Preparing for Adoption
Adopting a pet affects the whole family, so it's a good idea to involve everyone in the discussion. Here are some things to think about when choosing to adopt.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Pet
1. How busy is your family’s schedule? Are the adults in the household working outside the home and too busy for around-the-clock care? Does your family have afterschool activities and you’re out of the house most of the day? Looking at your family’s ability to tend to an animal’s needs will help you determine the type of pet to adopt.
2. What do your living arrangements look like? Do you live in an apartment or in a large home with an acre of land? Different types of animals have different needs when it comes to space and exercise.
3. What are the ages and maturity levels of the children in the home? Are they too young to help take care of the animal? Remember, small dogs and small children can be a bad combination, depending on the temperament of both the animal and the child.
4. Are you prepared to invest in your pet? From veterinary care to supplies to training, pet ownership can be expensive.
5. Does anyone in the household have allergies to animals? This will help you determine the type of pet you can realistically take home.
6. Discuss the fears of family members. Is anyone in the family afraid of dogs? If so, you may want to reconsider bringing home a new puppy.
7. Are you willing to wait for your animal? In addition to any age-appropriate vaccines, all animals must be spayed or neutered before they leave the shelter. Depending on the age of the animal and our vet’s schedule, it may take a month or more for them to be ready to go home. Once your adoption application has been approved, feel free to come by and visit with them during our business hours until adoption day!
8. How patient are you willing to be with a shelter pet? The animals in our care come to us in varying states of distress. Some cats may have come to us as ferals, and some dogs might have been brought to us after the passing of an owner. The shelter environment can be incredibly stressful for some of them as well. Transitions can be difficult for everyone, animals included.
9. Do you have a plan for the animal should you no longer able to care for them? Cats can live to their early 20s, and dogs can live to be in their late teens depending on their size. As such, they should be included in your will in the event of your passing.
10. Have you taken enough time to make this decision? Choosing to open your home to a new pet can be a huge commitment. It takes time, patience, and money to provide a shelter animal with a new life. Make sure you’ve discussed what adopting entails with the whole family.
Have you thought about the above items and decided that adoption is a good choice for your family? Click the button below to access the application!