How To Adopt A Dog From A Local Shelter Or Rescue

This is the third post in my journey about how to adopt a dog from a local shelter or rescue organization. The two previous posts were All Dogs Must Be Irish and How To Make An Informed Decision When Choosing A Dog.

One large and one small dog pressed close together in a shelter situation. Their eyes say it all.

Whenever I walk through a shelter, I wonder what misfortune happened to each of the dogs and cats that are there. I must get past the emotions of feeling sorry for them to make the best decision for my family and the dog’s future. It is best to approach entering an animal shelter being calm and guided by an open heart and mind seeking as much information as possible about any dog you are considering adopting.

Essential Steps To Take:

Locate and visit the local shelter, rescue organization, or animal humane center in or near where you live.
Prepare your questions for the animal shelter or rescue.
Learn about Dog Adoption Requirements specific to that shelter or rescue.
Ask about the Application Process and what information you must provide.
Meet different kinds of dogs and resist the temptation to fall in love with the first or few you see.
Carefully read all posted information on the kennel door about the dog and take notes.
Understand the stress the dogs are in by being in a shelter. Please don’t judge a dog by its bark. Some dogs might be aggressively barking in the shelter and then calm when they leave it. Other dogs might seem calm in the shelter and are the barkers when they get out. After the honeymoon period, the dog will begin to show more of its behavior patterns.
Network with the shelter or rescue volunteers and staff about the temperament and size of the dog you seek and ask if they can show you a dog they think might be a good match.
Most shelters have an outdoor bonding area where you can spend time getting to know one another.
Listen to your gut instincts if you feel a special connection towards a dog or just get a general uncomfortable feeling. Notice if the dog is curious about you and drawn to you.
Consider the pros and cons of adoption through a shelter, rescue organization, animal humane center, or Petfinder, and decide the best choice for your daily life and circumstances. There can be some important differences with each of the options.
Prepare a pet-safe home for your new best friend before finalizing the adoption.

Beautiful dog with a hopeful look on its face

How To Find The Local Shelter

Do an internet search-animal shelters, rescue organizations, or animal humane centers in or near (your town).
Check out and join petfinder.com powered by Purina, another great source when looking for a pet needing a forever home. You can customize your search by location and other filters like breed, size, sex, temperament, days in a shelter, etc.

Prepare Your Questions:

What is known about why the dog ended up in the shelter or rescue?
Do you know if the dog has had any training or understands basic commands?
How would you describe the dog’s temperament?
What kind of environment is the dog a match with?
What will be my total costs in order to adopt the dog and what services does that include? For example, does the adoption fee include things like vaccinations or spay or neuter? Don’t make assumptions.
Does the dog have any medical issues to consider? Would a pet insurance company consider that condition pre-existing?
Does the shelter or rescue have a return policy and under what circumstances?
What support will be given after the adoption is completed? Just like humans, dogs may need lots of additional time to adjust to an entirely new environment and different pack members. Be patient, understanding, and the calm leader the dog will grow to trust.
It is best to write down your questions and record the answers for every dog you consider.

Dog Adoption Requirements:

Be prepared for the shelter or rescue organization to ask you personal questions so it can determine if you will have the financial means and time to be able to care for the dog you want to adopt. For example, you might be asked to provide proof of home ownership, possibly proof of income, a letter from your vet, or how many hours you work per week.
The most common requirements are that you must be at least 18 and sometimes 21 years of age; you must own your house or have written permission from a landlord; confirm the adoption is not going to be a gift to someone else; a reference letter from a vet stating you will give your new dog the proper care it needs.
Some will require a background check to ensure you have never been convicted of child or domestic abuse or cruelty under the law.
Some will ask if you have ever surrendered a pet before and under what circumstances.
Some ask about the number of dogs already in the home before approving an adoption.

A kitten on its hind legs giving a black and white taller dog a hug

Application Process:

I wrote about Mickie in Mini-Pin Rescue. When I adopted her as a puppy through a rescue organization on Petfinder, I had to agree to everything below to adopt her:

I am adopting a dog and from this time on will take full responsibility for her actions (chewing, housebreaking, etc.) as well as any damages or injuries (biting, scratching, etc.) done by her from the time of the adoption.
I will provide obedience training if necessary. I will have her licensed in the jurisdiction of my residence and will provide her with an ID tag, which will be worn at all times.
I will obtain veterinary care at once if she becomes sick or injured, and will keep current on all vaccinations as recommended by the vet. I will provide regular check-ups for the dog. Unless otherwise specified, the dog I am adopting has had a general vet check and appears to be healthy. I understand the rescue is NOT responsible for any vet care or medical expenses I incur on my own, at the time of the adoption or in the future.
I will keep this dog as my household pet and companion. I will ensure she lives and sleeps inside of my home. I will ensure that when outside, the dog is supervised in a secure fenced area with adequate shelter from the elements.
I will keep this dog in my personal possession, provide sufficient food, water, shelter, exercise, grooming, and humane treatment at all times. The rescue can take the dog back if found to be in an abusive environment (teasing, hitting, etc.) or exposed to threatening elements (bad weather, aggressive dogs, moving cars, etc.)
I will not relinquish ownership, abandon, or dispose of this dog without prior notice to the rescue. I will contact the rescue if unable to keep the dog. Adoption fee is non-refundable.
I will make sure all children have supervision while with the dog and fully understand that NO CHILD should be left alone with the dog. I am aware that all dogs have a propensity to bite and will take full responsibility for such options, releasing the rescue of liability associated with personal injury or property damage. MICKIE COULD NOT BE ADOPTED BY ANY FAMILY WITH SMALL CHILDREN.
I am ready to take full responsibility of adopting a rescue pet. I realize the dog will need guidance and extreme patience while adjusting to their new home. If adopting a puppy, I am ready to make what could be a 15-year commitment to the care of the dog. MICKIE LIVED FOR 15 AND ONE-HALF YEARS. She did have two large lacerations on her back that I discovered as soon as I took her to a different vet not associated with the rescue organization. Mickie definitely had been abused before I adopted her although that was not disclosed to me. The rescue organization said she needed a new home because the previous owners’ landlord had recently implemented a no pet policy. It is quite possible that the owners who surrendered her were not honest about the real reasons.
Puppies have had one vaccination at the time of adoption, however, this does NOT guarantee against disease. Puppies should be kept away from other dogs, dog parks, pet stores, etc. until ALL vaccines are complete. Puppies generally need 4 vaccinations, spaced 2-4 weeks apart.

At the appropriate stage of the adoption process, it is always important to involve your children in meeting all prospective new family members.

Also, be mindful of all the pets in your household before making any final decisions. How will everyone get along?

Each shelter or rescue organization will have its own adoption policies and paperwork requirements, so be sure to ask about them in detail. They will also have their own fees, often posted on their websites.

If you haven’t read my previous posts about dog adoption, please click the underlined links that appear in this post for additional information and more questions to ask during the adoption journey.

Tough Cookie Tip: It is important to realize you are making a lifetime commitment to an animal that has been abandoned, abused, injured, surrendered, or any combination of misfortune. So please be sure you are able to take on that high level of responsibility to give them a loving home and fun future. Good luck if you are also searching for a lifetime companion!

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