Dog Adoption Process

People considering adopting a dog in need of a forever home are doing a great service in helping save their lives. However, sometimes if they have not totally thought through the commitment, how their life style will change, the costs involved in owning a pet, etc... they change their mind. And what initially began as a way to help a needy pup ended up hurting one instead. How?

Most pet adoption organizations are all-volunteer. These people spend all of their free time rescuing dogs, grooming and caring for dogs, meeting with potential adopters, answering questions, working tirelessly day in and day out, to complete adoptions. It is therefore imperative that you help by doing your part. Think through your decision carefully and be 100% sure you're ready to adopt a dog.

The adoption process is lengthy and it is upsetting to the rescue volunteers when they go the extra mile for potential adopters, to have them call and say - "we've changed our minds". By changing your mind so quickly means you really didn't think it through and the rescue loses hours of time and energy that could have been better utilized towards helping someone else or saving another life.

Although each rescue center has their own way of doing things, here are the basic steps of the entire pet adoption process from start to finish.

Once you've contacted a rescue to adopt a dog, you will need to fill out and submit an application for review. A volunteer then carefully reads through each submitted application, one by one, to find the applicants that meet their adoption qualifications. The applicant is then contacted for a one on one interview. Volunteers spend hours on the phone interviewing and answering the questions of potential adopters. Face-to-face meetings or home interviews are also conducted when possible.

During this time the adoption contract is explained so potential adopters are totally informed about their responsibilities. Also all questions from the potential adopter are answered. Dogs are groomed and prepared to go to their new family.

The adoption process may be time-consuming, but it's well worth it in the end for dogs in need to find loving homes. Dog rescues want to see their pets go to loving, permanent homes where they will be properly cared for by responsible owners. So please take the time to make an informed decision. Be sure you are really ready to own a dog.

Take our dog quiz and find out if you are really ready to own a dog.

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