A Little Talk About Dog Adoption!

It’s National Rescue Dog Day!

A day to remind people that there are wonderful dogs available for adoption in shelters and rescues across the country. If you are thinking of adding a new four legged furry family member to your home and would like to adopt, here are some things to keep in mind before you do!

DON’T RUSH IT

Finding the right dog may take time, don’t expect to find the perfect match right away. Some people get lucky and find their dog at the first organization they visit, but it doesn’t always happen that simply, don’t get discouraged there are a lot of different shelters and rescues organizations that you take your time visiting. It is not only normal but encouraged to take your time to explore pets available for adoption before finalizing your choice.

GET TO KNOW THE RESCUE ORGANIZATION

Take your time to learn about the organization you are interested in adopting from. Explore their website or call and talk to a staff member to learn more about them. Certain organizations require you to fill out a form before meeting any potential matches and others may have specific dates where you can go to an adoption event and meet many pups at once! It will also be important for you to know their procedures for adopting so you can be prepared to follow their policies, each organization is different.

Most organizations will have you fill out an application and require a conversation to ensure that you are the best fit for the pet before adopting.
Since the pandemic some organizations might not allow you to meet the pet, instead they will provide you with information and you’ll make your decision from there. This, although understandable, does not allow you to see the pet’s personality before you adopt, which can be a bit of a risk.
Some organizations will ask for everyone in the household to meet with the pet prior to finalizing an adoption. This can include doing a dog to dog introduction if you already have a dog in the home. If you have a cat or other small animals they may need to test to observe the dog around other pets to ensure the adoption will be successful.
Certain organizations may even require an in-home inspection to make sure your house is ready for a canine companion and there are no concerns to fix prior to bringing the dog home.
Familiarize yourself with their adoption fees, as many rescue organizations use these fees to continue rescuing, medicating and placing these dogs into new homes. With this information find out what the adoption fee includes. Many organizations will provide current vaccinations, medical records, spay/ neuter surgeries, and a microchip.
It is also important to remember that most rescues do not house dogs on a “first come first serve” basis, this means that a rescue dog at any time may have numerous potential matches – do not get discouraged if the first dog you fall for ends up being homed with someone else, there are plenty of other matches out there!

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IN YOUR MATCH

As a household, write down what you would like to have in a dog, know your goals and what traits are important to you for your canine companion to have. Keep in mind it may take time and training to reach those goals, but having an idea to start can help your decision. It will also help communicate to the organization’s staff what you are looking for so they are better able to assist in creating the right match. You might be asking yourself what those questions might look like so to help we started a list of considerations:

GROOMING – Consider what you are willing and able to do in the grooming department, some dogs need far more coat maintenance than others. Can you afford regular grooming visits? Are you prepared for regular daily brushing? How much time are you willing to dedicate to coat care and upkeep? Are you looking for a dog who is hypoallergenic? Are you simply prepared to live a life where you will always have dog hair on your pants, floor and couches?
ACTIVITY LEVEL – Think about how much time you have to contribute to their physical exercise. Are you an active person? Consider how long and how often you are willing to take your dog outside and what sort of intensity you are willing to bring to these adventures. Ask yourself: “what are some activities you enjoy doing” and do you see yourself adding a dog into that lifestyle and those activities. Many people often associate activity level with breed, which, though very important to keep in mind, is not always the best indicator. Make sure to ask the staff what they notice about the dog’s individual activity level. Sometimes you can end up with a big dog who is a couch potato and other times will find a small dog who needs regular hikes and runs to burn through the energy bank. Regardless of your personal activity level, remember that regular walks and exercise are important for a healthy and happy dog!
SIZE – We’re going to say it, size can certainly matter! It is important to keep the size of the dog in mind especially if you live in an apartment or are renting your home as certain landlords may have rules regarding weight, or even breed, restrictions that would prevent you from bringing certain potential matches home. It’s also important to remember that even though small dogs are not necessarily easier to train they are often easier to handle. Think about your ability to pick up and handle the dog if needed to do so, don’t forget to keep in mind your comfort levels while handling differently sized pups.
TRAINING – As you meet prospective dogs and puppies, consider what training will be needed. A young puppy will need to attend a puppy socializing class. An older rescue might start to show signs of needing training and might benefit from some one on one private sessions to get you on the right path. Put thought into the investment of time and money that might be needed for your new dog. Be sure everyone in the household can be consistent and talk about training as a family so that the new dog doesn’t have mixed messages. Remember to always set you new dog up for success!
LIFESTYLE – This one might be the most important that we put on our list of considerations. The first thing you should be making sure of before adopting a new pet is that your current lifestyle does not conflict with pet ownership. What amount of time do you have to dedicate to your new pet and will they blend nicely with your lifestyle? Do you work from home, if you don’t will someone be able to check on your pup during the day? Do you have a long commute to work? Will you need a dog walker during the day or do you want to take your dog to a structured daycare where training is the key component? (hint hint- if so don’t forget to talk to us) Do you live alone or have a partner, are there kids or other relatives who are in the home? How much of the dog care will be left up to them? Are you ready for more responsibility, work and training? Are you ready for the added financial burden? This is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. Take some time to consider what dog ownership would do to your life, the changes it would cause, and ensure that this choice is something you feel confident in. Your new pooch will be counting on you! Also consider what dog ownership would do for your life, the memories, the relationship, the learning experience, and the love that you will have is going to be life changing.