Adopting a Dog from a Shelter? (What You Should Know)

You'd like to adopt a dog from a shelter? But what should you consider? How much does it cost? We'll cover all of this and more in this article. As a bonus, we've prepared a checklist further below. So you can be on the safe side!

Looking for a dog? Then you can do something meaningful to help animals in need! Every day, we are confronted with heartbreaking images on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms. They show abandoned or neglected animals. Many of them end up in shelters... What initially looks like a temporary rescue quickly turns into lifelong confinement. The animals become lonely in overcrowded shelters.

Is Adopting a Shelter Dog Right for Me?

Getting a pet always comes with great responsibility. That is why you should think carefully about whether you want to take on this responsibility. What are the most important requirements for adopting a dog?

Does your living situation allow you to keep a dog? In many rental properties, dogs are not permitted or not welcome. Shelters look for adopters who can provide stable living conditions. This includes a safe home where the dog feels comfortable. If you rent, you may need to prove that pets are allowed.

Suitable environment -- How much space can you offer your new companion? Another important aspect is the environment in which the dog will live. In addition to plenty of exercise, the size of your home also matters. Shelters check whether the adopter's living situation and lifestyle match the needs of the dog. Some dogs, for example, need a lot of exercise or special care.

Time and dedication -- Are you home a lot or out all day? Dogs love the company of their people and don't like being alone. A dog needs time, attention, and care. Shelters want to make sure that potential adopters are willing to take care of the dog long-term. This includes daily walks, play time, and training sessions.

Financial security -- Caring for a dog involves financial obligations. You should be aware that a dog brings ongoing costs. These include food, vet visits, vaccinations, and potential emergencies. Buying supplies and toys also costs money. Shelters expect adopters to be financially capable of covering these costs.

Knowledge and experience -- Basic knowledge of dog care and behaviour is an advantage. Some shelters offer advice and information materials to give adopters the knowledge they need. Experience with dogs can also be helpful, especially with breeds that have special needs.

Willingness to cooperate -- Shelters generally conduct initial interviews, home visits, and follow-up checks to ensure the dog finds a loving and safe home. Potential adopters should be open to this process and willing to work with the shelter.

Do you already have other pets? For harmonious cohabitation, you need to make the right choice.

It is important that all family members agree with getting a dog. Having a dog is a long-term commitment.

What to Watch Out for to Avoid Animal Suffering

You also have the option of buying a dog from a breeder, a pet shop, or through online forums.

If you decide on a breeder, make sure it is a reputable one that you can also visit on-site to take a closer look at their facilities. A dedicated breeder will also ask you many questions about your living situation. They want to be sure that their puppy will be in good hands. You should stay away from breeders or dealers operating under poor conditions, particularly from regions known for puppy mills. The animals are often bred under cruel conditions and are frequently ill. These breeders are not primarily concerned with the dog's welfare or with placing a healthy animal.

They also don't particularly care who the future owner of the dog will be or under what conditions the dog will live in its new home, as long as the money is right. Many of these animals are smuggled across borders under terrible conditions. Always remember: By buying a dog, another dog in a shelter has to go without a new home and a loving family!

Why Are Shelters So Overcrowded?

Shelters around the world are overcrowded and continue to fill up. Hundreds of thousands of dogs end up in shelters each year, and many stay for the rest of their lives.

There are various reasons for this unfortunate situation:

• Impulsive and unconsidered purchases
• Dogs as gifts (particularly after the holidays, the number of surrendered animals rises dramatically)
• Holidays (yes -- for a few days of vacation, dogs are abandoned to shelters for life)
• High costs
• Changes in living or life situations
• Pet allergies, other illnesses, or the death of the owner
• Rescue from abroad

Benefits of Adopting from a Shelter

But why should you choose a shelter dog? Adopting from a shelter has benefits for everyone involved. You have the opportunity to do something truly good. Every animal deserves a loving home with caring people. You can give a four-legged friend a second chance.

Companionship and Lots of Love

Dogs need companionship and lots of love. Even though they are fed and cared for in the shelter, they do not get the attention they need. They lack their own family or a loving owner.

Even though shelter staff do their best to care for the animals, they simply don't have enough time. With such a large number of animals, they cannot attend to every individual need. As a result, the dogs are often lonely and bored. You can help by opening the loving door to a new home for one of these dogs.

Against Animal Suffering

Adopting from a shelter also has great benefits for you. You can actively do something against animal suffering and give a lonely dog a new home. Your new companion will show you gratitude like few other animals can.

The animals often don't understand why they can no longer return to their old family and suffer all the more. Despite this pain, you can quickly earn their trust. You can get to know your new companion at your own pace before making your decision. This way, you can check whether the chemistry is right. If you are a good match and get along well, only the formalities remain to be sorted out. Once you have rescued a dog, a new spot opens up for another animal in need. By adopting, you can help even more animals. The adoption fee only covers the vet and food costs of the adopted animal. Nobody profits from it.

How Much Does a Shelter Dog Cost?

Only an adoption fee of approximately 200-500 USD/EUR applies. So the financial aspect is also an advantage. With a breeder, you would pay many times more. In return, you get a dog that has been examined by a vet, vaccinated, and dewormed. As a rule, the animals in shelters are healthy and lively. Male dogs are usually already neutered. You can save yourself these vet costs.

But What Is an Adoption Fee?

The adoption fee is an amount that shelters charge when adopting an animal. It does not serve as a purchase price for the animal but is meant to ensure that potential adopters are seriously interested in adoption and have the financial means to care for an animal. At the same time, the fee helps the shelter cover part of the costs of caring for the animals.

How Much Is the Fee?

The amount of the adoption fee can vary and depends on various factors, such as the shelter, the type of animal, and sometimes the age or breed of the animal. On average, you can expect an adoption fee of around 200 to 500 USD/EUR for dogs. However, it is important to ask the shelter directly, as fees can vary.

What Does It Cover?

The adoption fee helps the shelter cover part of the costs of caring for the animals. These include:

• Medical care: Vaccinations, deworming, spaying or neutering, and other medical treatments to keep the animal healthy or treat health problems.
• Food and housing: Costs for food, care, and housing of the animals in the shelter.
• Administrative costs: Part of the fee goes towards covering the administrative costs of running a shelter.

Why Are Adoption Fees Important?

The adoption fee ensures that the adoption is genuine and that the new owners are ready and able to take on the responsibility for the animal. It also helps prevent impulse purchases and ensures that the animals go to a loving and caring home. At the same time, it supports the shelter financially so that it can continue helping animals in need.

The adoption fee when adopting an animal from a shelter is an important part of the adoption process. It does not reflect the value of the animal but serves as a contribution to the costs incurred for the animal's care and as security for the animal's future. By deciding to give a shelter animal a home, you not only support the valuable work of the shelter but also gain a loyal friend for life.

Steps and Requirements of an Adoption

You have a wide selection of shelters to choose from. International animal rescue organisations also offer an interesting alternative, so you are not limited to the shelter nearest to you.

Shelters and rescue organisations have clear websites. Here you can view the dogs in advance. If your dream dog is there, you should first call the shelter and arrange a visit. You can of course also ask on-site for a dog that suits you. The shelter staff know their animals very well and can be very helpful in the selection process.

A common misconception is that animals from shelters are troubled and difficult. Your first visit to a shelter will quickly convince you otherwise. Dogs with the most diverse personalities are waiting for a new home. Four-legged friends of all breeds, age groups, and temperaments are represented.

The Adoption Process

Before you can take your new four-legged friend home, there are still some steps to complete: Many shelters first conduct a consultation with potential adopters. This covers the dog's needs, the adopter's life circumstances, and general information about pet ownership. An initial conversation with the shelter staff serves as a first assessment. You will need to provide detailed information about your living, family, and work situation.

This self-disclosure helps the shelter staff find the right dog for you. Not every dog that catches your eye at first glance is also ideal for your life situation. Once the choice is made, there is nothing stopping a meet-and-greet. You have the opportunity to spend time with the dog and see if the chemistry is right. For dogs, going for walks together is a great way to do this.

If the chemistry is right, a home check by shelter staff takes place. They make sure the environment is suitable for the dog. They visit your home and verify that your information is accurate. If everything checks out, an adoption contract is drawn up that sets out the rights and obligations of the adopter. An adoption fee is also typically agreed upon. Sometimes shelters reserve the right to conduct a follow-up check after a few weeks or months to see how the dog is doing in its new home.

Why Not an Immediate Adoption?

• The animal's welfare: The process is designed to find the best possible match between dog and adopter. An immediate adoption would not allow enough time for careful evaluation and decision-making.
• Responsible adoption: Shelters want to ensure that adopters are not making their decision on a whim and are truly ready to welcome an animal into their family.
• Health checks: Often, final health checks or treatments (such as vaccinations or spaying/neutering) still need to be completed before the dog can move to its new home.

Adopting a dog from a shelter is a serious commitment that requires thorough preparation and consideration. Although the excitement is great, an immediate adoption is not possible for the reasons mentioned above. Through a structured adoption process, shelters help ensure that the animals find a caring and suitable home. Patience and understanding during the adoption process are the first step towards a long and happy relationship with your new four-legged family member.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you with your decision! You now have plenty of information and reasons for adoption. Feel free to check out the shelter adoption checklist below -- it will help you make the right decision for you and your future companion.

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