About Project Paws Dog Rescue
Where do your dogs come from?
Our dogs come from a few different situations:
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Northern Dogs — our rescue program often helps dogs in remote, northern communities.
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Shelter Rescue — we intake animals from overflowing shelters in Ontario and Quebec.
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Owner Surrenders — we accept owner surrenders from across Ontario to help save as many lives as possible.
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Returned Adoptions — we make a lifetime commitment to every animal we rescue. If an adopter can no longer keep a dog they adopted from us, we ask that the dog comes back to us.
Are you a registered charity?
Currently we are a registered not-for-profit organization and are working towards our charity status. We are a small team entirely run by volunteers.
Do you have a physical shelter for your adoptable dogs?
No—we do not have a boarding facility. All of our dogs live in foster homes until they're adopted, which is why foster volunteers are so essential to what we do.
Adopting A PPDR Dog
How do I adopt one of your dogs?
Fill out an adoption application for the dog you're interested in. Our team will review your application and if we feel you are a good fit, we will follow up with next steps, including a screening process. You can review our adoption process here.
Please note that due to our small team size and volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to every applicant if we determine that the dog may not be the right fit for your home or lifestyle. This doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your application—we are simply looking to find the best possible match for each dog.
How long does the adoption process take?
Once we have our initial phone call, it usually takes between 1-2 weeks to complete the adoption process.
Are your dogs spayed/neutered and vaccinated?
Yes. Before adoption, all PPDR dogs are spayed/neutered and receive age-appropriate vaccines as well as any other necessary veterinary care.
Can I meet a dog before applying?
The first step is to fill out an adoption application for the specific dog you're interested in. Completing and submitting this form does not mean you are obligated to adopt if you change your mind, however, it is an important tool for us to determine whether the dog would be a good match for your home.
What is your adoption fee?
The adoption fee for our dogs is $975. This covers their basic medical care including spay/neuter, vaccinations, bloodwork, microchipping and 4DX for dogs older than one year.
Fostering A PPDR Dog
How do I become a foster?
Fill out our foster application. Our foster coordinator will follow up with a phone call to go over what fostering involves and answer any questions you might have.
Can I foster if I work full-time?
Yes. Our foster application helps us match you with a dog whose needs fit your schedule—for example, we would pair you with a foster dog that does well being alone during the workday, paired with exercise before and after work.
Can I foster a dog if I don't have a fenced yard?
Yes. Even foster homes with fenced yards are asked to supervise all outdoor time with foster dogs, and to keep them leashed on walks. A fenced yard isn't a requirement.
How long will the foster dog stay in my home?
Ideally, until they're adopted—this can mean only a few weeks but can be up to a couple of months. Since we don't have our own shelter facility, fosters are a dog's home in between homes. If you find that you cannot continue fostering at any time while you have one of our dogs in your care, no stress! With adequate notice and sufficient time, we can find another foster home for that dog.
Do I need to provide supplies for the foster dog myself?
No—we will provide all of the supplies needed to look after and care for your foster dog.
Do I need to pay for veterinary care?
No—Project Paws covers all medical care for foster dogs at our approved veterinary clinics. Any vet visit must be authorized by a PPDR representative first.
What if my foster dog gets sick or injured?
Contact a PPDR representative immediately—we have clear guidelines for everything from minor symptoms to emergencies, and we're always here to help you through any issues you might be facing.
Can I foster if I have personal pets?
Often, yes—but it will depend on the foster dog and whether or not they do well with other dogs. We also recommend making sure that your pets are healthy and up to date on vaccines.
General & Getting Involved
How can I help if I can't adopt or foster right now?
There are lots of ways to help: we are always looking for help with transport, donating, sharing our posts and adoptable dogs on social media, or attending an adoption event.
Do you take donations?
Yes! Donations are invaluable and directly support veterinary care, food, and supplies for dogs in our rescue. Donations can be
e-transferred to projectpawsdr@gmail.com or submitted via our PayPal.
I want to surrender my dog—what do I do?
Please fill out our surrender form and someone from our team will follow up with you.
Do you host adoption events?
Yes—we hold adoption events throughout the year where you can meet adoptable dogs in person. Follow us on Facebook/Instagram for upcoming event details.