Adopting A Dog - Part 2: The Adoption Process & Beyond

You've basically decided that you can commit to taking care of a dog and the timing is right. You might even consider what kind of dog you want or what age you want to get.

But remember, if you're getting a dog from a shelter or rescue, you'll have to be flexible with regard to the age of the dog, or the breed. You might have to be a bit more open-minded so you have a better chance of finding the right dog.

You can begin by looking online. Many rescue groups have websites and many shelters do as well.

For example, if you are looking for a specific breed and you want to find a rescue group that specializes in that breed, you could Google "Baltimore Boxer rescue" and see where that takes you. If you are not set on a specific breed but just want to know what groups are around your area, you could search for "Baltimore dog shelter" or something similar.

If you see a dog online you are interested in, express your interest early. If it's with a rescue group, call the group immediately and tell them you are interested in "Rudy, the 2-year-old". If the dog you are looking for is a popular breed, or a puppy, you might not be the first person who has expressed an interest.

Tip: If you see a dog online that's living in a shelter or the pound, arrive at the shelter exactly at opening time and stake your claim near the dog's cage . . . the puppies and purebred dogs go fast.

If you are adopting a dog from a shelter, you will be filling out some paperwork that will likely ask some questions about your background with animals. Don't see this as an intrusion . . . the shelter staff want to make sure that you are a good fit for the dog as much as he or she is a good fit for you. Just be honest . . . if a beloved cat got hit by a car, say so. Don't try to sugarcoat it. Things happen.

If a dog has been rated for children over 10 (based on how the dog handled various temperament tests the shelter ran) and you have a rambunctious 5-year-old, you need to be honest about that fact. Otherwise you might not be getting a good match.

You might be asked questions about your home, neighborhood and lifestyle. Often shelters won't refuse to adopt a dog out to you if you don't have ideal conditions, but they might ask you to think carefully about your decisions.

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If you are looking at a dog that's living with a rescue group, the questions may appear to be a little tougher.

You will be asked to fill out paperwork which might ask many of the same questions as the shelter, but in more detail. It's very likely a rescue group volunteer will sit down with you and address each of your answers on the paperwork. If you live in an apartment, are you allowed to have a dog? Can you afford this big dog? If you work 10 hour days, when will you walk your dog? Again, these questions aren't meant to be intrusive. They are meant to give the dog in question the best home the rescue group can find.

Most, if not all, rescue groups you come across will require home visits. Before they place a dog with you, they will come to your home to assess various things: your yard, your kids, your cat, your general household.

Prepare Yourself: It is possible you will not be allowed to adopt the dog you have chosen. Reason: Often there are many people who want to adopt the same dog and in that case, the rescue group is trying to find the absolute best match for the dog. If you are not comfortable with some aspects of a rescue group adoption, you can always adopt from a shelter or pound.

Once you bring your dog home, the adoption process usually doesn't stop.

If you have adopted from a shelter, you are almost always required to get your dog spayed or neutered. Some shelters will do this before you can take your new dog home, while others will provide you with a certificate to get it done and you provide proof of the surgery after it's done.

If you adopt from a rescue group, you might be subject to one or more home visits after the adoption. This is for the good of both you and the dog. If you are having any behavioral or health issues, the rescue volunteer can help you with them. If you need help with training, the volunteer can help you there as well.

Although many people are uncomfortable with the rescue group adoption process, the great advantage is the ongoing support and help you can get, which is difficult if not impossible to get from a shelter or pound.