PET ADOPTION CHECKLIST & INFORMATION!

Adopting a pet comes with numerous advantages including, but not limited to:

• You’re saving a life. Millions of healthy, adoptable pets are euthanized every year simply for a lack of a home.
• When you adopt your pet from a shelter or rescue group, you’re giving another a spot for a second chance.
• Many adoptable pets are already trained.
• When you adopt an older pet, you will often get a sense of their personality and temperament. You also already know their full grown size!
• An adoption fee can save you money! Adoption fees include vaccinations, spay/neutering, microchips, and other veterinary costs to help prepare the pet for a new home.

There are all different breeds and species of pets waiting for their forever homes. Did you know…

• 25% of adoptable pets are purebreds.
• There are many puppies and kittens available for adoption.
• You can also adopt birds, horses, rabbits, and a variety of other small and furry pets.
• Most adoptable pets are happy, healthy, house-trained, high quality pets.

We encourage you to read more about other adoption myths at PetFinder.

As you begin your search for a new family member, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Most importantly, you need to think through what will be a good fit for both your family and the pet. Thinking through the lifestyle and needs of both your family and your future pet will help ensure you find the right companion.

Here are some important considerations to help you and your family identity some of the qualities you would like in a new companion animal:

• Activity Level – It’s important to consider the energy level of your future pet to ensure it matches that of your family.
• Household Type – The amount of space in your home is an important factor in determining the right adoptable pet for you — a large home or a studio apartment affects the type of pet that makes sense for your current situation. Additional considerations are things like yard space — are you living in the suburbs or the city, do you have access to outside space, etc.
• Family Dynamic – If you live in a hectic, loud home with kids running around, that should be considered. Or, if you have other pets, you will want to ensure your new companion will get along with everyone already living in your home.
• How much time do you have to spend with a pet – We also encourage you think about whether you’d like a pet that both gives and needs a lot of attention, or would you prefer a pet that is more independent?
• Training – Many adoptable pets are already trained, but you should certainly consider the amount of training you want to do to determine both the type and age of your new companion pet.

There are many more possible considerations — gender, allergies, etc. — so the best way to help ensure your family makes the best decision is to consult an adoption counselor at your local shelter or rescue. They will be able to help you narrow in on selecting a pet that will match your lifestyle, while also ensuring your lifestyle matches the needs of the pet.

Good luck in your search!

• Do you have any other dogs and how will they react to a new pet?
• Is your current residence suited to the dog you’re considering?
• How will your social life or work obligations affect your ability to care for a dog?
• Do you have a plan for your new dog during vacations and/or work travel?
• How do the people you live with feel about having a dog in the house?
• Are you (or your spouse, partner or roommate) intolerant of hair, dirt and other realities of sharing your home with a dog, such as allergies?
• Do you or any of your household/family members have health issues that may be affected by a dog?
• What breed of dog is the best fit with your current lifestyle? (You can find information on specific breeds in PetFinder’s dog breed directory.)
• Is there tension in the home? Dogs quickly pick up on stress in the home, and it can exacerbate their health and behavior problems.
• Is there an adult in the family who has agreed to be ultimately responsible for the dog’s care?
• All are household companion animals currently up to date on vaccinations and spayed/neutered?

• What do you expect your dog to contribute to your life? For example, do you want a running and hiking buddy, or is your idea of exercise watching it on TV?
• If you are thinking of adopting a young dog, do you have the time and patience to work with the dog through its adolescence, taking house-breaking, chewing and energy-level into account? (Find more information on raising young dogs in PetFinder’s Puppy Guide.)
• Have you considered your lifestyle carefully and determined whether a younger or older dog would be a better match for you?
• Can you train and handle a dog with behavior issues or are you looking for an easy-going friend?
• Do you need a dog who will be reliable with children or one you can take with you when you travel?
• Do you want a dog who follows you all around the house or would you prefer a less clingy, more independent character?

• What size dog can your home accommodate?
• Will you have enough room if your dog grows to be bigger than expected?
• What size dog would suit the other people who live in or visit your home regularly?
• Do you have another dog to consider when choosing the size of your next dog?
• How big of a dog can you travel comfortably with?

• Dogs need to be fed two to three times a day, more often in the case of puppies, and need a constant supply of fresh water.
• A responsible dog parent should spend at least one hour per day giving direct attention to his or her dog. This may include training, exercising, grooming, and playing or, with cats, it may just be lap time on the couch. Dogs will need to be taken out to potty several times a day.
• A dog with an abundance of energy needs more time to exercise and interactive toys to keep them entertained.
• Dogs with long coats may need 20 minutes a day of grooming to prevent matting.
• Dogs with certain medical conditions may need additional attention, including specifically timed injections in the case of diabetic animals.
• Remember that adopted dogs may need additional bonding and reassurance time in the early weeks.

It may be a good idea to wait until you select your new dog before you begin shopping for supplies. For example, some items, such as food and water bowls or collars and harnesses, depend upon the size of the dog you will be adopting. Also, be sure to find out which food your dog was eating in the shelter or foster home so that you can provide the same in the beginning, again to ease the transition. After the dog has settled in, talk with your veterinarian about switching to the food of your choice. Once you’ve selected your dog, here’s a checklist of supplies you may need:

Necessary Items for Dogs:

• Food and water bowls
• Food (canned and/or dry)
• Collar
• Four to six-foot leash
• ID tag with your phone number
• Hard plastic carrier or foldable metal crate
• Dog bed
• Doggy shampoo and conditioner
• Nail clippers
• Canine toothbrush and toothpaste
• Brush or comb (depends on your dog’s coat length and type)
• Super-absorbent paper towels
• Sponge and scrub brush
• Non-toxic cleanser
• Enzymatic odor neutralizer
• Plastic poop baggies (biodegradable ones are best) or pooper scooper
• Absorbent house-training pads
• Variety of toys (a ball, rope, chew toy and puzzle toy are good starts)
• Variety of treats (such as small biscuits, larger rawhides, etc.)
• First-aid supplies
• Baby gate(s)

Unexpected costs: Accidents and illness can result in costly emergency veterinary care. Recovery tools for finding a missing dog can include posters and rewards. A dog with special physical or behavioral challenges may require specialized professional support to overcome any obstacles these issues present. For more on typical dog care costs visit Annual Dog Care Costs by PetFinder. A rescue/shelter will charge an adoption fee. The adoption fee you pay will be a tiny fraction of the money you will spend over the life of your dog. Most of these expenses are mandatory for all dogs:

• Food
• Routine veterinary care
• Licensing according to local regulations
• Collars, leashes and identification tags
• Basic grooming equipment and supplies
• Training classes
• Additional grooming supplies or professional grooming (depending on your new dog’s needs)
• A spare collar or leash
• A bed and toys
• A crate or carrier