So, you’ve decided to adopt a furry new baby into your family. That’s wonderful. Whichever cat or dog you choose will be grateful that your heart was open to bringing them into your home and surrounding them with the love they’ve longed to receive. They have so much love to give in return, after all. Adopting a new four-legged friend will enrich both of your lives in many wonderful ways. All you have to do is choose the animal you know was meant for you.
There are many ways to go about this, but the best by far is to adopt from an animal shelter. There you will find dozens of sweet dogs and cats who have ended up there through no fault of their own, and who would love to go home with you. If you’ve decided the animal shelter is how you want to find your new family member, here are the basics of shelter adoption.
1. Look online. There are a lot of websites out there that show you animals all over the country that are available for adoption from the nation’s shelters. The Shelter Pet Project is one. Pets.com is another. There are many more. You will often find photos and case histories of the animals on the websites. You may just find the perfect match for your family on your computer screen.
2. Visit your local shelters. If you don’t see an animal that seems perfect for you online, go look in person. Shelters receive new animals every day, and you never know when just looking into the eyes of a dog or cat in person will make you certain you’ve found “the one.” If you don’t see the perfect pet for you right away, keep looking online and visiting local shelters until you do. The pet that is meant for you will show up in no time.
3. Contact the shelter if you’ve found your pet online to make sure the animal is still available. If it is, make an appointment to go there and complete the adoption. If you’ve found your pet in person, start the adoption right there.
4. Fill out the appropriate paperwork each shelter requires to make sure you’re a good match for the pet. It works both ways, you know.
5. If the shelter determines you and your new furry bundle of joy are right for each other (and chances are they will), pay the shelter’s adoption fee and take your newest family member home. You’ll never regret it….and neither will your pet.