How to Find a Pet Adoption Agency
Adopting a pet can give a cat, dog, bird or other animal a chance at a healthy, happy life. Adoption agencies around the country have many pets available for a loving family. Fortunately, there are ways to find an agency that has the perfect pet for you.
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Instructions
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Ask a local veterinarian. Vets will often have information not only about which shelters or pet centers have pets for adoption, but are also which ones are reputable and have healthy pets. A vet can also give information about shelters for specific breeds of dogs or cats.
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Visit an ASPCA shelter. According to the ASPCA's website, the humane organization that started in 1886 still works to prevent animal cruelty. If you're considering adopting from an ASPCA shelter, be prepared for a challenging pet, because many were abused, wild or otherwise come from rough situations. These animals need owners who can provide the extra patience, love and understanding they need in order to thrive.
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Ask about pet adoption at local pet stores like Petco or PetSmart. Local stores will often have information available about shelters or adoption centers in the area. Also, these stores sometimes hold adoption events.
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Go to Adopt a Pet's website. Adopt a Pet is an organization that works with pet adoption agencies, shelters, rescue groups and other groups to help remove pets from abusive situations and find great homes for them.
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Select "Find a Shelter" at the top of the page and enter the information about location like city, state and zip code. This will give a list of local shelters in your area. Select "Search Cats" or "Search Dogs" to look for shelters that have these pets.
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Go to Petfinder.com and fill in the information. Petfinder.com is similar to Adopt a Pet, and has information about local pet adoption agencies or adoption centers. You can look for a wide range of animals, such as horses, birds, rabbits or even barnyard animals.
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Tips & Warnings
Always look at the pet in person. Going in person helps you get a feel for the pet's personality and a chance to ask questions about vaccines and health.
Learn about the pet breed before adopting a pet. Find out how much exercise they'll need, and which pets are poor choices for busy families. Make sure the pet can fit into your personal or family lifestyle.
Always ask about pet backgrounds before adoption. A dog or cat that was previously abused could have numerous challenges and might not be the best pet for families with young children or with little time to devote to the pet.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pet dog image by NorthShoreSurfPhotos from Fotolia.com
