Adopting a dog is a wonderful process that gives a homeless animal a forever home and gives you a loving canine companion. It’s important to be aware that the adoption process has a few essential steps you must complete and that shelters and rescue organizations typically have basic requirements you must meet before you are allowed to adopt a dog.
Our article gives you details on what might be expected of you, including any age restrictions, as you start the process of adding a new dog to your family.
Age requirements and other requirements for adopting dogs do vary across rescue organizations, shelters, and different states, but you can expect that you must be at least 18 years of age to adopt age. By being a legal adult, you can undertake the responsibility of caring for and housing a dog by yourself without the potential for issues that an underage individual might have when bringing a dog home.
Some organizations may require that adopters are at least 21 years of age, and others might have requirements when it comes to prior dog handling experience in the case of dogs that might have behavioral issues or be recognized as harder to handle.
It’s important that you review the rules of the specific shelter or rescue organization you are trying to adopt a dog from before looking at the available dogs so you know if you are eligible to complete an adoption.
The following steps are all important components of the dog adoption process, and you should carefully review them to get an idea of what adopting a dog may be like.
Keep in mind that steps and requirements vary depending on specific state laws and the shelter you are adopting from, so always double-check the adoption process with the shelter or rescue where you are planning on finding your dog.
The first step in the dog adoption process is figuring out which local shelter or rescue organization you wish to adopt from. There are typically many of these organizations throughout each state, and if you are looking for a specific breed of dog, you might also be able to work with a national rescue organization that is dedicated to a certain breed.
As you look through your options of shelters and rescues, make sure that the organization looks reputable and that they are treating their dogs as ethically and humanely as possible. It might be a good idea to search your local for any ‘kill’ shelters, as dogs in these shelters typically have a more urgent need to be adopted into a forever home.
Attending local adoption events is a great way to meet and greet potential adoptable dogs and see them interacting with people. Shelter and rescue environments are very different from being out in public, and the dog you are interested in adopting might feel better about displaying their true personality at one of these events.
Additionally, at a local adoption event, you can speak to individuals who work at various shelters and rescues in your area, getting a good idea of the organization and what the steps are for adopting a dog at that specific organization. If you meet a dog you fall in love with, you may even be able to learn more about them and work with the organization to get the adoption process started immediately.
Understanding the adoption requirements for the specific shelter or rescue organization you are working with is essential before you start meeting adoptable dogs. You should know your eligibility for adopting a dog, the process of adoption, and the cost of adoption; these factors help you make a totally informed and responsible decision about adding a dog to your family and what it might take to care for your dog over the course of their life.
Meeting adoptable dogs is probably the most fun step of the adoption process. Work with shelters and rescue organizations to arrange visits for adoptable dogs and spend time getting to know the dogs that you are interested in adopting. You can request to take dogs on short walks, ask about their training and previous history, and spend some time bonding with the dog to see if you are a good fit for them and if they are a good fit for you.
Occasionally, some shelters will let you foster a dog you are interested in before adopting them or take the dog out on daytime or overnight adventures so you can get a good feel for their personality and what life will be like upon adoption.
Once you’ve met the dogs you are interested in adopting, it’s time to select the best furry friend for your lifestyle. There are several things to consider when choosing a dog, from items such as the size of the dog, any health issues or behavioral problems, and their activity level. It’s important that you select a dog that will fit easily into your life and that you can care for without too much stress, as this will ensure the dog transitions well into their forever home and that you both live happily together.
Don’t be afraid to ask the shelter or rescue organization if you are able to foster a dog before committing to adoption or bring them back to the shelter if you determine that they aren’t the right fit for your home. Most reputable shelters will allow you to return a dog, as they want what is best for the animal and a home that can provide them with the love and care that they need.
The last step of adopting a dog is finalizing paperwork with the shelter or rescue organization, paying any applicable adoption fees, and bringing your new dog home. You should expect it to take a few days at least for your dog to become settled into their new home, and as the two of you settle into a routine, more of their true personality will start to show through.
Before you introduce your new dog into your home, make sure you have all of the items you will need to care for them already, including food, toys, leashes, and beds. You will also need to create a game plan if you already have a dog or other pets at home and need to make safe introductions as you get your new dog settled into the household.
Adopting a dog is an enjoyable and rewarding process, though many individuals tend to focus solely on bringing the dog home. It’s important to consider the following things in regard to caring for a dog long-term and ensuring that you can provide them with their best life.
The first and most essential thing to consider before adopting a dog is the basic adoption requirements that you might need to meet before you are allowed to bring a dog home. In most places, you will need to be at least 18 years old to adopt a dog, though some organizations might require that their adopters be at least 21 years old.
You will also need to adhere to any other requirements that the shelter or rescue organization has in place. These requirements are typically developed to ensure that the dogs in their care find safe, loving homes and to decrease the chances of dogs repeatedly being returned to the shelter.
Before you bring a dog home, you need to carefully evaluate whether or not you can afford to adopt a dog. Adoption fees are common when adopting, but you also need to keep in mind that you will need to pay veterinary fees to have your dog established with your local vet and regular vet fees as you take them for their yearly appointments. You will also need to pay for food, toys, and bedding, and you might need to pay for specific medications to help with health issues that occur throughout your dog’s life.
If you aren’t prepared to pay for the cost of care throughout your dog’s life, or if you only have the funds to cover the adoption fee, you might want to wait until you are more financially secure before bringing a dog into your care.
When it comes to adopting a dog, special care can refer to anything from extra training needs or daily medication to professional training for serious behavioral issues. You might end up with a dog that has separation anxiety or one that needs to be properly socialized so they can live a happy and stress-free life. Speak with the shelter or rescue organization about your potential new dog’s care needs to decide whether you are equipped to care for them.
As you choose a dog to adopt, it’s important to consider their needs in relation to your lifestyle. If you are out of the house often, you frequently travel on vacation, and you don’t have a lot of spare time to exercise your dog, then a dog might not be the best option for you unless you plan on bringing them with you during the day or on vacation.
You should take note of your new dog’s energy and exercise needs and whether or not they would be happier with other animals in the home to play with. Only select a dog that fits your lifestyle, whether that be finding an active dog or one that is more of a couch potato, as this helps to ensure you are a good life-long fit and that the two of you can live happily together.
Adopting a dog is a rewarding process. However, as you add a canine companion to your family, there are plenty of things to consider, such as meeting basic age requirements for adopting and ensuring that the dog you elect to take home is a good fit for you and your lifestyle.
Always take your time with adoption, and don’t rush the process, as you want to be sure you make an informed decision about what is best for you and your new canine companion.