Shelters such as ours are often filled with highly adoptable dogs and cats. Many people have the impression that shelters are filled with destructive, aggressive, or hard to train animals. In reality, many dogs wind up here after their owners die, move away, or when families separate.
Do Your Homework. Think about the kind of life you lead: gone all day? kids always underfoot? Quiet and mostly indoors? Do your have other animals? What are your usual activities? Will your new pet be involved in these activities?
Think Long Term. A dog is a 10 to 15 year commitment, cats are 15 to 20. Don't go into this relationship lightly.
Plan Ahead. It is a great idea to print our application at home and fill it out before you come to the shelter. You can fax it over or send it as an email attachment. This way, if we have any further questions which may delay the adoption process, we can take care of them before you come.
Be Honest On the Application. We ask many thought provoking questions. These questions are meant to guide adoptive families into making the right choice for their lifestyle and living situation, as well as for the safety of the new pet.
The past does not predict the future. The animals you see at the shelter (especially some dogs) may not have the best manners, but they can be trained. They may have been abused or neglected, but they can form new relationships and are usually more than willing to learn.
Look past the stress. Shelters are high anxiety places for animals, so it might be difficult to get an ideal picture of their personality at first. Take the time to search for clues. Does she pay attention after time? If so, that's a good sign. If not, spend a bit more time, the longer you spend with them, the more they will calm down and focus.
Ask many questions. This seems obvious, but it's surprising how many people walk through the kennels looking to adopt and never bother to ask our staff any questions. We are here every day, so chances are we know a little about a dog or cats personality. Some dogs, for instance don't seem very nice when you first walk by, but may be the perfect match for you. We are happy to relay any in formation on our animals to prospective families. With just a couple questions from us, we can help you make a better informed decision.