Adopting From an Animal Shelter or Rescue Group

[partially adapted from The Humane Society of the United States]

Animal shelters and rescue groups have a great selection of adult animals for adoption, and many of them also have kittens, puppies and purebred animals. On average, purebreds account for about 25 to 30 percent of a shelter's dog population.

Did you know?

Many pets at your local shelter are waiting for new homes because they were obtained by people with unrealistic expectations of the time, effort, and money required to sustain a lifelong relationship with their pet. National figures indicate that about half of the animals in shelters are euthanized for lack of good homes. Animals at your local shelter are just waiting for someone like you to give them a new home.

You can depend on responsible shelters and groups to assess the animals' health and temperament in order to make the best adoption matches possible. When animals are relinquished by owners, the shelter staff makes every attempt to collect a thorough history of that pet, when possible. Then, while caring for animals, staff and volunteers try to learn as much as they can about these animals, as well as those who come to the shelter as strays.

Waiting for just the right one

Don't be discouraged if, when you first visit a shelter, there are no animals of the breed or mix that you want. Shelters receive new animals every day. Your shelter may also have a waiting list and can call you when an animal matching your preference becomes available. Before choosing your pet, you can even speak with an adoption counselor about whether your choice of a particular type or breed will be best for you.

Shelter advantages

In an effort to make good matches between people and animals and to place pets in lifelong homes, many shelters provide adoption counseling and follow-up assistance, such as pet parenting and dog-training classes, medical services, and behavior counseling or they may be able to refer you to providers of these services.

Another advantage to shelter adoptions is that the fees are usually much less than the purchase price of an animal from a pet store or breeder. And your new pet is more likely to be vaccinated, de-wormed, and spayed or neutered.

Find a friend

To locate your local animal shelter, check the Yellow Pages under "animal shelter," "animal control," or "humane society." Or go online—many shelters have websites that feature animals available for adoption. Some sites even allow you to download adoption forms and plan ahead by providing tips on responsible pet care. In addition, many shelters promote their animals for adoption on national websites such as www.petfinder.com.

Rescue groups

Purebred rescue groups are usually run by people with in-depth knowledge of a specific breed, but don't rule out mixed breeds.  Some may call them "mutts", but you can often find some of the best qualities of several different breeds in one.  Rescue groups keep adoptable animals until they can be placed in loving, permanent homes. These animals may come from failed breeding operations; arrive from boarding kennels and veterinarians, where they were abandoned; be rescued as strays living on the streets; or be obtained through the cooperation of local animal shelters. Adoption fees vary, depending on veterinary and other costs that have been incurred. Follow-up counseling is usually available.

To locate a rescue group that specializes in the breed of dog or cat that interests you, contact your local animal shelter, check the classifieds section of the newspaper, or search the Internet.

When you contact a rescue group, be sure to find out as much as you can about the group, how it cares for its animals, how it decides which animals are adoptable, and what other adoption and post-adoption services are available.

If you can't adopt a dog or cat, consider fostering. Most rescue groups and many shelters need foster homes for their dogs and cats, so they can free up space to take in additional animals. 

Ruffus Rescue is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We rescue dogs from all over north Georgia, focusing primarily on rural area shelters where adoption rates are very low and far too many healthy, loving animals are euthanized simply for lack of space to house them.  For more information on our adoptable dogs, go to www.ruffusrescue.org or call 404-321-1274.