Apart from saving a life, there are numerous reasons to adopt a dog in Alberta.
It is fulfilling and also helps reduce overpopulation and the unnecessary destruction of vulnerable companion animals.
These dog rescues in Alberta help rehome hundreds of dogs with loving parents in forever homes.
Adoption is also more affordable and goes a long way in reducing cruel dog breeding.
In addition, when you choose adoption, you also get to choose from a great selection of breeds.
We have prepared a list of dog rescues in Alberta that will help you find the right canine companion.
The volunteers, fosters, and professionals at these rescues have years of experience matching dogs and dog parents with successful results.
Adopting from these organizations, helps non-profit facilities continue their rescue and rehoming activities and saves countless dogs.
While you can not change the whole world for all dogs, you can change one dog’s whole world through adoption.
1.) Calgary Animal Rescue Society (Calgary, AB)
This foster-based rescue society offers abandoned dogs in Alberta a second chance at happiness through its rehabilitation and rehoming services.
The facility also extends its rescue activities to North America in an effort to change the lives of dogs around the world.
The primary goal at Calgary Animal Rescue is to find forever homes for all its rescues.
The organization also offers other valuable animal welfare services including educating and informing the public about the importance of adoption and fostering.
The amazing volunteer team at this rescue and rehoming organization works tirelessly to help all dogs in need.
Through its extensive network of foster carers, the Calgary Animal Rescue Society has saved hundreds of dogs and helped countless others find forever families.
If you would like to adopt a dog from this organization, fill out the online application form to help the volunteers match you with a suitable pooch for your home.
You can also visit their website to see all the adoptable dogs.
Adoption fees start from $500 for adult dogs and $600 for puppies under one year.
All dogs are vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, and treated for any health or behavioural problems before they are listed for adoption.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Box 57089 Sunridge RPO, Calgary, AB T1Y 6R4
- Phone: (403) 816-0759
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://calgaryanimalrescue.com/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
2.) Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (Athabasca, AB)
Second Chance Animal Rescue Society promotes the humane treatment and protection of all companion animals.
Each year, the organization rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes over 2,000 dogs.
SCARS is committed to helping all unwanted, abandoned, and abused dogs as well as those at risk of euthanasia.
All dogs brought to this facility are assessed for medical and behavioural problems and treated before rehoming.
The organization is committed to fighting dog overpopulation in Alberta and other areas across Canada.
Second Chance Animal Rescue Society also collaborates closely with Métis and First Nations communities to offer affordable neutering services.
To adopt a pooch from SCARS, visit their adoption page to view their available adoptable dogs as you fill in the application form.
Application fees start from $300 for senior dogs, $425 for dogs over 6 months, $525 for pups under 6 months, and $615 for a bonded pair of adult canine companions.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Box 3045, Athabasca, AB T9S 2B9
- Phone: (780) 466-SCAR (7227)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.scarscare.ca/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
3.) Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue (Canmore, AB)
With over 14 years of rescue activities, Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue is considered one of the top animal welfare organizations in Alberta.
It was founded by Rory O’Neill, a dog lover, who is focused on rescuing dogs in danger of euthanasia in overcrowded shelters across Canada.
Rory, an experienced dog behaviourist, saves animals from the Stoney Nakota Reservation and rehabilitates them before placing them with their adoptive parents.
During Hurricane Katrina, Rory and her team of volunteers also rescued the dogs and cats left behind.
This rescue organization does not have a shelter and relies on foster parents to care for all its rescues until they can be rehomed permanently.
Visit the adoption page on their website to see all their available dogs.
View their adoption application here.
You can also help Rory and the team at Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue by volunteering as a foster carer.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 8111, Canmore, AB T1W 3G7
- Phone: (587) 215-6400
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.rockymountainanimalrescue.com/
- Social Media: Facebook
4.) Infinite Woofs Animal Rescue Society (Edmonton, AB)
This animal rescue facility in Edmonton is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of neglected, abused, and abandoned dogs.
The facility distinguishes itself from other rescues in Alberta by accepting all types of animals.
With the help of foster parents, volunteers, and well-wishers, Infinite Woofs Animal Rescue Society has helped many dogs and other animals transition to their forever homes.
The not-for-profit organization provides vet care, food, and other necessities for all its dogs in foster care.
Infinite Woofs also strongly opposes cosmetic and non-medical surgeries on dogs and condemns ear-cropping and tail-docking.
You can support this organization and its policies through donations, volunteering, or fundraising.
Check out their adoption page to see all the adorable dogs waiting to meet you as you fill out the online application.
Adoption fees at IWARS are $300 for senior dogs, $400 for adults, and $500 for puppies.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 11519 160 St. Edmonton, AB, T5M 3V9
- Phone: (780) 452-2951 / (587) 987-4340
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://infinitewoofs.com/
- Social Media: Facebook
5.) Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation (High River, AB)
This animal rescue foundation based in High River serves the dogs and dog parents of Blackie, Cayley, and Longview.
The facility founded by Kim Hessel also supports the Town of Okotoks, Turner Valley, and Black Diamond.
Heaven Can Wait was started in 1999 to protect unwanted animals in the Alberta community.
The team at this foundation is committed to rescuing as many animals as possible taking in up to 200 animals at a time.
This animal rescue foundation is passionate and caring towards all abandoned companion animals.
The staff and volunteers all have an empathetic attitude towards all rescues.
They also remain committed to helping the community recognize the needs of all rescued dogs as they look for permanent homes.
Haven Can Wait does not do same-day adoptions.
However, you can submit an online application for consideration.
View available dogs for adoption here.
Adoption fees start from $500 for dogs of all ages.
These fees include vaccinations, neutering, microchipping, deworming, medical treatment, and behavioural rehabilitation.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Box 6131 Station Main, High River, AB T1V 1P7
- Phone: (403) 601-2520
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.heavencanwait.ca/
- Social Media: Facebook
6.) Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association (Grande Prairie, AB)
Bandaged Paws seeks to improve the lives of abandoned, unwanted, neglected, abused, and stray dogs and other companion animals throughout Alberta.
The animal rescue organization is based in Grande Prairie, Alberta and operates through a foster-based system.
This volunteer-run, non-profit organization takes in dogs and cats and rehomes them with loving furever families.
Bandaged Paws does not receive any government funding and relies solely on the generosity of well-wishers, and donations and fundraising efforts of dog-lovers who support the foundation.
With an estimated 5 strays for each potential pet parent in North America, Bandaged Paws encourages you to adopt a pooch.
Although they currently do not accept walk-in visitors to reduce stress on all the dogs available for adoption, you are welcome to fill in an online application.
Once your application is reviewed, the volunteer adoption screeners will contact you within 24-48 hours to arrange a meet and greet.
All dogs at this rescue organization undergo observation before being placed with their adoptive parents.
During this time, the animals are treated for any medical problems and rehabilitated for behavioural issues.
All dogs are vaccinated, neutered, and dewormed before adoption.
Adoption fees start from $200 for senior dogs, $400 for adult canines, and $325 for puppies.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 12220 104 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 8A8
- Phone: (780) 380-PAWS
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://bandagedpaws.org/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
7.) Saving Grace Animal Society (Alix, AB)
Saving Grace rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes dogs and other companion animals in need.
The foster-based animal rescue organization was founded in 2018 as a low-scale rescue.
Since opening its doors, Saving Grace has been the go-to rescue organization for the dog-lovers of Alberta and Saskatchewan offering 24/7 emergency call services.
This animal rescue organization has a shelter in Alix and an off-site facility where farm animals who cannot be adopted live out their lives free from the fear of destruction.
Since its inception, this organization has successfully rehomed over 2,600 animals including dogs.
Saving Grace has also responded to over 15 rescue missions with each bringing over 100 animals under its care.
This sanctuary is currently a forever home to 22 animals.
The dedicated team at this organization includes veterinarians, trainers who rehabilitate the dogs and other animals, and other volunteers who love and care for the animals in the shelter.
Visit their social media page to see all the adorable adoptable dogs before filling out the online application form.
All animals are vaccinated, neutered, dewormed, and microchipped before adoption.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 4932 50th Ave Alix, Alberta T0C 0B0
- Phone: (403) 785-7427
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.savinggracecanada.com/
- Social Media: Facebook
8.) Tails Of The Misunderstood (Calgary, AB)
This rescue facility takes in abandoned, abused, and neglected dogs as well as surrenders from parents who can longer offer their dogs quality care.
Tails of The Misunderstood does not discriminate based on breed, age or size and is a strong advocate for responsible pet ownership.
Kelly, the founder, started this facility in 2015.
Her parents inspired her passion and love for animals by teaching her to respect the land and its animals.
Kelly and her co-founder, Alexandra, are also strong advocates for neutering to control animal overpopulation.
Since opening its doors, Tails of The Misunderstood has rescued and fostered over 500 canines and rescued countless others from other high-kill facilities in the area.
Kelly and Alexandra also work with a team of volunteer dog-lovers who manage the foster and intake activities.
Visit the adoption page to see all of their available dogs at Tails Of The Misunderstood.
Adoption fees start from $368 for seniors, $578 for Adults, and $735 for puppies.
This fee is used for vaccination, microchipping, neutering, and 6 weeks of pet insurance.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Calgary, Alberta
- Phone: (587) 572-WOOF (9663)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.tailsofthemisunderstood.com/
- Social Media: Instagram
9.) Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation (Calgary, AB)
This registered Canadian charity rescues dogs and cats throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The animal rescue foundation was founded by a dog-loving duo that saved and rehomed over 50 canine companions from Mexico.
Through this experience, the two felt it was necessary to help other dogs in need.
Pawsitive Match rescues dogs and cats in danger of destruction in overcrowded, high-kill shelters across Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Thailand.
The facility does not discriminate based on breed, age, or size.
This animal rescue organization in Alberta also takes in and rehomes surrenders.
The volunteers at the facility work tirelessly to ensure that all their rescues have a chance at happiness.
The team also works closely with volunteers from the Canadian Animal Task Force to reduce overpopulation through neutering clinics.
If you would like to give a dog a chance at a happy forever home, visit the adoption page to see all the lovely pups waiting to meet you.
Fill out the online application form and an adoption processor will be in touch to set up a meet and greet with the foster family.
All dogs are vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered before adoption.
Adoption donations start from $225 for senior dogs, $475 for adult dogs, $500 for adolescent canines, $595 for puppies, and $595 for international adoptions.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 84165 Market Mall RPO, Calgary, AB T3A 5C4
- Phone: (403) 452-2485 for emergencies only
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://pawsitivematch.org/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
10.) Animal Rescue Foundation (Calgary, AB)
The Animal Rescue Foundation is an Alberta-based organization dedicated to helping dogs and cats in need.
The volunteer-based organization was founded in 1995 to help stray and unwanted companion animals in communities with scarce resources and rural areas.
Laurie, the founder, and her two friends started this facility in 1992 in response to the overpopulation of cats and dogs in Alberta.
ARF has remained committed to its goals and successfully rehomed over 5,300 dogs.
This animal rescue organization offers all its rescues stability, care, medical assistance, and a forever home for dogs and cats who cannot be adopted due to illness or old age.
The facility does not take in surrenders from non-ARF members.
All dogs at ARF are vaccinated, neutered, and dewormed before they are listed for adoption.
Through the help of professionals, dogs at this rescue in Alberta also receive reward-based training and medical intervention when necessary.
If you would like to adopt a pooch from ARF, apply through the online form to get listed for a screening interview.
View their available dogs for adoption here.
The volunteers at this organization also offer post-adoption follow-up services to ensure your canine companion is the right match for your lifestyle.
Adoption fees at the Animal Rescue Foundation start from $450 – $525.
All adoption inquiries must be made through the online application form.
ARF does not respond to adoption inquiries made through email or phone.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 34160, RPO Westbrook, Calgary, AB T3C 3W2
- Website: https://arf.ab.ca/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
11.) Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society (Sherwood Park, AB)
This animal rescue based in Edmonton, Alberta is run by a group of volunteer animal lovers that is committed to saving the lives of vulnerable dogs and those at risk of euthanasia.
Zoe’s was started by Sasha and Kathy, who are both strong advocates for neutering to prevent animal neglect as a result of overpopulation.
Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society is run by volunteers and relies on donations from the community to continue its good work.
If you would like to help, you can donate, volunteer as a foster parent, or participate in fundraising activities.
To adopt a pooch from this animal rescue organization, fill out and submit the online application form.
If your application is successful, the review team will invite you to meet your new fur baby.
View their available dogs for adoption here.
Zoe’s Animal Rescue conducts home checks to ensure all rescued pups go to a safe home.
Adoption fees start from $425 to $450.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: PO Box 64231 Sherwood Park, AB T8B 0A0
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.zoesanimalrescue.org/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Conclusion For The Top Dog Rescues In Alberta
Adopting a dog is an exciting time not just for your family, but for the dog too.
These dog rescues in Alberta have years of experience in making forever matches and will help you meet the pooch of your dreams.
As you prepare to welcome your new canine companion home, ensure that the environment is calm and safe for a smooth transition.
If you have small kids and other pets, the transition may be challenging.
However, spending time with your new fur baby and reassuring them, will help your rescue dog settle into their new home within no time.
You can also use this time for training your dog through play to help strengthen the bond between them and the family.
Lastly, ensure you have lots of toys, food, treats, and a cozy bed for your new pooch and keep away any toxic foods such as chocolate to keep them safe.