Adopt a Dog From a Shelter? (This Is What You Should Consider)
- Claudia Weise
- Updated: 2024-02-21
Want to adopt a dog from the shelter? But what should I consider when buying? What are the costs? We'll show you that and more in this article. As a bonus, we have prepared a checklist in PDF format for you below. Just to be on the safe side!
Looking for a dog? Now you can do something about animal suffering and torture!
Every day we are confronted with horrific images on Instagram, Facebook and the like. They show abandoned or neglected animals. Many of them end up in shelters... What looks like a temporary rescue quickly turns into a lifetime of captivity. The animals become lonely in overcrowded shelters.
Adopt a Dog From a Shelter, Is It Right for Me?
Getting a pet is a big responsibility. That's why you should think carefully about whether you want to take on this responsibility. What are the main requirements for adopting a dog?
Does your living situation allow you to have a dog? In many apartments, dogs are not allowed or not wanted by the landlord. Animal shelters look for adopters who can provide stable living conditions. This includes a safe home where the dog is comfortable. If you are renting, you may have to prove that pets are allowed.
Suitable environment - How much space can you offer your new roommate? Another important consideration is the environment in which the dog will live. In addition to plenty of exercise, the size of the home is also important. Shelters check to see if the adopter's home and lifestyle will meet the dog's needs. For example, some dogs need a lot of exercise or special care.
Time and Commitment - Do you spend a lot of time at home or on the road? Dogs love the company of their humans and don't like to be alone. Dogs need time, attention and care. Shelters want to make sure that potential adopters are prepared to make a long-term commitment to the dog. This includes daily walks, playtime and training sessions.
Financial security - Caring for a dog comes with financial obligations. You should be aware that a dog has ongoing costs. These include the cost of food, vet visits, dog license fees, vaccinations, and emergencies. Accessories and toys also cost money. Shelters expect adopters to be financially able to cover these costs.
Knowledge and experience - Basic knowledge of dog care and behavior is a plus. Some shelters offer counseling and educational materials to help adopters become more knowledgeable. Experience working with dogs can also be helpful, especially with special breeds with special needs.
Willingness to cooperate - Shelters typically conduct preliminary interviews, home visits, and follow-up visits to ensure that 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 a harmonious coexistence you need to make the right choice.
It is important that all family members agree on the purchase of a dog. You are entering into a long-term relationship with your four-legged friend.
Breeders, Pet Stores and Internet Forums
Of course, you can also buy a dog from a breeder, a pet store, or through Internet forums.
If you decide to get a breeding dog, make sure it is from a reputable breeder who you can visit often to see the breeding facility. A passionate breeder will also ask you a lot of questions about your living conditions. After all, they want to be sure that their puppy will be in good hands in the future.
You should stay away from breeders or dealers from foreign countries like Romania, Poland, etc. The animals are bred under torturous conditions and are often sick. The breeders are not primarily concerned with the welfare of the dog or the sale of a healthy animal.
They don't care who the future owner of the dog will be or what conditions the dog will live in as long as the money is right. Many of these animals are smuggled into Germany under appalling conditions.
Always remember: When you buy a dog, another dog at the shelter is denied a new home and a loving family!
Why Are Animal Shelters So Overcrowded?
Animal shelters in Germany are overcrowded and getting fuller. There are about 550 animal shelters in Germany. More than 100,000 dogs end up there every year and usually stay for the rest of their lives.
There are several reasons for this unattractive situation:
- Spontaneous and impulse purchases
- Dogs as gifts (the number of animals given as gifts increases dramatically, especially after Christmas)
- Vacation (yes - for a few days of vacation, dogs are sent to the shelter for life)
- High cost
- Change in housing or living situation
- Animal hair allergy, other illness or death of the owner
- Rescue from abroad
Reasons for Adopting a Shelter
But why would you choose a shelter dog?
Adopting from a shelter is a win-win situation for everyone involved. You have the opportunity to do something truly good. Every animal deserves a loving home with loving people. You can give a four-legged friend a second chance.
Benefits for the Dog
Dogs need companionship and lots of love. Even when they are cared for at the shelter, they don't get the attention they need. They lack a family of their own or a loving owner.
While the shelter staff cares for the animals as best they can, they simply don't have the time. With the large number of animals, they cannot meet all of their individual needs.
These dogs are often lonely and bored. You can help by opening the loving door to a new home for one of these dogs.
Benefits for You
Adopting a shelter also has great benefits for you. You can take an active role in reducing animal suffering and give a lonely dog a new home. Your new housemate will show you gratitude like no other animal.
The animals often don't understand why they can't go back to their old family and suffer even more. Despite this pain, you can quickly gain their trust.
You can get to know your new pet before you make a decision. This will help you determine if the chemistry is right. If you are a good match, you just need to work out the details.
Benefits for the Shelter
Once you have rescued a dog, a new space becomes available for an animal in need. By adopting an animal, you can help even more animals. The adoption fee covers only the medical and food costs of the adopted animal. No one gets rich.
How Much Does a Shelter Dog Cost?
There is only a nominal fee of about $200 - $500 Euros. Another advantage is financial. With a breeder you would pay many times more. In return, you get a vet-checked, vaccinated and wormed dog. The animals in the shelters are usually healthy and lively. Male dogs are usually already neutered. This will save you the vet fees.
But What Is a Nominal Fee?
The adoption fee is an amount that shelters charge when an animal is adopted. It is not the purchase price of the animal, but is used to ensure that potential adopters are serious about adopting an animal and have the financial means to care for it. At the same time, the fee helps the shelter cover some of the costs of caring for the animals.
What Is the Fee?
The amount of the protection fee can vary and depends on several factors, such as the shelter, the type of animal, and sometimes the age or breed of the animal. On average, you can expect to pay between €200 and €500. However, it is important to check directly with the shelter as fees can vary.
What Is It For?
The nominal fee helps the shelter cover some of the costs of caring for the animals. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Medical care: Vaccinations, deworming, spaying or neutering, and other medical treatments to keep the animal healthy or to treat health problems.
- Food and lodging: The cost of food, care, and shelter for the animals at the shelter.
- Administrative costs: A portion of the fees are used to cover the administrative costs of running a shelter.
Why Are Protection Fees Important?
The adoption fee ensures that the adoption is serious and that the new owners are willing and able to take responsibility for the animal. It also helps prevent impulse purchases and ensures that the animals go to loving and caring homes. At the same time, it supports the shelter financially so it can continue to help animals in need.
The protection 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 cost of the animal's care and as security for the animal's future. By choosing to adopt an animal from the shelter, you not only support the valuable work of the shelter, but you also gain a loyal friend for life.
How Do I Adopt a Dog From the Shelter?
You have a wide choice of animal shelters throughout Germany. Also the Animal welfare abroad offers you an interesting alternative. So you're not just tied to your local animal shelter.
The shelters and foreign animal welfare organizations have clear homepages. Here you can take a look at the dogs in advance. When you find the dog of your dreams, you should call the shelter first and make an appointment to meet the dog.
Of course, you can also come to the shelter and ask for a dog that fits your needs. The shelter staff knows their charges very well and can help you make the right choice.
A big preconception is that shelter animals are troubled and difficult. Your first visit to the shelter will convince you otherwise. Dogs with all kinds of characteristics are waiting for a new home. Pets of all breeds, ages and personalities are represented.
The Adoption Process
Before you can take your new pet home, there are a few steps you need to take:
Many shelters begin by interviewing potential adopters. The interview covers the dog's needs, the adopter's lifestyle, and general information about pet ownership. An initial interview with the shelter staff serves as an initial assessment. You will need to provide detailed information about your living, family, and work situations.
This information will help the shelter staff find the right dog for you. Not every dog you like at first glance will be ideal for your situation.
Once the choice is made, there is nothing to stop you from getting to know him. You have the opportunity to spend time with him and see if the chemistry is right. With dogs, walks are ideal for this.
If the chemistry is right, a pre-screening is done by humane society staff. They will make sure that the environment is suitable for the dog. They will visit your home and verify that your information is correct.
If everything is right, an adoption contract is drawn up, outlining the rights and responsibilities of the adopters. A nominal fee is often agreed upon. Sometimes shelters reserve the right to follow up after a few weeks or months to see how the dog is doing in its new home.
Why Not Adopt Immediately?
- Animal welfare: The purpose of this process is to find the best possible match between dog and adopter. Immediate adoption would not allow enough time for careful consideration and decision-making.
- Responsible adoption: Shelters want to make sure that adopters are not making their decision on a whim and are truly ready to bring an animal into their family.
- Health checks: Often, final health checks or treatments (such as vaccinations or spay/neuter) need to be performed before the dog can move into its new home.
Adopting a dog from a shelter is a serious commitment that requires careful preparation and consideration. Although the anticipation is great, immediate adoption is not possible for the reasons stated above.
Through a structured adoption process, shelters help ensure that animals find loving and suitable homes. Patience and understanding during the adoption process is the first step to a long and happy relationship with your new four-legged family member.
Download Checklist
| Checklist | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Are there allergy sufferers in the family? | ||
| Will each family member take responsibility for him? | ||
| Do you / do you have enough time for the new family member? | ||
| Are there other animals at home? | ||
| Are there (small) children in the family? | ||
| Are you willing to pay the costs (food, vet, accessories, dog tax)? | ||
| Do you have enough space for a dog? | ||
| Does your landlord give you his consent? | ||
| Are there any foreseeable changes coming to your life situation? | ||
| What size and breed is appropriate for your living situation? |
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you with your decision. You now have enough information and reasons to adopt. Take the time to go through the adoption checklist and I'm sure you'll make the right decision. Have any feedback or questions? Leave a comment below.
I'm editor-in-chief at Hundeo and when it comes to dogs, my heart beats faster. My goal is to publish the best dog guides on the web. There is a lot of passion in every article and I welcome any feedback to constantly improve our content.
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