How to Find an Animal Shelter
People usually look for an animal shelter for one of two reasons--to find a pet or to get rid of pet. An animal shelter is a great place to find a new pet. It rescues an animal that might otherwise be euthanized, and it decreases the demand for puppy mills, where dogs are kept in deplorable conditions. Animal shelters are also the place to take unwanted animals since abandoned animals often starve or suffer horribly from injuries or parasites.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
-
-
1
Visit the American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers' websites to find breed specific rescue organizations if you want to adopt or surrender a purebred dog or cat--find links in Resources. These organizations are devoted to finding good homes for a specific breed, such as golden retrievers, for example. Volunteers with these organizations often foster pets in their homes until a permanent home can be found.
-
2
Visit the website Petfinder.com. Type in your zip code to find local animal shelters and rescue organizations. This is also a good place to view animals for adoption in local animal shelters or through local rescue organizations. Animalshelter.org is another good online source.
-
3
Municipalities and counties operate animal shelters that are usually listed under local government headings or even under the police department as animal control. Municipal shelters normally accept strays and unwanted pets. Animals that are not claimed by owners or adopted within a set time, usually five to seven days, are euthanized, unless the shelter is a no-kill shelter. Most public shelters charge an adoption fee and require the pet to be spayed or neutered before it can be adopted out.
-
4
Humane Society animal shelters exist in most communities. These facilities are generally no-kill shelters, which means animals are not euthanized when homes can't be found within a set time. For this reason, these shelters often don't accept strays. Fees are charged for surrendering an animal or adopting an animal. Visit the Humane Society website theshelterpetproject.org to find a Humane Society shelter near you. Find a link in References.
-
5
Contact local veterinarians. Most staff members at veterinary offices will be knowledgeable about local animal shelters, and may be able to refer you to specialty breed shelters or other types of animal rescue organizations.
-
1
