Preparing to adopt

Bringing a new pet home is an especially exciting event. We want all adopters (and their new pets) to have the best adoption experience possible!
Please consider these factors before adopting a pet.

Landlord approval

 

If you lease your home, check with your landlord before adopting to be sure you're allowed to have a pet and can afford any required pet deposits. Pets are sometimes returned because of lease restrictions and/or landlord disapproval. This can be an expensive lesson — adoption fees are non-refundable. Plus, being returned to the shelter can be a stressful experience for the animal.

Other household members

 

Other members of your household should be aware you want to add a pet and should meet the pet before you decide to adopt. Also consider:

  • Does anyone have allergies?

  • Are other members of the household, including children, afraid of animals?

  • Does everyone in your household agree with the decision to adopt?

  • Are you expecting other members of the household to share in the care of the pet?

Costs

 

Consider the initial and on-going costs of a new pet.
These costs may include:

  • Adoption fees

  • Food

  • Grooming

  • Obedience training

  • Pet supplies

  • Licensing

  • Veterinary care (these costs can easily amount to $400 or more within the first few weeks of adoption)

Other pets

 

We recommend that you don't immediately expose your existing pets to a new one. Consider how you'll manage an isolation period and be sure all existing pets are up-to-date on vaccinations and other routine health care before bringing a new pet home.

Facilitating positive pet-to-pet introductions will require some management on your part too. Not all pets are instant friends and may require temporary or intermittent separation to ensure a smooth transition. Some pets are happy to share their home within a week or two, others may take a month or longer to adjust. Our adoption staff will be happy to review steps to properly introduce your new pet to your resident pets.

Time commitment

 

All dogs and cats making the transition to a new home will need time to adjust to a new family and may require housetraining and behavior training to correct problem behavior. If you aren’t prepared to invest time into teaching your new pet appropriate behavior and helping the animal adjust, you should not adopt a pet. Positive reinforcement-based training is recommended for all newly adopted dogs and puppies.

Dogs and cats may live 12 to 15 years or more, and providing them with basic needs (food, water, shelter), medical care, and loving attention is important until the very end. Your thoughtful consideration, preparation, and commitment will help ensure a happy home for your new pet.

Pet supplies

 

Before bringing your dog or cat home, make sure you have the supplies to properly care for the newest member of your household.

Necessary Items for Dogs:

  • Food and water bowls

  • Food (canned and/or dry)

  • Collar

  • Four to six-foot leash

  • ID tag with your phone number

  • Hard plastic carrier or foldable metal crate

  • Dog bed

  • Plastic poop baggies (biodegradable ones are best) or pooper scooper

  • Variety of toys (a ball, rope, chew toy and puzzle toy are good starts)

  • Variety of treats (such as small cookies, larger rawhides, etc.)

Necessary Items for Cats:

  • Food and water bowls

  • Food (canned and/or dry)

  • Litter box and scooper

  • Kitty litter

  • Breakaway collar

  • ID tag with your phone number

  • Hard plastic carrier

  • Nail clippers

  • Brush or comb (depends on your cat’s coat length and type)

  • Variety of toys (toys including catnip are a favorite)

More considerations

 

Other Questions to Consider:

  • How will your social life or work obligations affect your ability to care for a pet?

  • Do you have a plan for your new pet during vacations and/or work travel?

  • Is there tension in the home? Pets quickly pick up on stress in the home, and it can exacerbate their health and behavior problems.

  • If you are thinking of adopting a young pet, do you have the time and patience to work with the pet through its adolescence, taking playing, training and energy-level into account?

  • Have you considered your lifestyle carefully and determined whether a younger or older pet would be a better match for you?

  • Do you need a pet who will be reliable with children or one you can take with you when you travel?

  • Do you want a pet who follows you all around the house or would you prefer a less clingy, more independent character?