How to Adopt a Pet from a Shelter?

If you start thinking about getting a pet, you should definitely consider adopting an animal from a shelter. That way, you may save life of such creature, which usually becomes really gratefull. What is very important in such situation is the fact that the shelter examines such animal closely, to determine its character and health status. You also have a chance to get to know the pets better during your visits at a shelter, and choose the one which wll be the right match for you.

What Type of Pet Do You Want?

The first thing you need to consider is the type of an animal companion you are looking for. You may be quite general and decide that you want a dog, a cat or a bird. But you can also be more specific and decide that you want to adopt a representative of a certain breed. Many people also tend to specify the age of an animal, as some of them prefer young pets while others want an adult one.

Contact the Shelters

The next thing you should do is to make a list of all the shelters in your area. If you've already specified your needs considering the animal type you are looking for, you may contact every one of them and ask whether they have such pets. Sometimes, it is possible to leave your telephone number, so the shelter will contact you when the certain pet arrives to the facility. However, if you do not have any specific requirements, you may just make an appointment to visit the shelter and look for the pet.

Meet the Pets

You need to be aware of the fact that adopting a pet may take some time. In most cases it is not an easy process, and making the final decision is sometimes really difficult. However, it is necessary to take everything into account before you will be sure that the certain pet is right for you.

That is why, it is very important to meet different pets during your visits at a shelter, and try to know their character better. Even, if you think that you have already chosen the animal, you should spend some time with it, for example taking it for a walk or playing with it.

Complete the Paperwork

Every shelter wants to make sure that it is giving the pet to the responsible and reliable person. That is why, you will need to complete some paperwork and provide any additional documents the shelter requires. You will probably need an ID with a picture and for example a letter from your landlord, to confirm he permits animals at his flat.

What is more, some shelters also wants to interview the people who adopt certain animals. Shelter's employee may ask you some question concerning your housing situation, work schedule and your previous experience with owning a pet.

After signing all the papers, you usually have to pay some adoption fees, which are not very high, and then you may take your new companion home.

Prepare the House For a Pet

You should prepare for your new pet's arrival by buying all the necessary accessories it needs and of course appropriate food. You also need to remove all dangerous substances and elements of home decor, so the animal won't be able to reach them.