Getting a Dog: Rescuing a Good Dog

Many wonderful animals end up in rescue organizations. Adopting a dog from one of these organizations is a great way to find the perfect dog for your family. These dogs are often placed in rescue groups to improve their chances of being adopted, rather than at a shelter, or surrendered by the owner so that their dog will have another opportunity to find a home. Depending on the rescue group, you may find a variety of breeds or they may only accept a specific breed and dogs mixed with that breed.

An advantage to adopting from a rescue organization is that most the dogs are cared for by a foster home. The foster home works with the dogs to learn his personality, train him in appropriate behaviors, and correct troublesome behaviors the dog might have come with. You will learn a great deal about the dog from the foster home before you take him home as opposed to a shelter with too many dogs to give personal attention to.

Research the type of dog to know what kind of dog you would like to adopt. Prospective dog owners should know their home situation before deciding on a breed of dog, or even to get a dog. You should have in mind the age, breed, size, energy level, and even coat type before searching for a dog to adopt. After you think you've found a couple breeds that will meet the needs of your family, research the breed more in depth. You need to think about how much care, exercise, possible expenses, and attention this kind of dog will need. Some breeds need a lot of running space; others are more content to lie at your feet.

Find out about the rescue groups in your area. You can do this by using the internet or contacting your local animal shelter. If you haven't decided on a breed yet, you can call all-breed rescues to find out what kind of dogs they currently have. You may want to consider how far you'll travel to find a certain dog, especially if it's of a rare breed and there are no rescue groups in your local area.

Once you've found a rescue group and are interested in a particular dog, find out more about it. The foster home will be able to tell you of any requirements the dog has for adoption such as home suitability (not sociable with other dogs or needs a home with older children). You may also be able to find out if the dog has any medical history and special needs issues. Make arrangements to visit the dog alone (don't bring children or other pets along for the first meeting) if you are still interested. After determining the dog is a good fit for your home you can bring children and your other dogs along so they can meet on neutral ground. Watch the dog closely to see how it will interact with your children and other dogs, paying attention to any aggressive behaviors. You dogs may not be best buds from the first meeting and may try to establish a pecking order, but they should not fight.

If the meetings with dog have gone well and you've made the decision to adopt the dog, you'll have to follow the rescue organization's adoption procedures. This will likely include an application, a visit to your home to ensure it is a good place for the dog, and fees that cover the cost of spaying or neutering.

It will take some time for your new pet to adjust to his new home and for you to adjust to him. Many rescue organizations offer to take the dog back if problems arise or you decide that he's not a good fit for the home. However, it's recommended that you wait at least a couple weeks for everyone to fully adjust to each other before deciding to give the dog back.