SolveYourProblem.com
Article Series: Dog Adoption
How Do I Adopt A Dog?
Adopt
A Rescue Puppy - How Does It Work?
For all the dog lovers out there it goes without
saying that a new dog for the family should come from a shelter
or breed rescue group. While the shelter works with all breeds
that are dropped off, rescue groups work with one specific
breed. Both strive to prepare their animals as best possible
to be adoptable (training, care, health).
At the same time that a shelter or rescue group prepares a
puppy or dog for adoption, they also try to find eligible
adopters.
Both types of organizations place advertisements on the Internet
and in local newspapers that describe available animals. Potential
adopters might respond by phone or e-mail, or visit in person.
However, not all potential adopters make the grade. Many facilities
have very strict guidelines and restrictions on who gets one
of their puppies. For example, the following criteria is standard
for people looking to adopt a pup from a high-quality shelter
or rescue group:
- A stay-at-home parent (or one that works from home) should
be present. This is because puppies can't stay alone in a crate
for more than a couple of hours.
- There
should also be another dog in the family that the new puppy
can learn from. This helps immensely in the pup's
socialization.
- A
fence is mandatory if there are children in the house younger
than the age of six.
- And
finally, a commitment from the adopter to continue socialization
and a willingness to take the pup to professional
training.
Just as rescue groups and animal shelters are fussy about
who can adopt their puppies, potential adopters should be equally
fussy as to whom they adopt a puppy from. For example, at a
shelter, there should be co-housing: puppies housed with other
puppies for critical socialization to dogs.
Also, the premises should be clean, and there should be appropriate
toys and bedding with the puppies. There should be some sort
of program or schedule for getting the puppies out of the kennel
to interact with people and see different sights and sounds.
Visitors to a shelter should be greeted by a pleasant and
knowledgeable staff member or volunteer. Both shelters and
rescue groups should be able to provide information on why
the puppy was brought to a shelter or into rescue, confirmation
that the puppy has received all immunizations, and information
on other resources such as owner counseling or dog training.
Once the shelter or rescue group passes your approval, a prospective
adopter should look closely at the puppy he or she is interested
in before making a final decision to adopt. A puppy that shows
signs of illness or poor care – such as excessive amount of
fleas as an example – should be avoided. The dog should have
no diarrhea on his rear and hind legs, no discharge, and you
want a puppy who shows an interest in you and is at least somewhat
active.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2009
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