Process
Our Adoption Process
Many of our rescue dogs and cats have faced neglect, abuse, and abandonment. They can't choose their future families, so Pawsitive Match takes that responsibility seriously. Because their backgrounds are often unknown, we cannot guarantee temperament, training, breed, health, or adult size. Adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment, and we ask adopters to consider future changes such as marriage, relocation, family growth, career shifts, or allergies. Our goal is to place animals in permanent, loving homes through a thorough yet efficient screening process.
1. Submit Application
Start by filling out our adoption application. We’ll contact you within 72 hours to schedule a phone interview—additional documents (e.g., landlord approval or pet vaccine records) may be required first. If you haven't heard from us within that time, please email adopt@pawsitivematch.org. We reserve the right to decline applications that aren’t suitable.
2. Application Review
Once your application is approved, the adoption processor will facilitate a meet and greet between you and the foster family who has the dog or cat.
3. Meet & Greet
Some dogs require a mandatory home visit therefore, please be prepared for a Pawsitive Match volunteer to stop by. After meeting, take time to reflect and discuss with your family how a pet fits into your life. If everyone agrees to proceed, we’ll issue a contract. No animal can be released without a signed contract and payment.
4. Adoption Approval
We charge a non-refundable adoption fee. Adoption fees are used towards spaying/neutering, vaccination and medical costs, as well as saving more lives. Known medical and behavioural issues will be disclosed prior to finalizing the adoption. After the adoption, transcribed vet records are provided to the adopters.
Fees
Adoption Fees
-
Puppy (up to 6 months) $595
-
Adolescent dog (6 to 12 months) $500
-
Adult dog (1 to 8 years) $475
-
Senior dog (8+ years) $225
We offer a rebate of $50 if you provide proof you have signed your adopted dog up for training classes after the adoption is completed.
Landlord Pet Approval
Some dogs require a mandatory home visit therefore, please be prepared for a Pawsitive Match volunteer to stop by. After meeting, take time to reflect and discuss with your family how a pet fits into your life. If everyone agrees to proceed, we’ll issue a contract. No animal can be released without a signed contract and payment.
Guidance
Start Training Today
We recommend that you enroll your newly adopted friend in appropriate force-free training as early as possible. From the moment you bring a dog home, you can start to work on good manners. Most undesirable behaviours can be modified, so we recommend that you consult a 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.
We work with multiple training organizations and will gladly help to arrange a suitable course of action for you. 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.
About us
Our Adoption Policies
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.
Fosters are always given the first opportunity to adopt the animals in their care. Once a foster has decided not to adopt, applications are then reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and added to the queue in that order.
Adoption fees are due in full at the time of adoption, and payment plans are not available. Please note that adoption fees are not considered donations, and therefore tax receipts cannot be issued.
We generally only adopt to applicants within 350 km of Calgary. Exceptions may be considered in special circumstances.
Resident cats and adoptable cats will not be introduced to one another prior to adoption.
When a dog and cat will be living together, we generally require a supervised meet to ensure the dog shows no aggressive or prey-drive behavior. Exceptions may be made if the dog currently lives with cats.
Every animal in our care receives a veterinary assessment and any necessary treatments prior to adoption; however, because rescue animals often arrive without a complete medical history, it is not possible to test for every potential condition. We treat any symptoms or illnesses that arise while the animal is with us, but we cannot guarantee their future health or be held responsible for medical conditions or illnesses discovered after adoption.
Some insurance companies restrict coverage for certain dog breeds. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm coverage with their insurer before adoption. PMRF cannot guarantee the breed of any dog and adoption fees will not be refunded if an animal is returned due to insurance restrictions.
All members of the household must meet the dog or cat and agree to the adoption. This applies to both local and out-of-town applicants.
All PMRF animals are adopted as family pets and must live indoors.
Kittens under 6 months have high energy and important social needs, which is why they are typically adopted in pairs or placed in homes with a playful, friendly cat companion. To help ensure a good match, the resident cat should be younger or close in age, as senior cats are often less able to tolerate the constant play and energy of a kitten. Our goal is to set both the kitten and the resident cat up for success, creating a happy and balanced home for everyone.
We do not adopt animals out as gifts or surprises for third parties.
Because our animals’ availability can change quickly, we are not able to place holds. If you are not ready to adopt within the week, we encourage you to wait before applying to help prevent disappointment if the animal you had hoped for is no longer available.
Adoptions are not finalized on the spot. After meeting a dog or cat, please go home and take time to discuss as a family to ensure the pet is the right fit before moving forward.
We do not allow trial adoptions or overnight stays. Applicants are expected to take the time to meet the pet, speak with the foster, and ask questions before deciding. Moving animals back and forth is stressful and not in their best interest.
We reserve the right to decline adoption applications at our discretion.
If you rent your home or live in a condo governed by a condo board, written approval from your landlord or condo board is required before adoption. To avoid delays, please have the Landlord Pet Approval form completed and emailed to: adopt@pawsitivematch.org as soon as possible.
Download the pet approval form here: Landlord Pet Approval FormApplicants are responsible for safely transporting their new pet from the foster home. For cats, a secure carrier is required. For dogs, a properly fitted collar, harness, and leash are required.
To ensure the health and wellbeing of all animals, we strongly encourage that all resident pets remain up to date on their core vaccinations. Every animal in our care is examined by a partner veterinarian, spayed or neutered, and provided with age-appropriate vaccinations before adoption. Animals are only made available for adoption once a veterinarian has confirmed they are in good health. After adoption, it becomes the responsibility of the adoptive family to maintain regular veterinary care, including regular checkups, ongoing vaccinations and preventive treatments.