Finding Love in All the Right Places

Adopting from a Shelter or Rescue

Don’t Buy While So Many Die

Top 10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter/Rescue Animal

What to Expect

What If the Shelter/Rescue Isn’t Caring for Its Animals

Take Action

Don’t Buy While So Many Die                                                  Back to Top

Too many healthy, adoptable animals are euthanized in our nation’s shelters every year while puppy mills and backyard breeders continue to crank out huge numbers of animals. Instead of supporting inhumane practices of people interested in making money from these living, breathing, sentient beings, support your local animal control, humane society, SPCA, or unsheltered rescue group.

Animal sheltering has a long history in the United States. Henry Bergh, an aristocrat and son of an American shipbuilder, opened the first shelter in April 1866 in New York City. Shortly thereafter, the first anti-animal cruelty law was approved by the New York State legislature, focusing primarily on preventing cruelty to farm and work animals, most notably horses. Since then hundreds of humane societies, SPCAs, and other types of animal rescue organizations have sprung up. All operate independently of each other and of national organizations. There is no one body that licenses or regulates these shelters. Local authorities in some cases operate shelters; but in many instances, these shelters and rescue groups are owned and operated by charitable organizations with no affiliation or connection with each other. Therefore, there are no uniform standards of care or operation.

Top 10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter/Rescue Animal                 Back to Top

You can make a difference for at least one animal if you contact your local animal shelter, animal control, or rescue groups in your area. The following are just a few of the many good reasons to adopt a shelter or rescue animal:

1. Your new pet will love you regardless of all other outside factors. Where else can you find that kind of devotion and unconditional love?
2. Most shelters provide necessary shots and spaying/neutering before the animal goes home with you. Spaying/neutering helps to end the tremendous pet overpopulation problem, is healthier for your animal, and saves you time and money.
3. Purebreds can be found at a shelter. Experts say approximately 10-12 percent of animals in shelters are purebreds. So, if you have your heart set upon a certain breed, try checking with your shelter. Most will keep you on a waiting list if they do not have what you are looking for.
4. There are puppies and kittens at the shelter as well as older animals. Whatever age you are looking for, you can find the right animal at the shelter.
5. You will be an example to others, and they may become inspired to visit a shelter.
6. Instant companionship is yours when you adopt from a shelter. You immediately have a devoted friend for life.
7. Adoption staff work with you to make that perfect match. They will try to make sure you are choosing the pet who will make both family and animal happy with each other.
8. When you adopt an older dog or cat from the shelter, you already know how big the animal is, what his or her temperament is, how active he or she is, and how well trained he or she is.
9. Many dogs and cats waiting adoption at shelters are already housebroken. With most family members gone during the work day for eight hours or more, house training is certainly an important consideration.
10. Each hour, every day, over 3,000 dogs and cats are born in the United States. Most of these animals are unwanted and many end up in shelters. You can save a life by adopting a cat or dog from your local shelter.

What to Expect                                                                         Back to Top

If you have never visited a shelter or rescue group adoption show, you may not know what to expect. Just as there are no uniform standards of care, there are no uniform standards of how adoptions are handled. Many organizations require prospective adopters to fill out an application with basic information; some with detailed information especially on prior animal ownership.  Some organizations require home visits; others do not. Some will contact your landlord to make sure you can have an animal in your home; others will not. All organizations typically require an adoption fee, which can be as little as $30 to over $200, depending on the animal you have selected. Some animals will be completely vetted and groomed at the time of adoption; others may have had only cursory care. Most adoption organizations ask you to return the animal to them if you are no longer able to care for the animal.

The more you research rescue groups and shelters prior to contacting them about adopting a particular animal, the more prepared you will be for the experience. You will also be more prepared to adopt the right animal for you.

Be careful of falling in love with the first set of eyes you see. Knowing as much about the background and characteristics of the type of animal you are considering adopting goes a long way in making a forever match. For example, if you are an athletic person who walks or jogs regularly, a Jack Russell Terrier might be a wise choice as the breed requires a great deal of exercise. A Great Dane, on the other hand, might be content to just laze around on your couch. 

Size, age, and physical condition of the animal you select will also determine whether you will be able to maintain the animal in your home successfully. A cat who is young and rambunctious might do well with another animal for play. An older animal might be just as happy with peace and quiet. Understanding who you are and what your needs are before you look seriously for an animal will help you select the right companion for you and will help those in shelters and rescue groups direct you toward the animals in their care who would fit best with your life.

What If I Find the Shelter/Rescue Isn’t Caring for Its Animals   Back to Top

All rescue groups and shelters should follow minimum local, state, and federal standards of care.  If you believe standards of animal care are not being met, please consider contacting some or all of the below to effect positive change at your local animal shelter or with local animal rescue groups.

• The Animal Shelter/Rescue Board of Directors: contact the board with an initial letter voicing concerns regarding the shelter/rescue. Follow with telephone calls and request to attend a board meeting; if necessary, provide factual information to illustrate concerns.

• City/County Board of Supervisors: important contact to make, as this group most often provides funding to county/city shelters.

• Local humane society, SPCA, and other rescue groups: network to find possible investigative departments or other resources to effect positive change

• Local Newspaper/Nearest Major City Newspaper: bring the shelter/rescue issues to the public’s attention. There may be a reporter with interests in animal-related stories. 

• Law Enforcement/Prosecuting Attorney/Judge: contact sheriff, police department, constable, etc., to report suspicions of neglect/cruelty and to advocate for enforcement of local and state animal protection laws.

• Town Officials/Mayor/State Senators/Representatives: contact political figures to help bring animal protection issues to the public's attention and enact/revise related laws.

• State Veterinarians/Dept. of Agriculture: contact regarding issues for pet stores and breeding operations, rescues/shelters, circuses, zoos, farms, etc.

Take Action to Save Lives

What can you do to protect companion animals who wind up in shelters and rescue organizations? First, make a lifetime commitment to your current companion animal. Work with your vet, animal behaviorists, trainers, and others knowledgeable about animal behavior and care to ensure your animal has a home for his or her full life span. Other humane actions include:

• Volunteer with local animal shelters or rescue groups to help them find homes for the homeless.
• Support nonprofit shelters and rescue groups with financial donations to continue their all important work in saving the lives of homeless animals.
• Educate neighbors, friends, and family on the value of supporting local animal shelters and rescue groups by adopting their next companion animal from one of them rather than buying from a puppy store or off the Internet.

December 2010                                                                                 Back to Top