Montreal SPCA’s no-fee adoption day brings pets and families together

In just the first six months of 2024, 6,200 animals were brought to the Montreal SPCA. On Monday, the shelter waived adoption fees to help find homes for cats, dogs, rabbits, birds and small animals.

“I think it’s important that we wait to really have a good match before adopting animals, because it’s obviously quite a long-term commitment,” said Yuecheng Huang.

After a three hour wait under the rain, Huang finally entered the shelter at 11:15 a.m. The Montreal SPCA was packed, and staff members were ready to find families for more than 200 animals located in the shelter and 600 in foster homes.

All those interested in adopting an animal were still asked to go through the SPCA’s regular adoption process, including a meeting with their adoption counsellors.

“I mean basic information, name and everything, but also if I have other animals at home, do you have children at home? If I live with other people and if I would like to have my cat declawed, which is no, I wouldn’t do that,” said Huang.

“I wanted two cats that really get along together, and then there’s two kittens right now. But two kittens right now, I can’t be home all the time unfortunately, so it’s gonna be hard for me to really properly take care of them. But there is another pair, which is one adult cat and one kitten. And the person working currently seems to be thinking that the adult cat is gonna sometimes take care of the kitten. I think it’s gonna be a good match.”

Huang says he found the process streamlined, smooth, and fast.

“I did ask some questions like, for example, their current health conditions, status, and I got exactly what I wanted to know. And it shows that they really care about their cats,” said Huang.

Even though he brought two carriers, the cats weren’t quite ready to go home yet.

“So they’re still there, because they’re very young, both of them. So they’re still waiting to get sterilized, basically. And that’s gonna take a few more days and on the day that they do get sterilized, they’re gonna give me a call and then I can pick them up the day after.

“They’re definitely adorable… I’m very excited.”