No pets left for adoption at Dartmouth, N.S., animal shelter as demand outweighs supply

Bide Awhile Animal Shelter in Dartmouth has no animals up for adoption – thanks to skyrocketing demand.

The Bide Awhile Animal Shelter in Dartmouth, N.S., has seen a huge demand for adoptions of all pets, and now they have none for adoption.

“It happened today, yesterday and the day before. We post them at 9:30 in the morning and by 10 o’clock we have a lineup out front and by noon they are all adopted,” says Liesje Somers-Blonde, Bide Awhile Animal Shelter executive director.

The adoption rate at this animal shelter continues to climb for all dogs, cats and kittens.

In 2025, they had 500 adoptions and so far this year they’ve helped 30 animals find their forever homes.

“It’s crazy to say but today we actually have no one available for adoption. Everyone is either adopted and waiting for their veterinary health certificate,” says Sam Cole, communications and marketing coordinator.

Cole says it started picking up in the spring and hasn’t slowed down since. The longest stay they have seen so far has been 21 days. The majority of pets are claimed the same day their availability is announced. Even adult cats, which are typically harder to home, are no longer here.

“Last year around this time, adult cats and senior cats or cats with medical complications were staying in the shelter a little bit longer than your average kitten that is quickly scooped up by a fun-loving family. But this year we are not even seeing that. Our adults, our seniors and our medical complications are getting adopted the same day they are posted. It has been nonstop since the doors opened this January,” says Cole.

This team attributed the boost in part to the companionship and mental health benefits pets can offer.

Bide Awhile also offers incentives to foster older pets.

“If you foster an older cat or dog, we cover the cost of all the medical visits, all their medications,” says Somers-Blonde.

Last year’s waitlist to adopt kittens was around 300, so to get ahead of the demand this year, they have switched from a waitlist to a walk-in system.

They encourage potential adopters to check their website before showing up to ensure the animal they want is still available.

“We are hoping to have some coming up for adoption this week and if not, next week. We have the vet here today doing some veterinary health certificates and getting everybody ready for adoption,” says Cole.

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