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You should adopt a rescue pet to save a life, give an animal a second chance, help combat pet overpopulation, support animal welfare by avoiding cruel puppy mills, find a great companion who offers unconditional love, potentially save money on initial costs like spaying and vaccinations, and experience the unique fulfillment of changing an animal's whole world.Adoption not only enriches your life but also frees up shelter resources for other animals in need, contributing to a more humane animal community.
Here are detailed reasons to adopt:
- Save a Life:
Adopting directly saves the life of the animal you bring home, but also makes space in the shelter for another animal to be rescued. - Fight Pet Overpopulation:
By adopting, you are helping to reduce the number of animals born each year and lessening the strain on shelters, which are often filled beyond capacity. - Discourage Puppy Mills:
Purchasing from pet stores or online retailers often supports cruel puppy mills and backyard breeders, whereas adopting from a shelter is an ethical choice that reduces the demand for these facilities. - Find a Great Companion:
Shelters and rescues have a wide variety of happy, healthy animals—including puppies, adult dogs, and unique mixed breeds—all waiting for a loving home. - Save Money:
Adoption fees are typically lower than buying from a breeder and often include essential vet care like spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping, which can be a significant cost saving. - Receive Support:
Many adoption organizations offer resources such as a free initial vet visit or pet insurance, and they are available to support you and your new pet. - Gain Unconditional Love:
The bond with a rescued pet is often incredibly special, filled with unconditional love and appreciation for the second chance you have given them. - Benefit Your Community:
Adoption fees support the shelter's work, providing resources for other animals in need of care, medical treatment, or rehabilitation.
This is what to look for or request when adopting a rescue:
When adopting a rescue pet, look for an organization with a transparent adoption process, clear medical and behavioral histories for the animal, and reasonable adoption fees. Consider the pet's personality, energy level, and compatibility with your home and family, including existing pets and children.Ensure the pet has a clean bill of health and is up-to-date on vaccinations.
Before You Go
- Assess Your Lifestyle:
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Be honest about the time, energy, and financial commitment you can provide for a pet. - Research the Rescue:
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Look for rescues that offer support, vet care, and a guarantee to take the animal back if it doesn't work out.
When Meeting the Pet
- Observe Their Behavior:
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A noisy shelter can make a shy dog seem even more timid; ask to see them in a play area or on a walk to get a better sense of their personality. - Check Their Health:
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Look for any obvious wounds or signs of illness, and ask about their vaccination and health history. - Ask Questions:
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Inquire about their past experiences, temperament, and known behaviors, such as whether they are good with children, other pets, or strangers.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of Information:
A rescue unwilling to provide a clear medical and behavioral history should be a concern. - Excessive Fees:
While adoption fees are normal, extraordinarily high charges can be a red flag for the organization's legitimacy. - Limited Transparency:
A rescue that is not open about its operations or adoption process is not ideal.
After Adoption
- Schedule a Vet Visit:
Take your new pet to a veterinarian for a comprehensive check-up to establish a baseline and create a long-term health plan. - Update Microchip Info:
Ensure the microchip information is updated with your current contact details. - Be Patient and Prepared:
Rescue pets often need time to adjust, and you may need patience and consistency to help them feel comfortable and build trust.
Overview
When adopting a rescue, ask about the animal's medical history, including vaccinations, spay/neuter status, and chronic conditions, as well as its behavioral history, such as temperament, known issues like separation anxiety, and compatibility with other animals, people, and children. Also, inquire about its history (stray, surrendered?), training, like housebreaking and basic commands, and current needs, such as favorite foods and toys, to ensure a successful placement.
About the Animal's Background & History
- Origin: Where did the animal come from (stray, owner surrender, breeder)? If surrendered, why?
- Past Homes: How many homes has the animal had before?
- Duration: How long has the animal been at the rescue or in its current foster home?
- Foster Insights: If it's a foster dog, talk to the foster to get an in-depth understanding of the animal's personality and behavior.
About Medical History
- Veterinary Care:
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Has the animal received recent vet care, including vaccines, deworming, flea/tick prevention, and spay/neuter surgery? - Known Health Issues:
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Are there any pre-existing conditions, allergies (food or environmental), or chronic illnesses (like joint issues) that require ongoing management? - Breed-Specific Health:
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Has the animal been screened for any common health problems associated with its breed mix, such as hip dysplasia? - Vet Records:
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Request copies of all vet records to understand the animal's health status.
About Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament: What is the animal's general personality, energy level, and temperament? How does it respond to new people or loud noises?
- Other Animals: Does the animal get along well with other dogs, cats, or other pets?
- Children: Has it been around children, and how did it behave?
- Separation Anxiety: Does the animal have any signs of separation anxiety?
- Behavioral Evaluations: Ask to see behavioral evaluation sheets and ask staff about their observations.
About Training & Needs
- Potty Training: Is the animal housebroken, and how reliable is its house training?
- Basic Commands: Does it know any basic commands, and can the staff demonstrate them?
- Grooming: How does it handle grooming and basic veterinary care?
- Favorite Things: What are its favorite foods, treats, and toys?
About the Rescue & Adoption Process
- Adoption Fee: What is the total cost of the adoption?
- Included Services: What services are included in the fee (e.g., vaccinations, microchip, spay/neuter)?
- Post-Adoption Support: Does the rescue offer any support, a health guarantee, or resources if issues arise after adoption.
1. You can never ask too many questions.
2. Spend a little time with the pet you are thinking of adopting. Be sure it is a good fit.
3. Be sure that the pet is friendly towards other dogs, cats, children, etc.
4. Work things around the pets schedule. Do not force petting and loving on them. Let it happen when they are ready.
5. Always remember that these pets have been let go, abandoned, or taken away for a reason. Don’t let it happen if you take them too soon.