Pet Adoption is an excellent way to bring a new furry family member into your life. Many shelters and rescue groups have healthy, loving pets waiting for their forever homes. They have a great selection of dogs and cats, but they also often have rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small mammals. They will examine and vaccinate the animal, spay or neuter them (if needed), and provide a number of other medical services before they are available for adoption. Many also conduct a detailed behavioral assessment to determine whether an animal will be compatible with your household.
The majority of pets in shelters are not strays; they have been surrendered by owners for various reasons. These include divorce, moving, lack of time to care for the pet, and financial constraints. Shelters are committed to finding loving homes for all of the animals that come into their care.
Adopters must agree to take the pet home for its entire life and be responsible for its well-being. This includes food, water, housing, veterinary care, grooming, exercise, and play. Most shelters require an initial visit to the veterinarian for a complete physical exam and any necessary vaccinations. Adopters may also be required to sign an agreement stating that they understand that the animal is their responsibility for life and must be returned to the shelter if the adopter can no longer care for it.
Once you have found the perfect pet, it’s important to introduce it to your home slowly. Be patient, and be sure to give lots of positive reinforcement. Many pets, especially younger ones, will need some re-training to adapt to their new routine and surroundings. You can use clicker training, obedience classes, or playtime with other family members to teach your pet proper behavior and establish a strong bond.
Most importantly, make sure that all family members, including any current pets, will get along with your potential new family member. That’s why most shelters and rescues require a meet-and-greet before adoption. This is a good opportunity for everyone in the family to get acquainted with a possible new addition and ask any questions that they might have.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in adopting a dog or cat has increased worldwide. This is likely due to the desire of people to add a new member to their families and increase the love and companionship they receive from their existing pets. During this difficult time, people are also reminded that there are other sources of dogs and cats beyond their own backyards, such as municipal animal shelters or local humane societies. This increase in demand can result in overcrowding, which could lead to the euthanasia of healthy animals that are not adopted.