Adopt from a Shelter
Step 1
Check out the shelter’s website. Many shelters have photos and basic information about available dogs online. Basic information includes:
- known medical issues
- known behavioral issues
- estimated age
- breed
- adoption fee
- weight
- gender
- previous living environment if known
Step 2
Ask shelter workers if they have any favorites and why.
Step 3
If there is a dog you are interested in, ask the shelter staff if there is a separate area where you can interact with the dog. Be sure that everyone in the family interacts with the dog. Request to walk the dog outside so you can observe its behavior on a leash and around different smells and sounds.
Tips:
- Don’t make eye contact
- Go to shelter during non-rush hours
- Bring a trainer to help you assess the energy
- Even quiet dogs will bark in a kennel where other dogs are barking
- Remember some breeds have a smile that shows their teeth which can lead them to be thought of as mean or scary
- Take care to pay attention to black dogs; due to their color they are often overlooked
- If possible, visit the dog you are interested in a couple of different days at different times of the day to observe any variation in energy level and behavior
- If you already have a dog at home, bring him/her with you or be careful to observe how prospectives get along with other dogs at the shelter.
Step 4
The shelter may perform an interview where they ask you about previous experience with pets. This is to ensure a good match.
If you need more time to think, some facilities allow you to put a hold on an animal. Costs for this vary.
Step 5
Once you’ve made your decision, you’ll likely be able to take the dog home that day.
You will need to pay the adoption fee and complete the application.
Get copies of any health records there might be from the past as well as the records showing what medical services the dog received while staying at the shelter. They will likely register the dog’s microchip, as well.
Step 6
If you plan to enroll in obedience classes or know you will need doggy day care or don’t have a veterinarian in mind, ask the shelter staff for recommendations.
Adopt from a Rescue Organization
Step 1
View the rescue organization’s website. It’s possible it will take you to petfinder.com, a central repository for many rescue organizations. Basic information provided usually includes but is not limited to:
- known medical issues
- known behavioral issues
- estimated age
- breed
- adoption fee
- weight
- gender
- previous living environment if known
Often the rescue dog’s foster parent will post updates with information about how the dog is with children, cats, other dogs. Sometimes they’ll post videos and additional photos as well.
Step 2
Once you decide which dog(s) you are interested in meeting, you will complete an application which is located on the rescue group’s website.
Step 3
The application will be sent to the foster parent who will review it and if she feels a match is possible, she will contact you to set up a time to meet. Be sure the entire family is present, including other dogs, so you can observe how everyone interacts
Keep in mind that fosters are volunteers. It is helpful if you can try to meet their scheduling requests
Tips:
- Don’t make eye contact
- Don’t rush up to the dog. Sit or stand calmly and let the dog approach you
- Bring a trainer to help you assess the energy
- Remember some breeds have a smile that shows their teeth which can lead them to be thought of as mean or scary
- If possible, take the dog for a walk to observe its behavior on-leash
- If you already have a dog at home, bring him/her with you
Step 4
The foster parent should let you know if there are others who have indicated interest in the dog. Once everyone has met, the foster parent usually has enough information to make a decision. That decision is contingent upon a home visit.
If the foster believes your family would be a good match, she’ll schedule a time with you to visit your house. The home visit ensures that the dog won’t be living outside and that the inside of the house is safe.
Sometimes, if the foster is confident about the placement, she will bring the dog with her and, if satisfied with the visit, leave her there.
Step 5
Before the foster leaves, you’ll need to pay the adoption fee. It is usually done online.
She will go over the health records and the adoption contract
Step 6
Get copies of any health records there might be from the past as well as the records showing what medical services the dog received while staying at the shelter.
Step 7
If you plan to enroll in obedience classes or know you will need doggy day care or don’t have a veterinarian in mind, ask the foster if she or the rescue group has any recommendations
photo credit: Bubble Dog by carterse via Google Images
photo credit: lab puppies by Jason Hollinger via Wylio.com
photo credit: two dogs at adoption event by Virginia Travis via Wylio.com
