In each and every neighborhood, there are many loving, adoptable pets waiting for a family and home to call their own. When you adopt a pet, so many things start to change. For example, you start to receive warmer welcomes every time you walk through the front door.
So you’ve decided to adopt a pet? Fantastic!
Browsing through hundreds of photos of adorable puppies and kittens can certainly tug several heartstrings. At such a point, it’s easy to make a rash decision just because of a friendly furry face of a cute kitten or puppy, especially when you are receiving constant pressure from a pet-loving spouse or child. The decision to adopt a pet will greatly impact your life, and as a result, it should not be taken lightly since the pet will be a member of your family and part of your daily routines for years to come.
This will be a huge long-term decision, and like with any other long-term decision, you should take your time and make sure that you have that about what you want and the impact this decision will have in your life.
Don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it sounds. You will have to go through several steps to make sure that you are getting a pet that you are more compatible with. Your first step shall begin with choosing a shelter to adopt from.
How to choose a Shelter.
The easiest way to find a pet to adopt is by going to your local shelter. You are likely to find several adoption centers within your area if you conduct some research on the internet, depending on your location. However, despite it being the easiest way, it does not mean that that local shelter in your neighborhood is the perfect place to adopt from. There are other things that you should consider.
For example, if you know someone who recently adopted a pet, it could be a friend or even a neighbor, and they seem not to stop talking about how much joy their new pet has brought into their home, you can always reach out to them and get to know the adoption center they managed to get their puppy from, and in the process, you will get to know how to go about the whole process.
However, you should always keep in mind that finding the perfect lifelong pet companion is not easy, just as it is not easy finding the perfect lifelong partner. And it will definitely take some time to match you with the right pet. If you get to find a good adoption center, there will be someone who will interview to get a clear view of what you are looking for. If that specific shelter doesn’t have a dream cat or dream dog at the moment, it doesn’t mean that other shelters don’t have one. You can always try out several shelters until you find your perfect match.
And with the current advancement in technology, you can get to do all that at the comfort of your home since all these services are available online. Make sure you get it right the first time since one of the cruelest things you can ever do is returnin a pet back to the shelter after taking it home with you.
The Application Process.
After finding the perfect pet companion for you and you’re family, you will have to go through an application process. Don’t be offended when in the application process you are asked personal questions on your application form. The adoption center just wants to know whether the animal is going to a good home with a conducive environment for a pet.
When you are asked about the living conditions that you are going to provide the pet with, don’t take it as an insult, it’s just that the shelter cares about their animals and the new homes they are going to be living in.
You should be prepared to be asked questions such as:
- Do you own your home, and if not, is your landlord or landlady okay with you having pets within their premises?
- What’s your Income and can you afford to take your pet for vet visits and provide them with the necessary diet?
- Where do you live?
- Will the pet sleep indoors or outdoors?
- Who lives with you? Your family, and do you have any other pets.
- How long will the animal be on its own each day, when everyone is either at work or at school?
Don’t be offended when some of the questions seem really personal. I certain occasion the shelter may decide to visit your home just to verify whether all the information you have provided is correct.
Finally when you are able to adopt don’t be impatient, Give the new member of your family sometime to fit in, most adoption that don’t work out are mainly because the adopters had unrealistic expectations, just know that animals are just like kids you need to be patient with them.
