Are you planning to adopt a dog? If yes, then why not consider a rescue dog?
In animal rescue shelters, there is plenty of unwanted dog waiting to be adopted. So, why not give them a try?
When adopting a dog, you will certainly find a perfect match from rescue centers near your area.
Don’t worry; finding the perfect dog for is never a daunting task. In this post, we will help you find the will match what you are looking for.
Below are valuable ideas that will help you find a reputable rescue if you plan to adopt a puppy or a dog:
Reason to Adopt A Dog
It’s essential to know exactly why you want to adopt a dog. Before going straight to rescue, you need to answer:
- Do you want a dog for protection?
- Are you looking for a new dog that can join your existing dog?
- Do you want a companion at home?
- Are you looking for a dog that can accompany you to take long walks with or go hiking?
- Are you planning to do agility with a dog?
Be aware that your answers to the above questions are useful in deciding the dog’s energy level that will be the perfect fit.
Type of Dog
For sure, you have a dog in mind that you want to adopt. If not yet, you can perform research on which breed will match your personality, lifestyle, and other factors.
You can take advantage of a dog breed matchup quizzes online to see what type of dog will suit you best.
Furthermore, you also need to check whether or not the nearest rescue has the type of dog you are looking for.
Make sure that the shelter has complete experience when it comes to handling the breed you want.
Ask for Recommendations
Do you have no idea where to start? Well, feel free to talk to your family members or friends who are pet parents.
For sure, they will give you a good recommendation
To start your search, you can ask the people you trust about the requirements you need to complete for adopting a dog from a rescue.
These may include a foster period, a home check, and others.
It would be a nice idea to choose a rescue that they used to work with in the past.
That way, rest assured that you are in good hands, and you will end up with a dog that you want you to bring into your love.
So, do not forget to consider a trusted recommended per parent friends.
The General Process
Be aware shelters come with a “first come, first served” policy in terms of adoption.
You need to act ready after you figure out the type of dog you want.
Do some research about the adoption fees. Typically, a shelter posts the adoption application online.
Your job is to review it for you to be familiar with the information you need to provide.
Once you made your mind, which shelters you want to adopt, get your wallet, ID, as well as contact information for your vet or even for your landlord.
You may also include other personal references. After that, you can head your way to the shelter.
You can bring your spouse and kids to the shelter and show them the dog you wish to adopt.
It suggested that apart from your family members, you can also bring your other pets to meet your new dog.
That way, they can get along and feel good about the new member of the family.
Steps to Take
To help you have a bigger picture of what you need to do when you arrive at your chosen shelter, you can take the following steps:
- Take A Tour and Meet the Dogs
Generally, dogs have an information sheet posted on their cages. Take time to read the information like age, breed, training, restrictions, and medical conditions.
If a particular dog is not good with young children or other dogs, the shelter will include this information on the sheet.
- Narrow Down to One or Two Dogs
For sure, one or two may stick out to you after touring the shelter. You can tell the workers that you want to get to know about these dogs better.
- Interact with the Dogs Privately
Most of the time, shelters encourage private interaction between the dogs and the potential owners.
Generally, there is a particular room where you can play and interact with the dog.
This room will give you a normal environment alike to get more familiar with the dog.
Introduce the Dog to Your Family
If you finally found the perfect dog, you can call your family together with other pets to come to the shelter.
In case the dog does not get along with any in your household, do not hesitate to walk away from it.
The Adoption Process
In the adoption process, you need to consider the following:
- Contact the Shelter
Make contact via phone or email if you want to adopt a dog from a rescue organization.
Note that only a few rescue organizations have facilities that are used for touring and meeting the dogs.
That is because the shelters attempt to place these dogs with foster parents as often as possible.
- Fill Out the Initial Adoption Application Form
Before meeting or taking home the dog, you may be required to fill out the application form.
Some applications include questions that require deeper explanation. For instance, how your adoption will be affected by life events, especially if you have a baby or your opinions on certain dog behaviors.
Furthermore, some shelters focus on particular breed while others foster dogs for some time before they let adoption.
This will help them become more effective in matching specific dogs to adoptive pet parents.
- Start the Interview Process
Once you complete the initial application, it’s time to start the adoption process.
Be aware this process varies from one rescue center to another. However, you may need to deal with a phone interview and a home visit.
After that, the shelter will decide whether or not your application is being approved.
Conclusion
Yes, you may buy a dog from a pet shop. However, would it be nicer if you choose to adopt a rescue dog?
There are thousands of rescue dogs waiting to have a new family. Imagine, these dogs are longing for care and love that you may provide.
Do not hesitate to go to a rescue center if you plan to adopt a new pet.
Every dog from a rescue deserved to have a loving foster family. Once you are ready to adopt a dog, decide which dog breed will make you and your family happy.
Always remember that it’s not enough that you like to adopt because it is a serious responsibility to take.
You will give them not only food and new shelter but also time and affection.
We hope that this post helped you a lot. So, get ready for a pet parent and give the love and care that your chosen dog deserves!
