What to consider when adopting a rescue dog?

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Have you been thinking about getting a dog from a shelter? Would you like to give him the most valuable thing – a safe home? The adoption of a dog should not be underestimated, and therefore we have drafted some basic information for you.

If you decide to adopt a dog from shelter, you should think it over and discuss it with your family in advance. A rescue dog has already been disappointed by another family at least once and there is nothing worse than another disappointment for such a fragile dog soul.

Which one suits me the best?

Before getting a dog, you should consider the size and character of a dog that suits your lifestyle, leisure time, finances and living conditions. Do you prefer a grown-up dog or a puppy? The common myth is the fear of not being able to change the dog’s habits when adopting a grown-up or older dog. This is absolutely not true, however it requires a lot of patience and consistency. With a young dog you should have an extra time to give him a proper exercise and maybe a few training sessions too.

How to choose the right dog shelter?

Before you choose a rescue dog, you should select the dog shelter where they let you in. There you can take a look at all dogs as well as around the environment and make the first contact with the dog you like. The local professionals should provide you all available information about the age of the dog, his health conditions, the reason of arrival, length of stay in shelter or vaccination. They should also have a short interview with you as with a potential new owner of that dog. Do not get scared, it means that the shelter really cares about the right placement for dogs.

A few next steps

During your visit you will have to answer a few questions, for example if you have a garden, children, have an experience with pets or if you own any other animals. Regarding of your conversation a good shelter should find out which dog is the most suitable for you. You should be able to take the dog for a walk and get to know him a little bit more outside of the shelter. The whole family, including the other furry members, should visit the shelter with you as well.

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Rules of the adoption

Most of the dog shelters in United States are governed by the following rules:

  • Any person over 18y may adopt a dog.

  • Every person must identify himself/herself by his/her identity card.

  • The future owner must pick up a dog at a dog shelter personally and sign a contract to entrust a dog in custody.

  • Some dog shelters include to the contract a point with possibility to check the dog at new owners after adoption or a duty to return the dog within a protective time - max. 6 months - if the original owner is found.

Prepare also some cash to pay the adoption fee, which is the compensation for vaccination, deworming and other expenses incurred by the dog shelter, and remember to take a collar and a leash with you as well.

Dog gratitude is not just a phrase and your love and care will be given back from them more than twice!

A good deed remains forever!

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