| Once you have decided that you are willing to accept | | | | requirements. Note which dogs meet your |
| the responsibilities of pet ownership, one of the best | | | | expectations. Stand near the dogs enclosure without |
| places to adopt a dog from is your animal shelter. | | | | initiating any interaction. Does the dog come close to |
| Shelters have dogs of all sizes, ages, purebred and | | | | you, does it show a desire to interact with you? |
| mixed bred. You can find the perfect canine | | | | After your initial walk through, note the name of |
| companion at an animal shelter. There are different | | | | each dog you are interested in and then talk to staff |
| types of shelters, privately funded and municipal | | | | about your selections. Ask about the dogs history, |
| shelters. Both have an excellent selection of dogs. | | | | behavior with other dogs,and behavior with staff. If |
| Usually the privately funded shelters accept dogs | | | | this particular shelter is large enough, it will have a |
| from owners who for various reasons can no longer | | | | veterinarian on staff or have an arrangement for vet |
| provide for a dog. Municipal shelters usually have both | | | | visit with a nearby veterinarian. Ask the staff about |
| strays and surrender dogs that are brought to them. | | | | the health of the dogs you are interested in. If it has |
| When a dog arrives at an animal shelter, the staff will | | | | been to the vet, they will have its record. If their |
| do an assessment before placing the dog up for | | | | policy is to wait for an adoption application first |
| adoption. Shelter staff are an essential source of | | | | before a veterinarian visit, the staff, who work daily |
| knowledge about the dogs that are available. Shelter | | | | with dogs, will have a good sense of a dogs overall |
| staff interact with the dogs daily. They feed, | | | | health. |
| exercise and play with the dogs on a regular basis. | | | | Once you have interviewed staff and you decide |
| They also have access to any information from | | | | which dog you are interested in, ask if you can take |
| previous owners if the dog was brought in as a | | | | the dog for a walk. Allow time for the dog to settle |
| surrender. Each dog has a chart where staff will note | | | | down and become use to you. During the walk, see |
| the dogs behavior during interactions with the animal. | | | | how it interacts with you and note if the dog shows |
| The staff and volunteers will have a good idea of | | | | a desire to please you. If you find a dog that you |
| each dogs behavior, habits, needs and adopt-ability. | | | | would consider adopting, check the shelters policy |
| Before going to the animal shelter to choose a dog, | | | | and see if you can put the dog on hold. Now use the |
| you should assess your ability to provide for the | | | | hold time to visit other shelters to continue your |
| animal and have a good idea of what you are looking | | | | search. Take your time, find the dog that fits your |
| for. You should have considered the dog's size in | | | | requirements, wants to please you and will become |
| relation to your home and yard. You will know how | | | | that life long companion you are searching for. |
| much time you can commit each day for exercise, | | | | Make the selection, start the adoption procedure and |
| play and grooming. This will help you to determine | | | | bring your dog home. If you have done your |
| how active of a dog you should adopt. It is the | | | | homework you will have a travel crate ready, your |
| process before the adoption decision that is so crucial | | | | home dog proofed and the dogs first vet visit |
| to success. | | | | scheduled. As you can see, the overall process is |
| Knowing what type of dog you are looking for, visit | | | | involved. The free audio "Shelter Dog Adoptions |
| several shelters before making a final decision. Quietly | | | | Considerations and Advantages" is your gift. Learn |
| walk through the viewing area and look for the dogs | | | | how to ask the important questions. |
| that meet your size, grooming, exercise and activity | | | | |