Adopting a Shelter Dog

Thank you for your interest in adopting a homeless pet. Currently, there are millions of animals residing in animal shelters across the U.S. waiting for a home or the unfortunate event of being euthanized. Six to eight million of these animals will be euthanized each year. That means every nine seconds an animal is euthanized in a shelter. Unfortunately, only 20% of animals in homes who have become pets actually came from an animal shelter. There are many reasons animals end up in shelters, most are there because their former owners thought that they were disposable products and did not want to take responsibility for them. Maybe their owners were moving, getting divorced, having children, the pet had behavioral problems, or simply did not want to "deal" with having a pet anymore. They thought getting rid of these animals would be an easy fix for their lives. Yes, some of these people cried when surrendering their pets, but there were alternatives available to them; instead they took the easy way out. Animals are not disposable, if your children seem to be burdening your life you wouldn't drop them off at a shelter would you? Some animals did have loving owners in their previous lives that have passed away or became too ill to care for them. Those are the situations that pull at your heart strings.

I would like to focus on dog adoption because this is an area of expertise for me and seems to be one of the most complicated. When you decide that you are ready for a dog you must remember that driving down to the animal shelter and just picking one out is not the best option. There must be an evaluation of not only the potential pet, but of your home, family, and lifestyle. What size home and back yard do you have, how much time will be spent caring for the dog, do your children have experience around dogs, is your family active, and most importantly are you ready to accept a new member of your family in for the next twenty plus years? Pets are a life long commitment and not a temporary "toy" for your children.

After evaluating these things and you have found that you are at the right point in your life to adopt a dog it is then time to decide on the type of dog would be right for you. People often make the mistake of looking only for a certain breed of dog when in fact they may find that other breeds or mixed breeds are equally suitable for them. While dog breeds can give you a general idea of a dog's personality, not all dogs in that breed will follow those guidelines. You must look at each dog as an individual, just as we should humans. Specifics that you can search for in a dog may be their size, energy level, and temperament all the other characteristics will fall into place when you meet the dogs.

When you visit the animal shelter for the first time be prepared to walk out broken hearted. There are many dogs that may seem great, but don't adopt a dog just because you feel sorry for them. This is why I recommend that if you have children do not take them to the shelter with you until you have a few dogs in mind that you would like them to meet. Children who love animals would be willing to take any one of these dogs home even if they are not right for them. Make sure you ask animal shelter employees about the background of the dogs. These are the people who spend the most time with these dogs and know their true personalities. Don't be shy to ask about the dog's previous owners, and why they brought their pet to the shelter. If you have other pets at home ask the staff if they know how the dog reacts to the other pets. Take the dog around other cats at the shelter if you have a cat at home and study their reaction; remember that the dog may be under stress and this may not be the same reaction that they would have in your home.

Visit numerous shelters and animal control facilities as well as on-line adoption sites such as PetFinder.com. After you have narrowed down your search then it is time to take the family to meet the selected few. Shelters often have play rooms within the facility where you and your family can spend time with each dog. Make sure the dog is attentive to you, friendly towards your children, and their overall demeanor is what you and your family is looking for. Also, pay attention to the dog's health. Most shelters today spay and neuter dogs before they leave the shelter as well as check them for heart worm and get them up to date on their shots. If you are adopting from a shelter that does not have these practices there is a good chance that the dog will require you to invest into their health. If you can afford to spay or neuter the pet as well as any necessary medical bills than this may not be an issue for you; however if you are not able to pay these bills unfortunately looking elsewhere may be the best option.

Sometimes when you meet a dog you just know that they are the long lost family member that has been waiting for you. I am a believer in love at first sight, and with my own dog I knew right away that she belonged in our family. Don't be too hasty and rule out the other dogs, but I do recommend following your heart when you are deciding between a couple of dogs.

When you choose the dog that you want to adopt make them a sincere promise that they will forever remain in your family. If you have any doubt in your mind that you will not keep your word, do not adopt the dog.

After you have arrived at home with your new pet give them plenty of time to adjust. This is an exciting time, especially for your children, but this may be a scary moment for the dog. Let them get acquainted with the new sights, sounds, and smells of their new home before showering them with love. Crate training dogs of any age is a great way to give them the comfort and alone time they will need until you know they are capable of roaming the house on their own at night or while you are away. Accidents happen, and even if the staff at the shelter told you the dog is potty trained it is safe to assume their will be a few mishaps. Don't get mad, but correct the dog and let them have plenty of time outside.

So what do you do if you soon realize the dog's personality at the shelter is much different than at your home? Give them time! Don't fall short of your promise and give them a chance. Contact animal shelters and ask if they recommend any trainers in your area. Once you understand the root of the bad behavior you will soon learn how it can be corrected.

Good luck to you in your search for a pet, and thank you again for making the decision to adopt a pet in need.

Please take a look at these books before adopting:

*One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter by Marilee Geyer
*The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell
*Successful Dog Adoption by Sue Sternberg