Tips for adoption

Video: Adoption Tips: Our experience of the adoption process.

Considering adding a dog to the family? If so there are several different avenues you can take, and all lead to bringing home a new dog or puppy. Most people like the idea of adopting a homeless dog and I am certainly one of these people. You can also find a quality dog breeder for the dog but this has one big drawback: very expensive. Often the practical option is visiting one of the local animal rescue shelters and choosing a dog from the hundreds you will see. With this in mind, below you will find a few tips for dog adoption to help guide you through the process.

Video: Cat Adoption & Cat Rescue: Tips for Adopting a Cat from a Shelter

One of the initial tips for dog adoption I wish to cover concerns the dogs themselves. A common misperception is all dogs in animal rescue shelters and humane societies are mean, unhealthy, old, and unattainable dogs. Nothing could be further from the truth. The vast majority of the canines you will find in these shelters are young adults and puppies who have ended up there due to circumstances beyond their control. Normal reasons why the dog has ended up in the shelter include the owner passing away, the previous owner has become ill and is no longer able to care for the dog, loss of a job and the dog is an expense the owner cannot deal with, change of job requiring a relocation where the dog is not welcome or allowed, and so on.

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Video: Adoption Tips - The Home Study Julie Williams

Finding the perfect dog to adopt requires spending the time to visit a few local animal rescue shelters. Talk with staff and explain what type of dog you have in mind, how much yard space you have, do you want a puppy or adult dog, are there children in your family, how much experience you have with dogs, and your financial abilities to provide for a dog. They will use all this information to narrow down the list of best dogs for you to look at. If the first shelter comes up blank, move to the next one.

Since you know you are bringing a dog into your home, already have the necessary doggy supplies on hand. Dog or puppy food, water and food bowls, collar and leash, a dog cushion/bed with blankets, preferably a dog crate, and plenty of play toys.

Depending on if the new addition is a puppy or adult dog, be prepared for housebreaking and allowing the dog time to adjust to his or her new home. This may take a few days or even weeks but the dog will soon settle in. A crate helps immensely in this process.

Try these tips for dog adoption and you will not only be giving a loving dog a good home, you will be gaining a very loyal friend and pal!

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