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Adoption Policies

Please read through these policies carefully.

  1. All pets in the household must be spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccinations prior to adoption. Please note that you may be required to provide vaccine records for resident pets before proceeding with the application process.
  2. Applications are received on a first come, first served basis, and will be added to a queue in that order. However, the successful applicant will be the one that is the best possible match for an animal, and not necessarily the applicant that submitted their application before any other.
  3. We reserve the right to refuse applications for adoption.
  4. If you rent your home or own a condo in a building governed by a condo board, PMRF requires written approval prior to adoption. To avoid delays in the processing of an adoption, please have your landlord or condo board complete this form as soon as possible.Completed forms can be emailed to: adopt@pawsitivematch.orgClick here to download the Landlord Pet Approval form.
  5. Some home insurance companies will not insure homes that have certain breeds of dogs. You must check your home insurance policy before adopting a dog to ensure there are no restrictions. PMRF does not guarantee the breed of any of our dogs and will not refund adoption fees for dogs that are returned due to violation of a home insurance policy.
  6. We do not allow trials/overnights with the dog or cat. We expect that applicants take the necessary time to meet with the dog or cat, talk with the foster, and ask lots of questions. It is traumatic for dogs and cats to be bounced around, so it is in the best interest of the dog or cat that trials do not occur.
  7. In most circumstances, where there will be cohabitation of a dog and cat after adoption, we require that a dog-cat meet occurs to ensure that the dog in question (resident or adoptable) will not act aggressively or exhibit “prey drive” behaviour towards a cat. We may provide an exception if the dog in question currently lives with cats.
  8. We do not allow resident cats and adoptable cats to meet each other prior to adoption.
  9. All members of the household must meet the dog or cat and agree to proceed with an adoption. This applies to local, as well as out of town, applicants.
  10. We do not adopt out animals as gifts, or as a surprise to a third party.
  11. Generally, we do not accept adoption applications on behalf of third party.
  12. We do not place a “hold” on any dogs and cats – so if you are not looking to adopt within the week, please wait to begin the process as it is likely the dogs and cats available will be different.
  13. Generally, kittens under 6 months of age will only be adopted with another kitten or into a home that already has a playful, friendly cat.
  14. All pets in the household must be spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccinations prior to adoption.
  15. All PMRF animals are to be adopted as family pets that live indoors.
  16. We do not allow for “on-the-spot” adoptions, meaning that you will not be able to take the dog/cat home immediately after meeting him/her.
  17. We generally only adopt to applicants that reside within 350km of Calgary, however, there may be exceptions to this policy in certain unique circumstances.
  18. Applicants are responsible for the safe transport of the dog or cat from the foster location to their home. For cats, a cat carrier is required.
  19. Adoption fees are due at time of adoption. We do not do payment plans.

We recommend that you enrol your puppy or dog in force-free obedience training as early as possible. From the moment you bring a dog home you can work on and reinforce good  manners. Most behaviours can be modified. We recommend that you consult a force-free professional trainer and take the time to work with the dog, don’t wait until you are frustrated to the point of not wanting to keep your pet. A well behaved dog can make the difference between keeping your dog or him/her winding up as one of the many unwanted animals in shelters across Canada that are euthanized each year. As an adopter of a rescue dog you qualify for many great discounts with the trainers we work with. Please ask your adoptions processor for details.

Please email intakes@pawsitivematch.org if circumstances dictate that you must find a new home for a Pawsitive Match Rescue dog or cat. Adoption fees are non-refundable.