Are animals vaccinated and sterilized in shelters?

Calgary is known as a city with progressive animal welfare policies, where shelters not only fulfill a social mission of rescuing stray pets, but also play an important role in ensuring their medical safety. Vaccination and sterilization are essential medical procedures in the comprehensive care provided to dogs, cats, and other animals that end up in shelters. Such programs promote a healthy biobalance in the city, help control the population, and minimize the risk of infection.

Vaccination: the most important aspects

The vast majority of shelters in Calgary, such as the Calgary Humane Society and the city's Animal Services, require mandatory vaccination for all animals that come into their facilities. Vaccination includes several key steps:

  • Initial examination upon arrival. All animals undergo an initial veterinary examination, testing for infectious diseases, and age-appropriate vaccinations.

  • Standard vaccination package. For dogs, this usually includes vaccinations against rabies, parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parainfluenza. For cats, vaccinations against rabies, panleukopenia, calicivirus, and herpes are required source. Some shelters may also include vaccinations against chlamydia (for cats) or bordetella (for dogs).

  • Documentation of vaccination status. The new owner receives a veterinary passport with a complete list of vaccinations and a schedule for future vaccinations.

This policy minimizes the risk of disease spread among animals in the shelter and protects new owners.

Spaying and neutering: population control and health

Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) are an integral part of the standard adoption procedure in Calgary. The main goals are to control the stray animal population, prevent uncontrolled breeding, improve behavior, and reduce the risk of cancer and aggression.

  • All shelters guarantee that the procedure will be performed before the pet is transferred to its new owner (or provide a voucher/referral for future sterilization if the animal is too young) source.

  • Operations are performed by licensed veterinarians, and the shelter or partner clinics cover the costs.

  • The new owner receives an official sterilization certificate or referral, which is required to register the animal and obtain a license at the lowest rate.

Additional medical procedures

In addition to vaccination and sterilization, shelters in Calgary provide:

  • treatment for parasites (worms, ticks, fleas),
  • testing for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV/FELV) for cats,
  • treatment of chronic or acute illnesses before transfer to new owners,
  • microchipping (implantation of an electronic identifier).

All procedures are recorded in a veterinary passport, which is a key document for further care.

Cost and financing of medical services

The cost of vaccination and sterilization is already included in the standard adoption fee. This means that new owners not only get a healthy animal, but also a real economic bonus, as similar procedures can cost several hundred dollars privately.

Shelters finance medical services through the city budget, private donors, grant programs, and support from partner veterinary clinics.

Impact of vaccination and sterilization on society

These systematic procedures allow us to:

  • reduce the number of stray animals;
  • minimize the risk of epidemics among animals and humans;
  • protect the health of families and children who adopt pets;
  • increase the level of responsible animal care in the city.

Special considerations for newly arrived Ukrainians

All vaccination and sterilization documents are provided in writing, often with a translation of the main recommendations. Shelter volunteers and partner clinics help explain schedules, organize additional vaccinations, and provide informational materials in Ukrainian or Russian.

Conclusion

Vaccination and sterilization are mandatory and guaranteed components of pet care in Calgary shelters. All animals undergo a comprehensive medical examination before adoption, receive the necessary vaccinations and (when they reach the appropriate age) are sterilized or neutered. This ensures their health, prevents unwanted breeding, and ensures the safest possible integration into their new family. The new owner receives a complete package of relevant documents, advice, and practical support, while society gains a powerful tool for protecting the humane treatment of animals.