How to Adopt a Healthy Dog From a Shelter

Choosing a dog from an animal shelter should be a rewarding experience for the entire family. With good care and a little luck, you will likely have this dog for 12 to 15 years - so it's important to think carefully about choosing the dog that's right for you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Dog Beds
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Treats
• High-quality Dog Food
• Identification Tags
• Veterinarian
• Whistles

1. Contact the shelter and schedule an appointment with an adoption counselor. She will know what dogs are available and which will match your lifestyle.
2. Consult a veterinarian about medical conditions common to certain breeds, or research breeds on the Internet or at the library.
3. Compile information and questions, grab the entire family and head for the shelter.
4. Request a shelter tour, visiting the wards and exercise areas. Clean, comfortable and odor-free conditions indicate quality care for the animals.
5. Observe all dogs for signs of respiratory disease. Coughing generally indicates kennel cough, a highly contagious but treatable infection.
6. Ask if all dogs have been examined by a veterinarian or animal technician, started on a vaccination program and given medication to remove intestinal parasites.
7. Select the dog of your choice and take him to the exercise area to play and interact with your family. Any sign of aggression is grounds for immediate rejection.
8. Caress and pet the dog, covering his entire body, looking for tumors, fleas or flea debris, hair loss or scaly, inflamed skin, which may indicate allergic dermatitis.
9. Avoid adopting a dog with a pre-existing skin condition, which can be difficult and costly to treat, creating misery for both dog and guardian.
10. Allow the dog to run on and off leash. Watch closely for signs of pain or reluctance to jump or turn quickly, which may indicate developing arthritis.
11. Pay the adoption fee and consider making an extra donation. Most animal shelters are not-for-profit organizations, operating solely on donated funds.
12. Make an appointment with your veterinarian soon after adoption. Follow the veterinarian's advice and complete the vaccination, worming and preventive heath care protocol.

Tips & Warnings

• Bright eyes, a shiny coat and clean, fresh-smelling ears indicate good health.
• Bad breath may indicate dental disease. Look inside the mouth for broken or abscessed teeth, tartar buildup and gum disease. Common in dogs older than 3, dental disease will require immediate veterinary care.
• Large dogs, especially purebreds, commonly have hip dysplasia, an inherited, debilitating osteoarthritis of the hip joints that greatly reduces quality of life. Any sign of pain during exercise should make you suspicious.
• Make an appointment to have your dog spayed or neutered as soon as possible.
• All diseases have an incubation period, so a healthy-looking dog may get sick three to five days after adoption. Be sure the shelter has a policy that allows you to return dogs that develop a serious illness within that time.