Organizing a successful dog adoption
Organizing a successful dog adoption
You’re ready to take on a new responsibility: becoming a dog companion. You’ve had some furry friends before, but this one feels special. The fact that you’re giving a dog a new lease on life out of the shelter warms your heart. In this blog post we will go over organizing a successful dog adoption so when the time comes to bring your new family member home, you’re ready.
Quite surprisingly, the process is a lot easier than most people think. There are some basic guidelines to follow and that’s it. Here are the steps:
Step 1 – Choose a dog to adopt.
You can do this by visiting an animal shelter; if not, you’ll find many websites that list adoptable dogs. Once you find the one you think would be a perfect match for your home, take some time to get to know the pup. One of the most fulfilling parts of the whole experience is this “getting-to-know” stage, where you ask yourself things like: “Can I see myself taking this dog for walks every day?” and “Does the dog have an affable personality?”
Step 2 – Create a pet-friendly environment at home.
Even if you’re not adopting a dog just yet, it’s important to prepare your home now. This means setting up a designated area for the dog to sleep, eat and play in. If there are any areas of the house that you don’t want the pup getting into (like the kitchen), put up barriers like baby gates.
Also, some renters aren’t allowed to have pets and most landlords charge extra for tenants who have furry friends through pet deposits. Therefore, it’s crucial that you meet with your landlord before adopting a dog. If there are any issues on either side, it’s best to find this out before you bring your new friend home.
Step 3 – Fill out the application form.
The dog shelter or rescue organization will have an application form to fill out. This document is essentially your contract with the shelter, stating that you’ll take care of the dog and provide them with a good home. Be sure to answer all the questions honestly; if you’re not approved, it may be because your answers indicated that you’re not ready for a pet or they don’t think you’re the right fit. Don’t get discouraged, if you are fully prepared and have answered all questions truthfully, you will get approved sooner or later.
Step 4 – Ready yourself for the interview.
It’s standard procedure for the shelter to interview you to ensure you’re a good fit for the dog. Be prepared to answer questions about your lifestyle and why you want to adopt a specific dog. If you’ve been to the shelter before, they may also ask why you previously didn’t adopt from there.
The key here is full disclosure and transparency. Let the shelter know if you have other pets, whether you have a fenced-in yard, if you have children and how much time you’re willing to spend with the dog each day. They want to make sure that the dog is going to a good home – and so should you!
Step 5 – The shelter evaluates your situation if you have an existing dog or other pets at home.
If you have an existing pet at home, the shelter will need to perform a home visit to ensure the animals get along. This is also when they’ll verify that your residence has enough space for another pet and that you have a proper containment system in place, i.e., fence and kennel.
Your pets must be introduced to each other and spend time together in a supervised situation before the adoption is finalized. The shelter will give you the go-ahead to bring your new canine friend home if all goes well.
Step 6 – Pay the adoption fee.
Most animal shelters and rescue organizations require an adoption fee, typically ranging from $50 to $300. This fee goes towards taking care of the dog while it’s in the shelter’s care and providing routine veterinary care.
Quite frankly, it’s a small price to pay for the companionship of a lifetime, and it also creates the impression that you’re serious about adopting the dog. And compared to purchasing a puppy from a breeder, an adoption fee is a great bang for your buck.
Step 7 – Your new dog will be spayed or neutered before going home.
This is a requirement in most places and it’s for the dog’s own good. Neutering prevents unwanted pregnancies and helps to control the spread of disease. It also reduces aggressive behaviour. Most animal shelters will perform the surgery well before you take your pet home.
There’s been a steady increase in the number of household pets in North America, which is why veterinarians and animal welfare groups advocate for spaying and neutering. It’s a small price to pay for the benefit of keeping pets out of shelters and reducing the pet overpopulation problem.
Step 8 – Take your dog home.
These are the steps to organizing a successful dog adoption! Your new dog will be ready to go home with you once they’re spayed or neutered. When you paid the adoption fee, you should have received all the necessary paperwork. This veterinarian history and medical records.
Now it’s time to start your new life together! Take your dog for walks, introduce them to your friends and family, and give them lots of love. They’ll return the favour tenfold.
