How to Adopt a Dog From Animal Control

Adopting a dog from your local animal control facility is as easy as making an adoption from a local shelter or rescue group. These pets need homes too, and the adoption process can take less than an afternoon.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Phone book
• Local animal control agency
• Dog leash
• Adjustable collar
• Crate to transport him home

Instructions:

1. Look through your local phone book to see if animal control facilities exist in your town. Look in the government section, since most animal control agencies are city run organizations. Call the facilities to check their hours of operation, and whether or not you need an appointment to visit the dogs available.

2. Prepare for your trip to animal control by wearing comfortable, neutral clothes. Don't wear clothes that smell like other pets in the home. Choose clothes that can get dirty, in case some of the pets are undisciplined or excited and jump on you. Bring a leash, adjustable collar and crate to transport your new pet home, just in case you decide to make an adoption.

3. Arrive at animal control during their business hours. Allow enough time to visit several pets. Ask the employees if there is an outdoor location where you can walk one dog at a time. While walking the dog, see how he responds to you, his surroundings and other animals as you walk through the building.

4. Ask the employees at the animal control if they have background information on the dog you are thinking of adopting. Find out if the dog is good with children, other dogs, other pets and if they have any aggression against males or females.

5. Filling out paper work, paying and receiving a few shots comes next. Once you have chosen the right dog to adopt, the employees will fill out paperwork with you. If your city requires city licensing of pets, they will help you with that procedure. Some animal control facilities also administer vaccines, and will make sure your new pet is current on his shots before you take him home.

6. Plan on taking your new dog to the grooming salon for a flea bath before taking your pet home. You don’t want to introduce fleas into your home. Also plan for a visit to the vet in the first week to make sure your new pet is healthy and keep him on track with yearly vaccinations.

Tips & Warnings

• Spend an ample amount of time getting to know the dog you think you’d like to adopt at animal control. Don’t make a quick decision, or he may end up at the shelter again. Visit the dog over a period of several days, and allow family members to meet him if you local animal control agency will allow frequent visits.