Daily Living
Adopting a Pet in PEI: The Humane Society Process
One application per animal, and only successful applicants get contacted. Here is exactly how the PEI Humane Society's adoption process works, plus current fees for cats, dogs, and small pets.
1. One Application, One Named Animal
The PEI Humane Society in Charlottetown requires a separate application for each specific animal you're interested in, and the animal must be currently listed as available on their website; applications for stray animals or animals not yet listed aren't accepted. Submitting multiple simultaneous applications for the same animal doesn't improve your odds and can cancel your prior submissions, so apply once per animal and list every animal name you'd consider in that single application.
2. The Process, Step by Step
- Submit an online application for a specific, currently listed animal
- Only approved applicants are contacted, typically within 2-3 business days; there's no formal waitlist
- A meet-and-greet may be arranged, though it isn't required for every animal
- If approved, you'll sign the adoption contract and pay the fee
- Schedule pickup
Dog adopters must bring their own properly fitted buckle collar and leash at pickup; retractable leashes aren't accepted, and dogs cannot ride in the back of a pickup truck.
3. Current Adoption Fees
| Animal | Fee |
|---|---|
| Kitten (under 6 months) | $250 (1) / $400 (2) |
| Adult cat | $200 (1) / $300 (2) |
| Senior cat (8+) | $125 (1) / $200 (2) |
| Puppy (under 6 months) | $550 (1) / $825 (2) |
| Adult dog | $400 (1) / $600 (2) |
| Senior dog (8+) | $250 (1) / $350 (2) |
| Rabbit | $175 |
| Guinea pig | $50 (1) / $75 (2) |
Every fee includes spay/neuter, microchip ID, vaccinations to date, flea/tick/worm treatment if needed, and 30 days of introductory Sheltercare pet insurance.
4. Farm Cats: A PEI-Specific Option
If you have a working farm or a heated outbuilding, the Humane Society runs a working-cat program specifically for barn mousers: a reduced $90 fee, with the cat already spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. It's framed explicitly as a mutual benefit: you get pest control, the cat gets a stable home.
5. After You Adopt
License your dog with your municipality right away (see the companion article on PEI dog licensing bylaws) and register with a local vet for follow-up care, since the adoption fee's included vaccinations and spay/neuter don't extend to ongoing wellness visits.