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		Licensing & Inspections: Animal Control

CITY OF VANCOUVER

Adoption and Fostering

Adoption

>> Meet the dogs for adoption

If you’re looking for a pet to join your family, look no further than the City of Vancouver Animal Control. We shelter many dogs who need homes. Come down and visit some potential pets. We're located at 1280 Raymur. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 - 8 p.m. weekdays, and 10 am - 4 pm weekends and holidays.

Adopting a dog is fun and a joy, but it’s a responsibility too. Your intention of adopting a dog should be to provide a home for it all of its life. When you take home a dog, here are a few things you should remember:

The dog must wear a valid licence at all times.
The dog must be treated humanely and be cared for at all times.
The dog must be treated as a house pet and member of the family; it should not be chained, tied or confined to a pen, run, or other enclosure all the time.
You will need to ensure that the dog receives any veterinary attention that it requires. You must be prepared to deal with these financial obligations.
City of Vancouver Animal Control Services may want to follow up for the purpose of ensuring that the terms and conditions of your signed agreement have been upheld. If you fail to meet the terms of the agreement, Vancouver Animal Control may take custody of the dog.

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Fees

The adoption fee, for the most part, is $200, payable by cash, debit or credit card. The $200 fee covers the cost of spaying or neutering, first set of shots, microchip, and provides pet insurance for 6 weeks after adoption. If you are a resident of Vancouver, you will also be required to purchase a current year license. All first time licences are pro-rated in order to sequence you in to the same billing cycle as the rest of your neighbourhood.

Adopting older dogs

Just as with children, puppies tend to get adopted more quickly than older dogs. Puppies are in demand, but don’t miss out on being the owner of a great pet by bypassing a more mature dog.

There’s really no truth in the adage, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”.

Housetraining an older dog actually takes a lot less time than with a puppy. These canine adults and senior citizens still have a lot to offer, given the chance.

Dogs usually bond quickly with people who give them a home outside of the shelter. Older dogs are smart and grateful companions. And there would be no puppy shenanigans with these guys -- no puppy puddles and chewed-up slippers. Why not enrich your life, as well as the life of a venerable older canine? Give mature dogs a chance.

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Foster Care

>> Meet the fostered dogs

Even if you can’t provide a permanent home for a dog, you can still help out by offering a much-needed temporary foster home to a shelter dog. The foster program is always looking for new members.

Why should I take on a foster dog?

Providing a foster home to a dog helps:

the shelter since there is only a limited amount of space, staff and resources to care for animals
animals that have endured hardship and could really use a loving home where they can get used to living with people again while waiting to find a permanent home
the pound maintain its pro-adoption policy
provide great lesson in compassion, nurturing, and generosity to children in a home.

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Who needs foster care?

The dogs in greatest need of foster care and rehabilitation are:

older dogs
dogs with health problems
mothers and puppies (Fostering a litter of puppies a great way for your family to experience raising baby animals without adding to the pet overpopulation problems)
dogs with behavioral problems or unaccustomed to living indoors
any dog who has been at the shelter for more than three months.

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What does it take to foster a dog?

We’re looking for foster parents with a love for animals, unending patience, and time to spend working with a dog who needs you. It also helps if you have:

a safely fenced yard
a safe uncarpeted room or crate for housetraining, if needed
at least one person home a lot of the time (or able to visit at lunch)
some knowledge of canine behaviour or training is helpful.

Saying goodbye

When your foster dog finally finds a permanent home, parting can be difficult. But you should feel proud of the love and care you’ve shown and your commitment to helping the shelter stay a pro-adoption facility. You’ll be free to take on another new canine project as soon as you are ready and are encouraged to help us out by placing the dog with a friend or family member.

If you are interested in joining our foster program or adopting one of the dogs we now have in foster care, please call the shelter at 604-871-6888 (MUTT).

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Questions or Comments? Contact: animalcontrol@vancouver.ca