Are there shelters for exotic animals?

Calgary has an extensive network of specialized shelters and rescue organizations for exotic animals that provide important services for a variety of non-traditional pets. This system includes both general shelters that accept exotic animals and specialized organizations that focus on specific species.

Leading organization for exotic animals: Cobb's Exotic Animal Rescue

The most important specialized organization for exotic animals in Calgary is Cobb's Exotic Animal Rescue & Education Foundation (CEAR). This non-profit organization was created out of a need for a local center that specializes in working with exotic animals and providing them with the unique care they require.

The organization was founded out of a realization that too many people purchase exotic animals without thinking about the long-term implications. Many of these animals outgrow their space and outlive their owners, resulting in them being sold and resold, and sometimes even disposed of inhumane ways.

CEAR is based at Cobb's Adventure Park and is home to hundreds of animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, llamas, emus, porcupines, and many other exotic species. The organization has two main missions:

  1. To ensure the safety and well-being of animals by providing permanent homes, rehabilitation, proper nutrition, and veterinary care.
  2. To educate the public in order to reduce the thoughtless purchase of exotic animals.

CEAR's founders have over 30 years of experience working with exotic animals.

  • Maureen Sheppard and Michael Sheppard have dedicated their lives to working with exotic animals and own numerous businesses.
  • Mark Powers has 19 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.

Calgary Humane Society and exotic animals

Calgary Humane Society is one of the largest shelters in the city and takes in exotic animals along with traditional pets. As of August 2025, there are 23 exotic animals on their list of animals available for adoption, including rabbits, birds, reptiles, and fish.

The list of exotic animals available for adoption includes:

  • parrots (budgies),
  • rabbits of various breeds (including Rex and Löwihaar),
  • snakes,
  • turtles (such as a 35-year-old red-eared slider named Marge),
  • lizards, and even fish.

Adoption fees:

  • guinea pigs — $35,
  • hedgehogs — $100,
  • chinchillas — $75,
  • ferrets — $100.

The Calgary Humane Society operates as an open-admission shelter: they accept all animals, regardless of their medical condition or behavioral issues. In 2023, the shelter was overwhelmed with animal surrenders due to rising costs of care, with approximately 35 exotic animals on the waiting list.

Specialized bird shelters

Birdline Parrot Rescue

Birdline Parrot Rescue is a registered charity based in Calgary that specializes in parrots. The organization was founded in 2006 after an encounter with an injured African gray parrot, which became the catalyst for the rescue and placement of over 300 parrots.

The organization's activities include:

  • rehabilitation of parrots, which can take months or years;
  • providing foster families with all the necessary resources for care;
  • educational activities on parrot welfare.

Greta's Roost Parrot Rescue Society

Greta's Roost Parrot Rescue Society serves Southern Alberta, including Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and surrounding areas. The organization is named after Greta, a legless orange-winged Amazon who joined the founder's family in 2019.

Organization features:

  • Operates through a network of foster families;
  • Provides cages, food, comfort items, and veterinary care;
  • All adoptions include lifetime support;
  • Calgary residents receive a one-year membership to the Calgary Parrot Club.

Small mammal shelters

Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES)

Ferret Rescue & Education Society is a charitable organization founded by a group of ferret owners in the Calgary area. The organization helps find homes for ferrets and provides shelter, food, veterinary care, and rehabilitation.

  • FRES operates entirely on a volunteer basis.
  • It works with Calgary veterinarians to obtain discounts on treatment.
  • To date, FRES has rehabilitated over 200 ferrets.

Serenity Guinea Pig & Friends Rescue

Serenity Guinea Pig & Friends Rescue rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes guinea pigs and other small animals such as rabbits and hamsters. They provide:

  • intake services,
  • a foster program,
  • a boarding facility for pets.

Rabbit shelters

Against All Odds Rabbit Rescue (AAORR)

AAORR was founded in Calgary through the Canadian Rabbit Hopping Club when people began turning in unwanted, abandoned, or injured rabbits. The organization takes in a limited number of animals and places them in foster homes, as well as educating owners on proper care.

Wild Rose Rabbit Rescue

Wild Rose Rabbit Rescue is a grassroots organization founded by Gizelle Becker in Calgary. It rescues sick, injured, and traumatized wild rabbits, operates solely on donations, and directs all funds toward medical treatment and care.

General organizations supporting exotic animals

Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS)

AARCS is an animal welfare organization with a program for “small animals” (critters), which includes rabbits, guinea pigs, and other exotic pets.

  • Adoption fee: $20–$250.
  • The organization emphasizes that even small animals have big needs.
  • Rabbits are not accepted for cage boarding.

Archie's Exotic Pet Rescue

Archie's Exotic Pet Rescue (formerly Archie's Angels Rabbit Rescue) is a volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing exotic animals: rabbits, small mammals, and reptiles. The organization provides:

  • medical care,
  • animal intake,
  • community education programs.

Veterinary support and specialized services

Specialized veterinary care is available in Calgary. Calgary Avian & Exotic Pet Clinic is the only practice in Alberta dedicated to the health of all types of exotic pets, including birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, rodents, and more.

Services are also provided by:

  • Stoney Trail Veterinary Clinic
  • Southpointe Pet Hospital

Wildlife rehabilitation

Two organizations in Calgary are involved in wildlife rehabilitation:

  • Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society
  • Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation

Calgary Wildlife takes in 1,600–3,000 injured or orphaned animals annually and handles over 8,000 calls about wildlife.

Surrender and acceptance procedures

Most shelters require an appointment to surrender an animal. The Calgary Humane Society uses a triage waiting list system. You will need to:

  • fill out a surrender form,
  • provide information about the animal's history.

Many organizations charge a surrender fee to cover the cost of care. For example, Tails to Tell charges $150.

Educational programs and community support

Cobb's Exotic Animal Rescue holds educational events, including the Wildlife Festival, which teaches responsible exotic pet ownership.

Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society (TARAS) organizes the Calgary Reptile Expo and promotes education about reptiles and amphibians.

Challenges and needs

Shelters face challenges:

  • In 2023, the Calgary Humane Society temporarily stopped accepting animals due to overcrowding (35 exotic animals on the waiting list).
  • Archie's Exotic Pet Rescue in Lethbridge declared a state of emergency in 2024 due to a financial crisis.

Regional resources

Prairie Exotics in Manitoba accepts exotic animals from across Canada:

  • over 300 animals,
  • 80 acres of land,
  • no municipal restrictions.

Conclusion

The network of exotic animal shelters in Calgary is comprehensive and diverse, offering:

  • specialized services,
  • professional support,
  • resources for exotic animal owners.

Owners can take advantage of both large organizations such as the Calgary Humane Society and specialized centers such as Cobb's Exotic Animal Rescue.

These organizations not only rescue animals, but also actively engage in public education about responsible ownership of exotic pets.