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With millions of healthy pets facing uncertain futures in overcrowded animal shelters and rescue organizations you may be tempted to adopt the first animal you find. While providing a home for a homeless or neglected animal is a noble ambition, you should do some research before bringing your new furry friend home. The vast majority of organizations providing assistance to these animals do so with every intention of matching the right animal with the right family, however not all organizations are on the up and up. If you notice the following red flags during the adoption process you may want to think twice before committing yourself.

The shelter is less than forthcoming with information.

Many animals come into shelters as strays or with limited history available to the organizers, so it is not uncommon for workers to have to make educated guesses about an animals personality. That being said, if you ask specific questions and you receive answers that seem evasive you should think twice before adopting. A reputable organization will be forthcoming with answers to the best of their knowledge and will be willing to disclose if they do NOT know the answers. Ideally everyone in the adoption process is interested in getting the right pet with the right family.

The shelter does not ask you questions.

Adopting a pet is a serious commitment and the shelter should be diligent in weeding out people who are acting on impulse or emotion. It doesn’t help anyone involved if you adopt a pet just to return it to the shelter in a few weeks. In order to find the right candidate for adoption a good shelter will require you fill out an application which includes questions about your home, your reason for wanting a pet, your ability to take care of the pet and a commitment to return the pet to the shelter if the adoption didn’t work out. If the shelter or rescue that you are working with does not ask questions or have an application process proceed with caution as they may not have the best interest of you or the pet in mind.

Fluctuating Adoption Fees.

Adoption fees should remain consistent for all quality and breeds of animals. The only exception is an adjusted fee for age or health of an animal. If each animal has a different adoption fee this may be a red flag that the organization is more interested in collecting fees than placing the pet in the right home.

No Vet Records.

Do not adopt a pet from an organization that lacks veterinary documentation. All adopted pets should be current on vaccinations as well as spay/neuter information. If your pet is not currently spayed/neutered the shelter should offer a spay/neuter program to ensure the adopted animal will not contribute to the overpopulation problem we are facing today.

 

Bringing a pet into your home should be a rewarding experience for all involved. Responsible pet owners know that providing a home for an animal requires both an emotional and financial commitment. By paying attention during the adoption process you can feel confident that you are making an educated decision and saving a life in the process.

 

 



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