Future Dog Parents Need to Know About the Dog Adoption Process
Dogs offer immense love and loyalty, making them popular pets. About 1.6 million dogs are adopted from shelters annually, and even more are adopted from rescue groups and breeders. Once you’ve adopted a dog, you experience the joy they bring. You’ll want to have one in your life always.
Jessie Roper from Best Friends Animal Society notes that “Dogs and cats offer companionship without judgment. They provide a release from life’s stresses. They help you live in the moment. They bring a smile to your face. They just cuddle up with you on the couch after a long day. “If you’re considering adopting a dog but feel unsure about where to begin, the process might seem daunting. Should you visit your local shelter or search online? How do you know which dog is the right fit? What preparations should you make before bringing them home? Are you truly ready for a dog?
This guide provides a step-by-step walk through of the dog adoption process. It covers everything from initial consideration to bringing your new dog home. Adopting a pet is a wonderful and significant event. Let us help make the transition smooth and stress-free.
Am I Ready for a Dog?
Adopting a dog is a significant decision. Before you bring one home, consider if you’re truly ready.
Roper suggests evaluating how a dog would fit into your life. Ask yourself: Do you have time to walk a dog frequently if you don’t have a yard? Will other pets or family members accept a new dog? Are you prepared to learn basic dog training?
Think about these factors before adopting.
Stable Situation
Before adopting a dog, it’s important to consider your home life. Are things stable? Do you have plans to move? Are your children about to leave for college? Eric Merchant from Greyhound Pets of America Greater Northwest says these are important questions to ask yourself. He emphasizes that a stable environment is crucial for a dog to adjust. He avoids placing dogs in homes where people are planning to move soon or where children are leaving home.
Time
Caring for a dog takes time. Every day, you’ll need to feed your pal, take them to the bathroom, and exercise them, Merchant says. You’ll need to groom them regularly, including trimming their toenails, brushing their coat and teeth, and giving them a bath. You’ll need to take them to the veterinarian for checkups and shots. You’ll need to consider how long the dog will be a part of your life. This could be up to 10-plus years depending on the breed.
Finances
Owning a dog involves many expenses. You’ll need to budget for good food, treats, toys, and a collar. Plan for a leash and grooming tools. Medicine, supplements, a bed, and cleaning products are also necessary.
Consider ongoing costs such as vet visits, pet insurance (optional), professional grooming, and training classes. These are just initial considerations; pet ownership can be surprisingly expensive, though usually less so than raising a child.
As Merchant advises, “Adopters should be prepared to face an unexpected vet bill at any time.” You don’t need to be wealthy. You should be aware of typical veterinary costs. There is also the possibility of unforeseen injuries.
Family Dynamics
Think about how your family will interact with the dog and what role it will play in your life. Is everyone willing to help care for the dog, or will one person be solely responsible? Will you need help managing the dog’s care due to conflicting schedules? Merchant suggests avoiding leaving a dog alone for more than five hours daily. If everyone in your household works outside the home, you might need to hire a dog walker for midday care.
If you have children, are they mature enough to understand the responsibilities of dog ownership? If you are older, consider whether you have the physical ability to walk the dog. Also, think about your ability to navigate your home safely with a dog. Finally, consider caring for its needs as both of you age.
Space, Inside and Out
It’s important to consider the realities of dog ownership. For example, is a large dog like a German Shepherd suitable for a small apartment? Dogs also need outdoor space for exercise and bathroom breaks.These are just some of the factors to weigh before adopting. Avoid making a hasty decision. Carefully assess your lifestyle and living situation first.Roper suggests, “If you’re unsure about adoption or what type of dog fits your family, consider fostering. You can provide a temporary home for a dog in need. You will help save its life, regardless of whether you ultimately adopt it.”
Where to Adopt a Dog
When you’re ready to adopt a dog, you have quite a few choices. To ensure you’re getting your pal from a reputable source, go to an animal shelter or visit an animal rescue. You can also contact a trusted breeder or find an established online source.
Animal Shelter
Many counties and cities have animal shelters. These shelters or humane societies accept stray dogs. They also accept dogs that owners can no longer care for. Often, these dogs are healthy and well-behaved and can become great pets.However, some shelter dogs have behavioral or medical problems. Talk to the shelter staff about any known issues. Keep in mind that some problems not become apparent until after you adopt the dog.
Animal Rescue
Animal rescues come in several forms. For instance, there are all-breed rescues and purebred rescues. Most of them are run by passionate and dedicated individuals. They are committed to finding ideal homes for the animals in their care. In most cases, they will screen and scrutinize prospective homes very carefully before adopting out their dogs.
Trusted Breeder
If you want a purebred rescue dog, consider contacting a reputable breeder. Breeders sometimes have adult dogs, both male and female. These dogs are retired from breeding or showing due to age or disqualifying traits. These dogs may no longer be used for breeding. They are not used for competition either. However, they can still be loving and wonderful companions.
What to Expect During Dog Adoption Process
The dog adoption process varies depending on how you find your dog. However, once you’ve found your source—a shelter, a rescue, a breeder or an online resource—here’s what you can generally expect:
Initial contact:
“Most groups will have information about their adoption process on their website, so start there first,” Roper says. If you visit a shelter in person, you won’t need an appointment. This is true in most cases (see section below regarding COVID-19 restrictions). If you contact a rescue, a breeder or an online source by telephone or email, you must set up a meeting time first. Arrange a time to meet this way. This meeting can occur either at your home or the rescue’s facility or breeder’s home.
“For Greyhound Pets of America GNW, an online application gets the process started,” Merchant says. “After you complete the online app, the placement volunteer calls. They make an appointment to visit with their Greyhound. This visit helps them get a sense of the household. They meet any current pets. They also take a look at the yard and fencing.”
Application:
You will need to complete an application to adopt a dog. Some applications are simple. They ask for your name, address, and reason for adopting. Others require more extensive information about your home, yard, fencing, and other animals. They may ask if you have children, your knowledge of the breed, and more. If you rent your home, be prepared to have your rental agreement or letter from your landlord stating that you can have a pet, says Merchant.
“Be patient if you don’t hear back right away. Many rescues and shelters are receiving lots of adoption interest during COVID-19 so they may not be able to respond immediately,” says Roper.
Meet and greet:
If your adoption is approved, you’ll meet the dog to ensure compatibility, usually in a yard or at an appointment. Introduce current dogs separately and ask about temperament tests. Greyhounds, for example, are tested with small animals due to their prey drive. Introductions happen at adoption; aggression cancels it, but tested Greyhounds are usually fine with other pets.
The fees:
The cost to adopt a dog varies, but you’ll usually pay an adoption fee of at least $50. Younger, popular, or purebred dogs often have higher fees than older dogs. This fee usually covers initial medical care, spaying/neutering, transportation, microchipping, licensing, boarding, and food. Considering everything included, $50 is a great deal!
Welcome home:
Once everything is OK’d, and the fees are paid, your pal is ready. They can go to their new home. Be sure to have an appropriately sized carrier or seatbelt harness ready for safe transport. After you get home with them, if something happens, the adoption might not work out. Most reputable organizations will let you bring the dog back with no questions asked, Merchant says.
Introductions:
When you get home, that’s time to introduce your dog to your home and yard. It will take some time for your new pal to get used to the place. In some cases, this can take weeks to months. Be patient, because this is a learning experience for both them and you. If you already have pets, ensure a smooth transition by following best practices for introductions. Introduce your dog to your new dog carefully. Do the same for your cat.
Veterinarian visits:
Take your new dog to your veterinarian as soon as you can. This will establish them as a new patient. Bring all the paperwork provided by the shelter, rescue group or breeder. Include details on when the dog has had their shots. Make sure to note heartworm treatment and flea and tick preventive. If you don’t have an established veterinarian, ask your trusted dog-parent friends who they use.
Establish team:
Your new dog is getting settled. Now it’s time to think about other members of your dog-care team. Consider your groomer, trainer, doggy daycare, and dog walker. These choices all depend on you and your dog’s needs. Choose them carefully!
How to Choose a Dog
Choosing the right dog for your family can be difficult since you don’t know their personality right away. Before bringing a dog home, consider its gender, age, and health.
Roper advises people to be open-minded when choosing a dog. She says, “Don’t judge a book by its cover! You can’t determine a dog’s personality just by looking at them. Think about what you want to do with your dog. Do you want a running buddy or a couch potato? Do you want a dog to go everywhere with you, or would you rather relax at home?”
She recommends telling a staff member at the shelter what you’re looking for. They know the dogs’ personalities and can help you find a good match. She adds, “Your ‘matchmaker’ may have suggestions that you haven’t thought of but that could be perfect for your family.”
Male or Female?
Intact male and female canines exhibit notable differences in behavior. These distinctions are more readily observed in dogs that have not undergone spaying or neutering. While male dogs are often loyal and devoted companions, they display a greater propensity for territorial marking. Although females may also engage in marking behavior, they experience estrus cycles approximately twice annually, necessitating precautions to prevent unwanted mating.
Elective sterilization, or spaying/neutering, can mitigate many of these gender-specific behaviors; however, the fundamental personality of the dog typically remains unchanged.
Puppy, Adult or Senior?
When choosing a dog, puppies are appealing because they are cute and cuddly. Their adorable eyes can win anyone over.
However, puppies require a lot of effort. Roper advises, “If you want a puppy, be sure you have time for everything it needs. Like children, puppies need training, mental stimulation, exercise, and plenty of attention.” She adds, “Puppies aren’t suitable for every home, but they’re great for families willing to invest time in socializing and training them from a young age.”
Puppies depend on you for everything. You’ll teach them how to behave, where to sleep, and what toys are appropriate. As they mature, you’ll shape their personality and behavior.
Adult dogs can also be wonderful companions. They’ve outgrown the challenging puppy stage, making them more manageable and independent. Depending on their background and training, you might not need to housetrain them or enroll them in basic obedience classes. They are often ready to be a devoted companion.
Roper suggests, “If you want a dog that easily fits into your life, consider an adult or senior dog.” She continues, “Older dogs can be the best companions, offering wonderful friendship to those seeking a calmer experience. Plus, they’re past the teething stage!”
Behavioral Characteristics
Your dog should be happy to see you when you first meet them. They should be willing to approach without fear. The pooch should appear confident and not afraid of sudden sounds or movements.
Another important behavioral consideration to make is how the dog interacts with other animals. To determine if your potential new dog is well-socialized, observe the pet’s reactions. Do this while it is in the presence of other animals during your meet-and-greet. You can also ask the pet’s caregiver if the dog has been temperament tested beforehand for better insight into their behavior.
Physical Characteristics
To check if a dog is healthy, look for these signs:
Eyes: Clear and bright, with no redness, discharge, or injuries. Nose: Cold and wet, with no discharge. Ears: Clean and odor-free, with no signs of mites or infection. Teeth: Clean and bright, with minimal tartar. Coat: Smooth and clean, free of fleas, ticks, and mange. Skin: Healthy, pink or black (depending on breed), with no sores. Body: Overall good physical condition, with healthy legs, paws, and body. No coughing, congestion, or diarrhea. Moves freely and easily. Up-to-date on vaccinations.
Breed Choice
When selecting a dog breed, consider its activity level and inherent predispositions. For example, if the intended environment is a farm requiring livestock management or the owner frequently participates in endurance-based outdoor activities, a herding or working breed may be well-suited, according to Merchant. “Prior to acquisition, it is essential to define the dog’s anticipated role,” he advises. “Will it serve as an exercise companion, provide emotional support, or perform functional farm duties? Clearly articulating these expectations is crucial for a successful pairing.”
Preparing Your Home for a New Dog
Preparing your home and yard for a new dog is similar to doing so for a curious toddler.
“My rule of thumb for bringing home a new dog is to supervise them as much as you can in the beginning so you can prevent behavior problems before they start,” says Roper. “Your dog doesn’t know what you expect from them unless you communicate what you want, so provide lots of opportunities to go potty, and give them appropriate toys and chews so they don’t try to find their own.”
Kitchen
The kitchen contains all sorts of interesting drawers, cabinets and cords, not to mention smells and tastes. Childproof latches, which can be found at your local hardware store, prevent curious dogs from investigating and keep potentially dangerous foods and cleaning supplies out of reach. Tuck power cords out of reach or enclose them in a chew-proof PVC tube to divert your dog’s attention.
Tempting smells entice dogs, too. Be diligent about putting leftovers away rather than leaving them on the counter. And secure the garbage can with a locking lid or store it behind a latched cabinet door to keep the rubbish inside the can—not all over the kitchen floor!
Bathroom
Razors, pills, cotton swabs and soap left within your dog’s reach can be easily ingested—which can mean an emergency visit to your veterinarian. Family members need to be conscientious about cleaning up after themselves in the bathroom.
As with the kitchen, use a trash can with a locking lid, or stash it under the sink. Also install childproof latches on the drawers and cabinets, and be sure to tuck dangling cords away, out of your dog’s reach.
Bedroom
Dogs are scent oriented, so they gravitate toward anything that smells like you. Shoes, slippers and clothing will quickly become toys if you don’t safeguard such items behind a closed closet door. Keep clothing picked up, store shoes out of reach, and put laundry in a tall, closed hamper. Also store jewelry, hair ties, coins and other small ingestible items in containers or drawers, and secure any exposed cords or wires.
Outdoor Hazards
Keep Your Dog Safe at Home Take a good look around your garage and yard—you might be surprised by how many hidden dangers there are for your dog. Store away harmful items like paint, cleaners, and insect sprays. Fence off plants that could be toxic or easily damaged. And make sure tools and gardening gear are kept out of reach.
Open Your Heart to Adoption There are countless dogs looking for loving homes. If you’re thinking about adding a dog to your family, chances are there’s one out there who’s the perfect fit. Visit your local animal shelter, connect with a rescue group, or browse online listings to find adoptable pets.
“As more people learn about the huge number of dogs and cats losing their lives in shelters, they’re choosing to adopt rather than buy,” says Roper. “And often, they find that adopting fills a space in their own lives just as much as they fill one in the pet’s.”
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