Adopting a shelter dog can be a rewarding experience.
According to the Humane Society, animal shelters in the United States provide care for between 6 to 8 million dogs every year. Because of space and health concerns, between 3 to 4 million of these shelter dogs are euthanized annually. Adopting a dog from an animal shelter is an act that saves the life of the animal. It is crucially important to perform due diligence, and ask important questions about the dog you are adopting before bringing the dog home.
Breed Questions
Before adopting a shelter dog, it is important to find out what information the shelter has on the dog's breed. If you live in rental housing, your least may prohibited from adopting certain breeds of dog with a reputation for violence, such as rottweilers and pit bulls. The breed of dog may also be an important concern if a member of your home has allergy issues. Some breeds of dogs commonly found in shelters, such as German shepherds, are notoriously poor choices for owners with allergy problems because of frequent shedding.
Temperament Questions
Ask shelter employees about how the dog has behaved since entering the shelter. If you have another dog or a small child at home, it is crucially important that the shelter dog be comfortable around other dogs or small children. If you live in a small apartment, choosing a dog with an active temperament that requires space to run around may not be prudent. Ask if the dog appears to be properly socialized. If the dog does not appear to have experience interacting with other dogs and you live in a neighborhood in which contact with other dogs would be constant, this is an important consideration.
Health Questions
Ask how long the dog has been in the shelter. If the dog has been sheltered for more than a couple of weeks, negative conditions endemic to a dog shelter, such as kennel cough or the need to house-train the dog again, may be an issue. Ask if the dog has been receiving treatment for a health condition, as well as the likelihood that the dog will require treatment after adoption.
Financial Questions
Ask the shelter about their estimates for the financial commitment of adopting a particular dog. If you are adopting a puppy, some shelters include the cost of initial shots and spaying/neutering the dog with the adoption fee, which can otherwise cost hundreds of dollars. Ask if your shelter has a discount agreement with a local veterinary office. Some shelters may have an agreement with local veterinary offices, in which they provide discounted veterinary care for adopted dogs.
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