| Adopting a fully grown shelter dog is usually not | | | | pets should be on leashes so they can be controlled |
| considered when a family decides to get a new pet. | | | | easily if there's a problem. |
| It may actually be the best choice for your family. | | | | (3) - Speak to anyone that has had contact with the |
| A fully grown shelter dog may already be house | | | | dog. You can learn a lot from the staff members |
| trained, trained in basic obedience and be past the | | | | that feed and interact with the dog on a daily basis. |
| teething stage. That means no messes in the house, | | | | After all, they're the people that probably know the |
| no damaged furniture and a dog that listens to it's | | | | dog best. |
| owner. That sounds like a dream dog to me. You'll | | | | A good shelter will appreciate someone that makes a |
| also know what you're getting in your new dog | | | | careful decision before adopting. The shelter staff |
| regarding it's size, color, temperament and personality. | | | | wants the dog to find a new home. They certainly |
| There are fewer surprises and you'll have the | | | | don't want to see a dog returned. It's depressing for |
| advantage of knowing what you're getting before | | | | the shelter staff to see a dog return after being |
| you get it. | | | | adopted. |
| If you're looking for a loving family pet a shelter dog | | | | (4) - When you first visit your local shelter get as |
| just may be the answer. If your looking for a show | | | | much information as you can on a dog you may be |
| dog it's probably not. I say probably because I've | | | | interested in adopting. Don't rush, take your time. |
| seen pure bred animals, with papers, in the shelter I | | | | Take a few days if you have to. It's an important |
| worked in. It was rare but it did happen. Sometimes | | | | decision and shouldn't be taken lightly. Use your best |
| the dog out-grew it's family and sometimes it was | | | | judgement when making your decision, not just your |
| disobedient or chewed up something in the house. | | | | emotions. |
| Occasionally the owner just wasn't responsible | | | | (5) - Ask about the dog's history, medical records |
| enough to own a pet and it was just too much work. | | | | and temperament. The more you know about the |
| There were many reasons why they were brought | | | | dog the more informed your final decision will be. Find |
| to the shelter by their owners. | | | | out as much as you can about the dog's shelter |
| When shopping at the local grocery store, most | | | | history. Ask if he or she has been neutered or |
| people are picky about what they choose. There are | | | | spayed. You'll also want to know what shots and flea |
| many things they take into consideration before | | | | and tick treatments the dog was given. Ask if the |
| making decisions. They check the dates on | | | | dog has been adopted and then returned to the |
| perishables, squeeze the grapefruit and look for | | | | shelter. If the dog has been returned find out why. |
| bruising. They make decisions based on color, | | | | The staff will almost always know why a dog was |
| quantity, packaging, size, fat content, calories and | | | | returned. |
| price. That works well for shoppers who want what's | | | | (6) - Ask about the dog's appetite and either check |
| best for their families but for some strange reason | | | | or ask if the dog's stool looks normal. This can be |
| some of the same people don't make the same kind | | | | valuable information especially if the dog has no |
| of careful decisions when it comes to choosing a | | | | medical records. There's a lot you can do to make a |
| new family pet. A pet that may be around for ten or | | | | good, informed decision when adopting from a |
| fifteen years. This is where the "cute" factor can | | | | rescue shelter. |
| really work against a pet and the family as well. The | | | | (7) - If the dog is a mixed breed ask the shelter |
| cutest dog in the bunch gets adopted and that | | | | staff what mix the dog is. This will give you a |
| usually means a puppy. | | | | reasonably good idea how large the dog will get if it's |
| When you adopt a puppy, especially a mixed breed, | | | | not already fully grown. The shelter staff may know |
| you may be in for an unwanted surprise or two. | | | | from the previous owners or they may at least have |
| When the dog becomes mature it may be too large | | | | an idea just by looking at the dog. Either way you'll |
| or not look the way you thought it would. It's really a | | | | get some facts or at the very least, an educated |
| crap shoot. You can guess how big the dog will get | | | | guess. |
| but it's still just a guess unless you know the mix. | | | | (8) - Ask the shelter staff to allow you to meet the |
| Now mind you, I'm not speaking out against adopting | | | | dog out of it's run or cage and get to know the dog |
| puppies, it's a fine idea, what I'm saying is that there | | | | a bit. It's very important and you can learn a lot in a |
| are benefits to adopting an older dog too. Besides | | | | short amount of time. If you feel comfortable with |
| the reasons mentioned above, you're also giving an | | | | the dog it's also a very good idea to take it for a |
| older dog a second chance at a happy life. He | | | | walk if the shelter will allow it. Just remember, any |
| probably deserves that chance. | | | | dog can be trained. If the dog isn't perfect, that's ok. |
| A pet has to become part of your family, a part of | | | | You'll work together to improve. |
| your pack. He or she has to fit in well and be of the | | | | Those 8 steps are good to keep in mind when |
| proper temperament and size for your family. Not | | | | adopting a dog from a shelter. Just remember, even |
| taking those factors into account can have disastrous | | | | an older dog can be trained with a little patience, love |
| repercussions for both the pet and the family. I've | | | | and understanding. |
| seen it happen in failed adoptions and when families | | | | I'm sure you've heard the old saying "You can't teach |
| turned their pet over to the shelter. A family gets a | | | | old dogs new tricks". I've heard that saying many |
| puppy, the puppy is small, cute and manageable and | | | | times and I couldn't disagree more. As an animal |
| then it quickly grows to maturity and is larger or | | | | control officer I was often in charge of adoptions |
| more energetic than expected. | | | | and taking care of the dogs and cats when I wasn't |
| It wasn't long after becoming an Animal Control | | | | on patrol or on an abuse investigation. I spent a lot |
| Officer that I began to believe that it wasn't a pet | | | | of that time training some of the older dogs in the |
| problem at all, it was a pet owner problem. After all, | | | | basics to give them a better chance at being |
| you can't blame it on the dog. The dog just wanted | | | | adopted. They learned quickly and some dogs already |
| a home, a family to be a part of, in essence, a new | | | | knew the basic commands. Dogs want to please, it's |
| pack. Choosing a pet carefully is very important for | | | | in their nature and with some patience you can teach |
| your family and the pet. Here are a few tips on what | | | | an old dog new tricks! |
| to do if you're interested in adopting a shelter dog. | | | | Shelter dogs don't get a lot of one-on-one attention |
| (1) - Speak with your family and make sure they | | | | from people. They get some from the staff but it's |
| know the dog will be everyone's responsibility. | | | | limited. The staff is usually pretty busy and there are |
| Feeding, walking, training and loving your new pet | | | | usually quite a few dogs to take care of so finding |
| should be shared between family members. If | | | | the time for one-on-one attention is difficult. So try |
| everyone is in agreement it's time to search for your | | | | to remember that a dog may be very excited when |
| new family member. Bring the entire family. You'll | | | | he first meets you. Spend some time with the dog |
| want to know how well everyone will get along. It's | | | | so you can find out what he or she is really like. |
| important that everyone in your family sees, pets | | | | Spend that time with the dog and you may find that |
| and interacts with the dog if it's possible. | | | | the dog is a lot different than your first impression |
| (2) - If you have other pets, bring them with you to | | | | would have lead you to believe. |
| the shelter and have them meet the dog you may | | | | If you do adopt a shelter dog be sure to visit a local |
| adopt if you're seriously considering a specific dog. It | | | | vet as soon as possible. A healthy pet is a happy pet. |
| would be a good idea to call the shelter first so that | | | | If the dog has no known medical history then you |
| they're prepared. They'll usually be happy to work | | | | have to start developing one. If there is a medical |
| with you and help you find a dog that will be a great | | | | history then it's still important that the dog is current |
| match for your family. You don't need to arrive at | | | | on all vaccinations and treatments. Let the vet tell |
| home with your new pet and find out there's a big | | | | you what the dog needs. |
| problem. Do that at the shelter. It's best done | | | | Good luck if you're considering adopting a dog from a |
| outside the shelter with shelter staff present. In busy | | | | shelter. I'm sure you'll be very glad you did. It's a |
| shelters this may be a problem which is why you | | | | great feeling to know you may have saved your |
| should always speak with them in advance. All of the | | | | new, best friend's life. |