Adoption Considerations

Please Think

Before You Leap

There's a lot to consider before adopting a life long friend. It can happen to the best of us - you see an adorable dog and your heart melts. They call them puppy-dog eyes for a reason! You take one look, and the next thing you know, you're debating what color collar will make those puppy eyes pop!

Falling in love with a pet is easy - caring for them can be a different story. There's a lot to consider before adopting a life-long friend. There's the financial and time commitment of training, medical care, food, toys, walks, just to name a few.

Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys and it's even better when you're prepared for a new pup!

Adopting a pet is a big decision - sometimes more than 15 years' worth! Adopting a shelter dog is rewarding, but only if you think through your decision beforehand.

an image of a puppy resting their head on top of a larger dog

Things

To Know

The fact that you're thinking about adopting from an animal shelter means you're a responsible and caring person. But before you make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions:

Why do you want a pet? It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it's "the thing to do" or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don't forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.
Do you have time for a pet? Dogs cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy - there is no vacation from pet ownership. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them.
Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. The ASPCA estimates the average yearly cost to own a pet is $700-$1,100. The first year is the most expensive with average costs ranging from $1,500 to $2,000.
Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.
Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don't allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise. It's also important to make sure everyone living in the home (other pets, included) are on board with the decision.
Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active-they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research! That way, you'll ensure you choose an animal that will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a dog, you are making a commitment to care for them for his or her lifetime. The contract you sign when you adopt from Where the Love Is requires that your dog be returned to our shelter should you no longer be able to care for him or her. We also make a lifelong commitment to keep their best interests in mind!

Get A

dog For Life

Sure, it's a long list of questions. But a quick stroll through a dog shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt is so important.

Many of the dogs at Where the Love Is are puppies who are the result of breeding or who came to us from parts of the country where there are already too many dogs to house and care for. But there are at least as many dogs at the shelter who are more than a year old-and who were obtained by people who didn't think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got the dog.

Please, don't make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion dog can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love-for the life of the pet.

If you're ready to adopt a companion for life, please click the links above at the top of the page to see a sample of our many wonderful dogs available for adoption at Where The Love Is Animal Rescue.

If someone tugs at your heart strings and you would like to meet him or her, please fill out an Adoption Application.

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