No Contact Adoptions Process

Although the shelter at 245 Dartnall Road remains closed to the public, the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA is pleased to re-open its pet adoptions, with a twist. It is our priority to keep members of the public and shelter staff safe during these unprecedented times. The modified adoption process will be completely no contact to ensure the health and safety of both adopters and staff, while also giving pets the opportunity to find their forever homes.

Adopting a pet is a big decision and it is our goal to help you find a perfect match between you and your new family member. Have you found a pet that you would like to adopt? Please email hashcroft@hbspca.com; please place the name of the pet you are interested in the subject line of your email to begin the no contact adoption process.

With the uncertain future, multiple applications for each pet will be accepted in case individual situations change, and in order to facilitate the pet going home in case an adopter needs to withdraw their application. Adopters therefore understand that adoptions will not be conducted on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Please note that at this time in person meet and greets as well as dog-to-dog introductions are suspended. We will only be looking to place dogs into homes where it is known that both dogs will do well together.

Step 1 – Browse. Decide. Email.

All available pets are viewable on www.hbspca.com. Pets have a personalized profile to help you get to know them better. When you have found a pet that, you are interested in adopting please email hashcroft@hbspca.com with the name of the Pet in the subject line to find out more about our no contact Adoption process.

Step 2 – Adoption Application.

Once you have contacted the adoption team via email, you will receive a response that includes our updated Adoption Application questions. The application questions include general contact information, and ask yours or your family’s lifestyle and expectations, this helps our staff determine if what you are looking for is a good match with the animal you have selected, and what aspects of care or behavior may need additional discussion. You will also be asked to provide Government issued photo ID and a photo of your cage/enclosure (for small mammals). In addition we will contact your vet to confirm up to date care for any pets currently in the home. We do this to ensure current pets are appropriately vaccinated and screened to best prepare them to welcome a new family member. Please ensure that all current pets have seen their vet in the last 12 months and that you have granted them the required permission to disclose your pets’ history.

Step 3 – Virtual counseling/meet and greet.

An adoption staff member will contact you to discuss any known medical and behavior history. This conversation is a good opportunity for you to learn more about the requirements of pet parenting either in the short or longer term, and to consider your readiness, and ensure that both you and the potential new family member will be happy together.

Step 4 – Finalize the Adoption and schedule a no contact pick up.

If agreed that a good match has been found, the adoption will be completed. You will receive the pet’s medical, microchip registration information and a copy of the adoption contract via email. The shelter’s copy of the adoption contract will be available for the adopter to sign at the time of pick up. Cats and Small Animals are to be picked up from between the front sliding doors at the entrance (245 Dartnall), dogs from our outdoor runs (weather dependent). Confirmation of an agreed pick up time will be outlined in a confirmation email sent to you.