How to Adopt a Pet From a Shelter
There are many factors to consider before adopting a new pet. The experience can also vary depending on whether you visit an open access animal shelter, humane society or foster group. Some important aspects to think about are the age of your family members, the age of the pet and the amount of time and money that can be devoted to the pet.
The best way to begin looking for a pet to adopt is to search pet finding sites such as Petfinder, Adopt a Pet or Animal Shelter.org. All of these sites offer ways to either search for individual pets or choose shelters close to your location. Visiting a local shelter is a good way to find an adoptable pet. The experience of visiting a shelter can vary depending on what type of shelter it is. Open access shelters take in any stray animal and are usually run by the city or county government. Humane societies offer open or limited access depending on the individual shelter. Foster groups are run by groups of volunteers that take animals into their homes until they can be adopted. Finding a good shelter makes it more likely that you will be able to find a good pet. Look for indicators like mandatory sterilization, a well maintained facility, distribution of educational materials and a staff that strive to provide excellent care and comfort to all animals.
Adopting a pet should always be a well researched decision.
* Make sure that you and your family are willing to devote 10-20 (or more) years to a new family friend.
* One adult should be designated the primary caretaker so that care for the pet does not get lost in the rest of the day to day chores.
* When looking for a new pet, consider the makeup of your household. For instance, it may be tempting to adopt a kitten or puppy, but puppies and kittens have small, sharp teeth and nails that may inadvertently injure small children. * If you are part of a busy household with little free time it will be difficult to find time to train a new pet and an adult animal would be a better option.
* With dogs, dog breed is an important consideration. Toy breeds are delicate, quicker to bite than larger animals and will not tolerate the enthusiasm of small children. Conversely, large adolescent animals are not a good choice for households that include elderly individuals.
The price to adopt a pet can range from “free to good home” to several thousand dollar purebreds. However, you do not always get what you pay for. Purebreds often have hidden genetic defects that may not appear until later in life. For example, Golden Retrievers have high cancer rates, German Shepherds suffer from hip dysplasia and Dachshunds may develop painful and/or paralyzing spinal disc disorders. Many households spend all their allotted funds on purchasing a pet and end up with no money left for veterinary care, obedience training and grooming. Keep the possibility of an emergency vet visit or unforeseen essentials in mind!