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Puppies and dogs in Kitchener, Ontario

Looking for a puppy or dog in Kitchener, Ontario? Adopt a Pet can help you find a new best friend near you.

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Adopt a dog in Kitchener, Ontario

These adorable dogs are available for adoption in Kitchener, Ontario. To learn more about each adoptable dog, click on the "i" icon for fast facts, or their photo or name for full details.
Photo of Jagger

Jagger

Border Collie Husky

Male, 10 yrs 8 mos
Cambridge, ON
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Not good with kids, Not good with dogs, Not good with cats, Needs experienced adopter, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Jagger is an 8 year old border collie / husky cross. He is 60 lbs of short creamy white fur with a striking dappled red nose & ears. He has a truly goofy grin when he’s happy and his expressive toffee brown eyes make it hard to stay mad at him for any length of time. He is house trained and absolutely adores his crate. He often puts himself to bed in it if if his people are up past his bedtime. He also likes to nap on the couch. Jagger loves playtime, his absolute favourite toy is his tug rope. He’ll amaze you at how fast plush toys can be taken apart. However, he is very gentle with his rubber toys. He tends to get bored, so rotating his toys is a good idea. Outside he plays with a large rubber ball but has the typical husky attitude after a few throws of “if you lose it again it’s not my problem “. Jagger has never truly played with a Frisbee, but given the space would astound you at how high he can jump. He is very smart and learns quickly. He’s food motivated and knows sit, down, wait, look at me, with me, turn, and of course high five. Jagger leans more towards his husky side. He walks well on his gentle leader but still has a tendency to pull when distracted. He likes nothing better than to see new places, he occasionally gets car sick but this is solved by timing his meals accordingly. Jagger is fascinated by water but doesn’t want to be in it, he will avoid puddles at all costs and take you home if it starts to rain on a walk. He loves being around it and will bring you right to the water’s edge, just don’t try to make him go in. Jagger is dog reactive, and will bark and lunge when he sees other dogs. This is behaviour can lead to him redirecting on whoever is near. When unable to escape he does have some leash aggression, interpreting any movement towards him as a threat. He has been making great strides towards correcting this, and rarely reacts to neighboring dogs. He would benefit greatly from a course specializing in reactive dogs. Jagger is an absolute sweetheart. He’s a cuddly fun boy that would do well in a dog savvy home with a well fenced yard with people willing to provide the training that the high energy and northern breeds need. He needs a quiet adult home with no other pets and experienced owners. Jagger is available for adoption together through Grand River All Breed rescue. The adoption donation is $400. All of our dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated as part of their adoption. If you’d like to adopt, please fill out an application. You can also reach us by email at GrandRiverRescue@hotmail.com.
Photo of Adele

Adele

Husky German Shepherd Dog

Female, Young
Cambridge, ON
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Adele / Spayed Female / 1.5 Year old / 50 pounds / Dogs: Yes / Cats: No / Kids: Yes / Adele, or “Delly” as her foster affectionately calls her, is a 1.5-year-old Northern Mix from our friends at Northern Reach Network. When Adele first arrived, she was a scared, anxious, and underweight dog, having already been through the hardship of having a litter of puppies. Since then, she’s blossomed into a playful, affectionate, and sweet dog who is eager to bond with her people. Adele absolutely loves other dogs and would do well with a more mature dog to help her burn off energy and guide her as she continues to build her confidence. This super smart, curious, and adventurous girl is full of love. She’s especially fond of toys—particularly stuffies that she enjoys “wrecking”—as well as chewing on sticks and figuring out her Kong. Adele is also a cuddle bug who loves belly rubs and pets. She’s becoming more playful every day and is increasingly confident in new situations. She has a cute, high-pitched yawn that’s earned her the nickname “kettle,” and her need for affection is matched only by her eagerness to please. Adele would thrive in an active home where she’s kept physically and mentally stimulated. She would prefer someone home more often than not to keep her company and offer her the attention she craves. Due to her past experiences, she needs an experienced, patient owner who can provide her with the time and care she needs to continue to grow into the confident, happy dog she’s meant to be. If you’re looking for a sweet companion who’s ready to love and bring joy into your home, Adele might just be the perfect fit! Adele is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. She is currently fostered in Pickering. Apply to adopt! https://forms.gle/B9bqj6MQ9kYrNRxB7
Photo of Lexi

Lexi

Poodle (Standard)

Female, Young
Cambridge, ON
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Not good with kids, Not good with dogs, Good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Lexi / Spayed Female / 1.5 Years / Poodle Mix / 45lbs / Dogs: Not in Home / Cats: Yes / Kids: 13+ / Location: Port Colborne Meet Lexi, a playful and affectionate poodle mix who’s a little bit of everything—rumored to have some German Shepherd, hound, and more in her! She’s turning two this April and is ready to find her forever home. Lexi is a cuddle lover who enjoys fetch, trail walks, and running around outside. Bonus: her recall is fantastic! While Lexi can be a bit jealous of sharing her humans, she’s a social butterfly when it comes to playing with other dogs—just not in her own home. Because of this, we’re looking for a no-pet home where Lexi can be the one and only dog, soaking up all the love and attention she deserves. She’s house and crate trained, and she’s a dream in the car—perfect for road trips or tag-along adventures! Great news—Lexi is also good with cats! She wouldn’t mind sharing her home with a cat (or a few), so if you have feline friends, she’s all for it! Lexi would thrive in an active household, especially one that loves outdoor activities like hiking. She’s met some kids and did well with them, but due to her high energy, we recommend older kids who can keep up with her! Lexi is sweet, affectionate, and has come so far on her journey. We can’t wait to see her continue to grow and flourish in her forever family. If you’re looking for a loyal, loving companion who’s ready for adventure, Lexi might just be the one for you! Lexi is spayed, vaccinated, and is microchipped. She is being fostered in Port Colborne. Apply to Adopt! https://forms.gle/LYPUZurhowtBTNYE8
Photo of Chance

Chance

Labrador Retriever

Male, Young
Cambridge, ON
Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Not good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Chance / Neutered Male / 65lbs / Black Lab mix / Dogs: Yes / Cats: No / Kids: Yes Remember Chance? This sweet boy came to us from Manitoba in mid-December, and after completing his veterinary work, he’s now ready to find his forever family! 🐾❤️ Chance is a cuddle lover through and through. Whether it’s snuggling up with his humans or lounging around with his foster sister Willow, he’s always ready for some affection. When he’s not napping or snuggling, you can catch him playing with his favorite squeaky toys, or looking out the window for people watching opportunities. He’s got a big heart and is super smart—he already knows sit, focus, lay down, and shake a paw! 🐶 Though Chance has the energy of a young Lab, he’s also incredibly sweet and gentle. He loves people of all ages (especially when they give belly rubs!) and is great with other dogs. He’s also food-motivated and eager to please, which makes him an ideal candidate for continued training. Chance would thrive in an active home where he can burn off his energy and continue to learn new skills. He would absolutely benefit from obedience classes to help him become the best boy he can be. 🏃‍♂️💡 Chance is not cat-friendly and should not be adopted into a home with cats or small pets. He’s house-trained and does okay in the crate, but would benefit from ongoing crate training and structure. He LOVES car rides and can’t wait to hit the road with his new family! 🚗💨 Chance is a truly kind and loving soul who’s ready to bring so much joy to his forever family. If you think you can provide the active and loving home this boy deserves, apply today! 💖 Chance is neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. He is being fostered in Guelph. Apply to adopt below! https://forms.gle/Z4CjabwDck8EKofv8
Photo of Dolly

Dolly

Treeing Walker Coonhound Hound (Unknown Type)

Female, Young
Cambridge, ON
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Good with cats, House-trained, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Adoptive or foster to adopt home needed! Dolly / 1.5yo / Female Spayed / Hound Mix / 50lbs / Dogs: Yes / Cats: Yes / Kids: 8+ 🎉 Meet Dolly (formerly Starla)! 🎉 This beautiful 1.5-year-old hound mix was adopted in the spring, but unfortunately, she was returned just before Christmas. Dolly is back and ready for her forever home, and she’s been spending the last 7 weeks with our friends at MNM K-9 getting a refresher on her obedience skills. Dolly is a playful, energetic girl who LOVES both people and other dogs. She’s all about high-energy activities—whether that’s running, dancing along to your favorite tunes, or playing games like “find it” (scent detection) and hide-and-seek (person detection). 🐾 She’s got a love for food, especially meaty treats, and a mischievous side that makes her even more fun to be around! Dolly is super affectionate, responsive to redirection, and incredibly intelligent. Though she’s a little shy at first, once she knows you’re ready to play, she’ll become the life of the party—she even joined in on a disco dance party for the dogs, hopping around on two legs like she owned the dance floor! 🕺 She’s a social butterfly who loves wrestling and chasing dogs of all sizes around the yard, and while she’s tougher than she looks, she’s got a heart of gold and is confident in her dog friendships. 🐶 Dolly does best with a confident, empathetic owner who will be patient with her as she continues to grow. Her hesitation is rooted in her past, but with the right humans, she’ll thrive and show off all the amazing qualities that make her who she is—loving, sweet, and totally deserving of a forever family. ❤️ Dolly will be an absolute joy to whoever adopts her. If you’re ready for an energetic, affectionate, and fun-loving companion, Dolly is the girl for you! 💕 Dolly is spayed, microchipped, and up to date on her vaccines. She is being fostered in the Niagara region. Apply to adopt/foster to adopt! https://forms.gle/zAUGHE2qNRnfjuNi9
Photo of Bailey

Bailey

Shih Tzu Lhasa Apso

Female, Adult
Cambridge, ON
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs, Good with cats, Spayed or Neutered, Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Bailey / Female Spayed / 5 Years / Shih Tzu / Dogs: Yes / Cats: Yes / Kids 13+ / Meet Bailey 💖 This sweet soul came to us in November from a puppy mill, a terrified little bundle of fur. Please read her bio carefully, as we are looking for an adoptive home that fits her specific needs. Only select applicants who are a good match will be contacted. Progress has been slow, but we’ve seen so much improvement. Initially she would barely ever leave her crate. Now, she’s comfortable being in the room with people, exploring her surroundings, and showing curiosity—though she’s still quite nervous. Bailey is shy but gentle, and she doesn’t make a peep. She’s incredibly sweet and good-natured. As she becomes more comfortable, she’s growing more curious about the world around her. She enjoys being bathed and groomed, and her fur is incredibly soft. She’s learning to accept gentle petting and seems to like being on the couch, though she hasn’t figured out how to get on or off it yet. Bailey is very friendly and curious about other animals. She would thrive with a confident dog who can show her how to be a dog and guide her. She’s also good with cats! Children, however, would be a bit too much for her, so we’re looking for a quiet, adult-only home where she can feel safe and secure. Though she shows interest in treats, she’s still learning to trust that she can actually take them. She seems to do best with focused, one-on-one attention and will need someone patient who is willing to let her progress at her own pace. Bailey deserves the most perfect home after all the trauma she’s experienced. We are hopeful she will find a home where she can continue to heal and grow. Please share her story and help us find her forever family. 🐾 Bailey is up to date on vaccines and is microchipped. She is spayed and has had a dental cleaning. She is being fostered in Erin. Apply to adopt! (Foster to adopt is an option) https://forms.gle/EHz6DPekc1r44da1A

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Dog shelters and rescues in Kitchener, Ontario

There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for dogs in Kitchener, Ontario. Browse these rescues and shelters below.

Here are a few organizations closest to you:

Rescue

Grand River All Breed Rescue

PO Box 32116, Preston Postal Outlet, Cambridge, ON N3H 5M2

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, small animals

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Rescue

PVCA Cambridge Ontario

Cambridge, ON N3H 1W1

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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Shelter

Danes in Distress

1309 Michael Crescent, Cambridge, ON N3H 2R1

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

DIBS Rescue - Kitchener

Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Standard Poodles In Need, Rescue - Kitchener

Kitchener, ON N2M 3R3

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society

250 Riverbend Drive, Kitchener, ON N2B 2E9

Pet Types: cats, birds, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, small animals

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Rescue

Canadian Royal Potcake Rescue

cambridge, ON N3C 0C8

Pet Types: dogs

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Rescue

Halfway Home K9 Rescue - Cambridge

Cambridge, ON N1R 6Z5

Pet Types: dogs

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Shelter

Cambridge & District Humane Society

1650 Dunbar Road, Cambridge, ON N1R 8J5

Pet Types: cats, dogs, rabbits, small animals

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Rescue

Rescue Dogs Match

6-425 Hespeler Rd, #375, Cambridge, ON N1R 8J6

Pet Types: cats, dogs

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For a comprehensive list of all shelters and rescues, try our search page. We have more than 17,000 organizations in our database with furry pals waiting for a new home!

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