6 Suggestions to Help You Adopt a Dog

Isn't this a wonderful photo? These two, dog and girl, are totally together. Gloriously happy as can be.

I'll bet this is a version of what you're envisioning as you begin the process of adopting a dog into your family. I'm here to say, "Yes, this can happen to you!"

My own experience, and that of many, many others is that your special dog is out there waiting for you to come pick her up, and take her home.

Here are my 6 suggestions for beginning your trek on the road to doggie happiness:

Getting Ready to Adopt

1. Take some time to think through why you want to bring a dog into your family. Companionship and fun are good reasons. So are many others. What are yours?

2. You might want to think about your family lifestyle, and what kind of life you can offer a dog.

• Do you live in a home with a fenced in yard? Or, an apartment? Are you working at home or does your employment keep you away from the home 10 hours a day?
• How are you going to walk the dog each day?
• Have you got kids that want to romp around with the dog?
• What size dog are you interested in? Are you more the lap dog type?
• Would the dog live indoors or outdoors? In a bedroom, or in the kitchen? Are you interested in crate training the dog (crates can make great dens--little doggie paradises.)

3. Do you want a dog that's "purebred" with AKC registration papers that you can show at dog shows? Or, would you prefer a "family dog" that can fit in with your daily life?

Choosing Where To Look For Your Dog

4. I recommend you start with your local shelters and rescue organizations. These folks are dedicated to finding good homes for the pets in their care. They've got a wide variety of dogs and if you're patient, you can find the right dog for you and your family. Shelters and rescue groups also have dogs with AKC papers, so don't skip these wonderful resources. (FYI, Oprah recently adopted a purebred Cocker Spaniel from a shelter in Chicago.)

You can look for local shelters on www.petfinder.com and www.pets911.com . Both sites have a facility to type in your zip code and give the geographic radius you are willing to drive to get your pet.

5. Be aware that each shelter and rescue organization has its own rules on what they think will make a good adoptive family. Some have application forms to fill out, references to provide, interviews with family members and current pets. Others go by their personal "gut feel."

• When I adopted Krystal from a private shelter (located through www.Petfinder.com ,) they told me that many shelters would not have let me adopt from them because I didn't have a fenced in back yard. 
• Krystal's shelter told me the reason they decided to let me adopt Krystal was because I provided references with phone numbers and emails (they never contacted them.) More importantly, I also provided the name, address and phone number of the veterinarian I was planning to care for my new dog. For that shelter, my providing the vet's information was the most important piece of information. It showed my sincere intention to provide excellent care for my future dog.  (Much thanks to my friend Karen for handing me her vet's business card when I mentioned I was looking for a dog!)
• Be ready to encounter these types of situations. If you find a roadblock, don't take it personally. Move on to the next shelter. Don't be disuaded from bringing dog happiness into your family life.

6. Six great things about shelters and rescue organizations are:

• They know their dogs and they can help you figure out what the best type of dog is for your family's lifestyle. They're good at this. So be sure to let them help you.
• Shelter animals are often spay/neutered, vaccinated, and have their microchip identification already inserted.
• There are lots of different types of dogs in shelters, so you've got a choice.
• Usually, the shelters know a lot about the dog you become interested in adopting. Be sure to ask "personal" questions about the dog.
• If the dog turns out to be sick, or not a good fit for your family, most shelters want you to return the dog to them. They can then find a better fit or get medical care for the dog.
• Adopting from a shelter supports your community. When you adopt from a local shelter, you create room for another dog to find a new "forever family." 

Krystal and I send you our best wishes on your search for doggie happiness.

Photo by: D Sharon Pruitt

Comments

[Todd]

Oh man, great guide! I'm totally into second chances for pups, and it's nice to have folks out there doing work to make it easier for people to help those pups less fortunate. Nice!

[Gina Buss]

What an adorable photo! Great post - I wish so many more people would adopt for their local shelter.

I have 2 dogs. 1 I adopted from the county pound and the other from a local rescue organization. Honestly they are the 2 best dogs I have ever know. I definitely feel like they were "waiting for me" and I'm so grateful I found them.

I know that anyone can find the perfect dog for them at a shelter!

[Kaye Swafford]

Hi Todd,
Thanks so much for your vote for a second chance for pups.

[Kaye Swafford]

Hi Gina,

Thanks for your comment on the photo. I saw it and knew it fully expressed doggie happiness.

I'm glad your wondeful dogs were "waiting for you", that's the way it was with Krystal and me.

Kaye

[Betty]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Betty

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