Adopt a pet near you (2024)

FAQs

How to answer pet adoption questions? ›

Be honest in your answers and don't lie about anything that you're asked. It's tempting to write down what you think the rescue wants to hear, but this could lead to you matching with a cat or dog who won't fit well in your home environment.

Missing Information About the Organization/Shelter

If you can't find any information about the organization or group that listed the dog, it's a major red flag – especially if there's an adoption fee involved. Puppy mills are often disguised as adoption groups and want to give dogs away quickly for a price.

Overburdened shelters take in millions of stray, abused and lost animals every year, and by adopting an animal, you're making room for others. Not only are you giving more animals a second chance, but the cost of your adoption goes directly towards helping those shelters better care for the animals they take in!

Consider adoption first

Your local animal shelter or rescue organization can help you find the right match for your family. There are also breed-specific rescue groups for every breed of dog, including "designer" or "hybrids" like labradoodles and puggles.

Answering the question “Do you have any pets?” couldn't be simpler. “Yeah, I have a cat.” “Yeah, I have a dog.” “Yeah, I have a dog and a cat.”

Include how you know the person you are writing the reference letter for and how long you have known them. If you have witnessed the individual or couple's involvement with children, either your children or others, tell how they interact and what qualities they have that would make them good parents.

The 3-3-3 rule is a guideline for transitioning a rescue dog into its new home and helping it to settle in. It suggests that the first three days should be used for adjusting to its new surroundings, the next three weeks for training and bonding, and the first three months for continued socialization and training.

Anyone wishing to walk up to four (4) will require a dog walking licence. A licence is not necessary for anyone walking less than four dogs.

What is known is that in 2019, one in five California shelter animals was euthanized, totaling 124,000 shelter deaths. In 2020, as the pandemic descended, euthanasia rates dropped dramatically, with a record low of 51,000 animals put down, according to the UC Davis report.

What to consider before adopting a pet? ›

Be prepared to invest in your pet - veterinary care, equipment, food, and training can be expensive. Make sure that you and your chosen pet get to know each other and visit them more than once. Ensure that your other pets (e.g. dogs) get along well with your chosen pet by taking them to the shelter.

Disadvantages of adopting from a shelter

The history of aggressive behavior may be unknown. Shelter dogs can have some training issues because they often come with different life experiences. They require patience and time to adapt.

Most Popular Pets in the U.S.

Dogs (65.1 million households) Cats (46.5 million households) Freshwater fish (11.1 million households) Small animals such as hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice and ferrets (6.7 million households)

A dog is a great pet for an outgoing and extroverted family because dogs are outgoing themselves. If your family is made up of introverts, a cat or rabbit might be the perfect companion. Do any of your family members have allergies? If being around pet fur makes you sneeze, a reptile might make a more suitable pet.

If the question is asked by someone with whom you or your child has an ongoing relationship, you might say, “It sounds like you are curious about adoption and may want to know more.” This response allows you to educate the person about adoption and even give them some resources to refer to.

For some, there are extremely practical reasons: for guidance or therapy, security, or even search and rescue work. Perhaps you live on a farm and need a dog to herd your sheep or cattle.

Why do you want to adopt? What do you think your parenting style will be like? How well do you understand the adoption process? What do you know about some of the unique challenges adopted children can face?