How to Adopt a Pet From a Shelter

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You can't wait to adopt a rescued animal. But there's a lot to do before you bring your pet home from the shelter.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Landlord approval
Money
A good shelter
Completed paperwork and references
Patience
A pet carrier

Step 1: Decide if you're ready

Pets need love, but they also need attentive owners who are patient, available, and able to afford the expenses and effort to take care of them. Since many animals—like dogs, cats, and birds—can live for more than a decade, determine whether your schedule, lifestyle, and finances will allow you to be a good long-term pet owner.

Step 2: Check in with your landlord

If you rent your home, check in with your landlord to make sure you're living in a building that's pet-friendly. Otherwise, bringing home a furry friend may violate the terms of your lease.

Tip: To prevent future hassles, get a signed, dated document from your landlord stating that pet ownership is permitted on the property.

Step 3: Find a shelter

Search online for a local shelter. Many sites offer reviews of shelters; find one in your area that rates well, gets good feedback, and has the kind of pet you're looking for. If you can, visit in person to get a feel for the place and its staff.

Step 4: Investigate the adoption process

Each shelter has its own adoption process, so find out what's required in advance. You may be asked to provide documentation and personal references to verify your income, home address, and travel and work habits. Consider assembling & filling out paperwork you might need before you get there. Also, make sure you've got the funds to pay for adoption fees.

Tip: Find out whether your adoption fee covers services like spaying or neutering, disease testing, and microchipping. Also, ask about the shelter's return policy.

Step 5: Visit the shelter

Visit the shelter, and meet the pets. It's great to find the fuzzball of your dreams right away, but don't feel pressured to adopt the same day or leave with a pet that you're not totally sure of. You want the one that's right for you, so take your time.

Step 6: Speak with a shelter worker

If you decide you'd like to adopt a pet, let a shelter worker know. They'll be happy to start walking you through the process. They may also be able to provide some background about your prospective pet: where it came from, if it has any issues you should be aware of, how long it's been at the shelter, and other information.

Step 7: Take your pet home

Once you've finished the adoption process, congratulations! You're a proud pet owner. Take your pet home, and introduce it to its new family.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• homefamily
• animal
• protection
• adopting
• adoption
• dog
• cat
• kennel
• pets
• buying
• humane

[DanielleMcOrmond]

Man, if people only new how important it is to adopt animals from a shelter vs. getting one from a private breeder or pet store.

[merry3perish]

Wow. The cat has STRIPS on the tail. They spelled STRIPES wrong.

[HeartButerfly]

@CandyCat957 there are actually a lot of pure bred cats/dogs in shelters but some people think they are no good and get one at a pet store or breeder instead of getting the same thing but also saving a life. I might get a cat from a shelter too I've been looking into cat breeds and i think a full of energy jumping siamese kitten would be great! I have a cat already but i wanna get him a little friend :) so i would like a cat from a shelter

[CandyCat957]

My Siamese cats are purebred and from a shelter:)

[13abbitt]

Poor people can adopt pets, too. Ask about programs in your area. ... and don't adopt a pet the same day you meet it. Try to sleep on it: come back the next morning. You might want to visualize the pet in your house, before he/she gets there. peace

[13abbitt]

Poor people can adopt pets, too. Ask about programs in your area. ... and don't adopt a pet the same day you meet it. Try to sleep on it: come back the next morning. You might want to visualize the pet in your house, before he/she gets there. peace

[spy96]

Cats can live for 2 decades

[Brian567899]

@beatricexox New people bout the apartments so now i have my own puppy! A year later after that comment lol Happy Holidays

[beatricexox]

@Brian567899 actually even though some leases dont allow,you actually have the right to own a pet,it says so on the SPCA website.

[Bathoric95]

Favorite food: Cat food. I wonder what else you can feed a cat? ....I love Howcast and how much they tend to fail.