for Pets Niagara?

Unfortunately, at this time we do not have the requisite clearances to permit fosters to take place across our Canada-U.S. border.

I live in a province other than Ontario. Can I foster for Pets Niagara?

Currently Pets Niagara maintains a local network solely within the Niagara region. Please inquire at your local shelter or rescue for fostering opportunities.

Is Pets Niagara a not-for-profit organization or an official charity?

Pets Niagara is a not-for-profit organization. We are currently developing a charitable trust to manage to the charity aspect of our organization and will publish the Revenue Canada details in due course.

I would like to donate money to Pets Niagara. Do you offer receipts for donations?

Until we have satisfied all of the requirements of Revenue Canada we will not be able to issue charitable tax receipts for financial donations. However, we would be more than willing to honour your donation, should you choose to donate in any event, in a tangible and meaningful way. You should be aware that there are some donations that do not qualify for tax deductible receipts under any circumstances. Those items are adoption fees, membership fees, and certain monetary donations where your Pets Niagara gift is under a certain monetary value.

I would like to donate an item to a future silent auction or donation sale. Who should I speak to about this?

You're the coolest! All donated items go a long way. Please contact us with your interest and we'll arrange a pickup.