My Friendly Pets

As we know, there are so many dogs waiting to be adopted. Some are in shelters and with the popularity of the internet, other dogs obtained and held by rescue organizations can get the information out there freely regarding the dogs that are ready for adoption. Just because an organization calls themselves a “shelter” or “rescue” organization, it is important to look at them carefully to insure that their interests are in the best interests of the dogs they are trying to get adopted.

There are some guidelines to be aware of when looking at an animal from a shelter or rescue organization. First and foremost, the rescue/shelter organization will always put the welfare of the dog first, as that should be their mission, the safety and well being of those they care for. Don’t expect to walk into one of these establishments, find an animal and they give the dog to you without a second glance. A reputable establishment will require a formal application as part of the adoption process. They will follow through by checking on the references to insure the best dog goes to the right home.

A good quality shelter will have the dog spayed/neutered before it is adopted. If the animal can’t be spayed or neutered for some reason, the adoption contract should contain a stipulation that the surgery is done at the earliest opportunity. Never take a dog from an organizaiton that has not had the animal examined by a veterinarian. The dog should also be current with whatever shots are required by the age dog to be adopted. A very important part of the examination of the dog should also be temperament evaluation. It is essential to determine if a dog will be a good dog with children, other dogs, or cats before it is placed in a household. If adequate temperament testing is not done, the dog might be returned to the shelter and this causes further distress to the dog.

A good shelter/rescue will offer support to those who adopt their dogs on an ongoing basis. Also, when you sign an adoption contract, most good contracts will require you to return the pet to the shelter if you want to relinquish the dog. They will not want you to go through other measures and try to get rid of the dog yourself. If you remember, that is what happen to Ellen DeGeneres and it made for a very bad situation for everyone. Click here to check out the prior entry.

Most importantly, go with your gut…if something doesn’t look or sound right, turn around and find a place where you feel comfortable and where you know you will find a dog that will become a true member of your family.