Pet Adoption

How to Get Free Dogs for Adoption

2011-04-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

Free dogs for adoption

Many abandoned dogs are in need of good homes for adoption. Some of these pets may have behavioral issues that need to be addressed soon after an adoption. Many of these dogs can be adopted for free by people who can provide them with a good home. A veterinary visit is generally recommended as soon as you bring any pet home. These are some tips on getting a free dog for adoption.

Difficulty:: Easy

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare your home before adopting a free dog. A large physical space is desirable, but this depends on the size of the dog. Also, make sure you have available resources for veterinarian visits, and to satisfy others needs your dog may have once the adoption is completed.
- 2
  Familiarize yourself with the breeds of dog you are considering for adoption. Each breed has unique dog training requirements; select a dog breed that you can assist in meeting these requirements. Learn about the dog before the adoption. You can join a pet adoption group to learn from members who share their experiences. Consider your personal preferences, for example shedding dogs or hypoallergenic dogs.
- 3
  Visit local animal shelters to find free dogs for adoption. These shelters can be overcrowded with abandoned dogs and other animals. Adopting from an animal shelters may release space and care for other dogs in need. Find animal shelters online and on a telephone directory.
- 4
  Search on the internet and on newspapers for free dogs and adoption ads. Consider the internet site Petfinder.com to find a dog to adopt. This site lists dogs available for adoption in all areas of the country. The site provides a lot of learning information on free dog adoptions, choosing the right dog and training dogs.

Pet Adoptions in California

2011-04-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

Many California shelters are working hard to find stray animals a new home.
Nationwide, stray and abandoned animals sit in shelters waiting for a home. Shelters often become overcrowded, as the accumulation of strays outnumbers the demand for them. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there are 70 million stray cats alone. In California, a number of shelters exist that are working hard to find animals a good home, regardless of how long it takes.

Animal Friends of the Valleys, located in Lake Elsinore, California, has dogs, cats and other animals available for adoption. Microchipping, vaccinations, a collar, an ID tag and a free vet check come with the shelter's adoption package. Animals that are not spayed or neutered come with an additional fee. When adopting a dog, the shelter will send out a "yard checker," who will make sure that the yard of the adoptive family's home is suitable for the animal. The shelter also hosts special adoption days at the local PetCo and PetSmart stores on Saturdays, in addition to taking select animals to senior communities in the area. Animal Friends of the Valleys is closed on Sundays.
Animal Friends of the Valleys
29001 Bastron St.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92531
951-674-0618
animalfriendsofthevalleys.com

North Star Rescue is composed of several foster homes and adoption centers in the Bay Area. This shelter specializes in small animals such as guinea pigs, rats and gerbils. Those wishing to adopt a small animal from North Star must complete an adoption application, then come to an adoption appointment. At the appointment, the potential new owner and the pet become acquainted to see if they are compatible. If so, the new adoptive family then pays the adoption fee and takes the new pet home. Most animals at North Star Rescue are not spayed or neutered, with the exception of rabbits.
North Star Rescue
Andy's Pet Shop -- South Bay Adoption Outpost
1280 The Alameda
San, Jose CA 95126
408-297-0840
northstarrescue.org

Pet Orphans of Southern California has been dedicated to helping rescue and place pets in new homes since 1973. After rehabilitation and being tested for temperament, the animals are put up for adoption. Animals are matched with suitable owners through an extensive adoption process. Potential pet owners fill out a short form; if the form is accepted, they will meet with an adoption counselor to find the right pet. Owners who already have a dog will need to bring their pet with them to make sure that the new dog will be a match. Adoption fees for cats and dogs include spaying or neutering, a tracking tag, flea control and deworming medicine, a microchip, and a DVD to help you learn more about training and pet acclimation.
Pet Orphans of Southern California
7720 Gloria Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
818-901-0190
petorphansfund.org

In 1965, Pets in Need began as a means to help lost pets find their way home. The organization expanded in 1993 to house and adopt out pets. Pets in Need takes cats and dogs from shelters that are near their euthanasia date and works to find them homes. Adoption entails completing an adoption profile and meeting the potential pet. When adopting a dog, all members of the household, as well as any dogs living in the home, must be present to make sure the new dog is compatible. Adoptions are available from Thursday through Sunday.
Pets in Need
871 Fifth Ave.
Redwood City, CA 94063
650-367-1405
petsinneed.org

How to Do a Pet Adoption Home Check

2011-04-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

The final part of the application process for adopting a pet from a shelter, rescue or individual often involves a home check. The prospective adopter may seem like a nice person who will love the pet -- and gave good answers on their application -- but you can never be assured that it's the right home situation unless you visit in person. Here are some steps for conducting a home check.

Difficulty:: Moderately Easy

Instructions

- 1
  Consider the type of home, e.g. single family, apartment, multi-family home. If it's a single-family home, is there a fenced-in yard? If it's an apartment, do other tenants have pets and is it a pet-friendly property? If it's a multi-family home, do the other residents have non-aggressive pets and does the landlord or management allow pets?
- 2
  Are both the exterior and interior of the house tidy and well kept? This often reflects how responsible the residents are. Responsible people are more likely to make responsible pet owners.
- 3
  Note which areas of the house the pet will have access to, where the pet will sleep and where the pet will be left when the guardians aren't home, e.g. the backyard, the kitchen with a baby gate, a crate (if it's a crate, ask to see it to make sure it is large enough and has adequate ventilation). If they want to adopt a rabbit, for instance, ask to see the cage. If the prospective adopter works long hours, find out what provisions will be made for the pet, e.g. pet sitter, doggie daycare, a doggie/kitty door. If they plan to crate the pet, find out for how long at a time. Eight hours a day, five days a week is a long time for a dog to be crated without being let out. Use your judgement to determine whether it sounds excessive.
- 4
  If there are children and other pet(s) in the home, observe how they interact with the pet. Will young children be supervised around the pet? Will teenagers be solely responsible for the pet's care? If they tell you that children under 21 will be responsible for the pet's care, that could be a red flag.
- 5
  If there are other pet(s), observe their appearance, for instance, if the pet is overweight or underweight, if the nails are trimmed, if the pet has fleas or skin problems, what type of collar the pet has on and if there are ID tags.
- 6
  Observe the behavior of the other pet(s) -- how they react to the family members and if they seem happy and content.
- 7
  Note if there are toys around for the other pet(s), scratching posts for cats, windows with secure screens, a secure fenced-in yard if they plan to leave a dog unattended, and if there's a pool, check to see if it's gated.

Pet Adoptions Vs. Buying

2011-04-28T23:00:00.000-07:00

Pet Adoptions Vs. Buying

Before adding a pet to any household, it is important to carry out research and discuss the possibility with the members of your household. Important topics to research and discuss include the temperament, exercise needs and money required to look after the pet. Another important thing to research before purchasing a pet is the source from which you will get the animal.

Considerations
- Choosing between a purebred pet or a mixed breed, and whether you would like a baby animal or an adult has pros and cons and depends on personal preferences. Purebred animals have more predictable personalities, but mixed breeds are usually healthier. Adult animals have likely had prior training and can be less energetic than babies. If money is a consideration, adopting is often cheaper that buying.
Sources
- When buying a pet it is important to know the source from which the animal has come. Responsible breeders do not breed animals for profit, but to better the breed. They check the health, temperament and genetics of their animals prior to breeding. They often show their animals in competitions such as obedience or agility. Dogs sold in pet stores usually come from so-called puppy mills--mass dog breeding facilities that keep their dogs in poor conditions and use them only for breeding. Animal shelters or rescues sometimes have information on their animals' histories, but often, the animals come in as strays with no history.
Pros and Cons
- Buying a pet from a responsible breeder means you are getting a healthy animal, but it can be expensive. The ASPCA recommends not purchasing a puppy from a pet store because these fuel puppy mills, enabling the mill to continue treating dogs inhumanely and churning out unhealthy dogs. Puppy mill puppies often have genetic defects as millers do not check breeding dogs for health and temperament. Adopting an animal from a shelter or rescue is cheaper and prevents the animal from euthanization, but these animals can often be shy, possibly due to abuse in their previous homes.
Options
- For those who want a purebred animal but cannot afford a puppy from a responsible breeder, there are purebred rescue groups. The animals that come from purebred rescue groups are usually adults, though occasionally baby animals are available. Shelters with purebred animals might call the purebred rescue group if they have a purebred dog or cat. Purebred rescues use foster homes for their animals to encourage socialization and to provide a stable environment for an otherwise homeless animal.
Expert Insight
- According to dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, puppy mill puppies are weaned too early, missing out on a crucial socialization period with their littermates. This can create puppies who don't know how to interact with other animals or humans and can increase the risk of future aggression. Stilwell states that there is a large pet overpopulation in the United States, with 4 to 5 million dogs on average euthanized annually due to a lack of homes. Adopting can reduce this number.

How to Create a Pet Adoption Flyer

2011-04-28T22:58:00.001-07:00

Each year in the United States, according to the Humane Society, roughly 10 million dogs and cats are sent to animal shelters. Half of them have to be euthanized because of the strain on local government resources. Pet adoptions are a way to help stem this tide and place animals in loving homes, and a number of community organizations hold their own adoption fairs. To attract prospective pet owners to your pet adoption, you can create and print out flyers on your computer to post in public places.

Difficulty:: Easy

Instructions

- 1
  Plan what information to include on the flyer. Make a list of the details, such as date/time and address, along with the types of animals available to adopt and any other pertinent information.
- 2
  Open a new document in Microsoft Word or another word processing program. (You can also find templates for flyers and posters online.) Type a large, bold headline such as "PET ADOPTION" or "KITTEN ADOPTION TODAY." These words must be large and clear enough to be read at a distance, as they will attract people to the rest of the document.
- 3
  Paste in a picture of one or more animals that are up for adoption, directly below the headline.
- 4
  Underneath the picture, list the basic information, such as the date, address and start/end times of the adoption. List the pets up for adoption, along with such details as their ages.
- 5
  Add information about the cost of adoptions, if relevant. Indicate clearly whether the new owners will have to pay any fees or will be charged for shots and spaying/neutering.
- 6
  Print out a test sheet of your flyer. Make sure it's easy to read and has all the right information. If not, adjust font sizes and alignments to ensure the cleanest presentation possible.
- 7
  Once the flyer is finished, print out as many copies as you need. You can also take the file to a copy and printing store, where you have a large number of flyers printed relatively cheaply (usually between 2 and 10 cents a page).

How to Put Your Pet Up For Adoption

2011-04-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

Put Your Pet Up For Adoption

Pets, regardless of their size or type (fish, cats, dogs or horses), become a part of the family once you bring them home. Sometimes situations arise, and you are no longer able to keep them. Sometimes it is a heartbreaking decision and other times, you know that giving your pet to a new owner is the best thing for both you and your pet.

Difficulty:: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

- 1
  Consider asking a friend to watch your beloved pet for a short period of time until you can take your pet back. Do this in the event that you are very attached to your pet and giving the pet to a complete stranger forever is not something that you really want to do.
- 2
  Ask friends or family if they would like to permanently keep the pet if you know that you can never have your pet live with you again, and you are hesitant to give your pet to a stranger.
- 3
  Take a picture of your pet, and make a poster to display at your job or a place where you are familiar with the people that would adopt your pet.
- 4
  Sell your pet in the newspaper or online if you need to get rid of the pet and do not have any preferences as to who the new owner will be. There is nothing wrong with this option, and it does not make you a bad person for doing so.
- 5
  If you are in a desperate situation where you must get rid of the pet immediately, call a local animal shelter or the local humane society. Ask about leaving the pet with them for others to view your pet and possibly adopt it.

Tips & Warnings

Disclose everything about your pet. Bad and good habits.
Be honest about why you are needing to depart with the pet.
You can also interview and turn people down if they show interest in your pet.
DO NOT "dump" your pet along the road or in a vacant area. This is illegal and could cause harm to your pet.

How to Find Pet Adoption Through PetSmart

2011-04-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

Adopt Your Perfect Pet

When most people think of adopting pets, they assume their options are limited to driving around to local pet shelters and searching newspaper ads to find the perfect pet. This can be a time consuming- and sometimes risky- process. However, PetSmart stores have turned pet adoption into a simple, safe process.

Difficulty:: Easy

Instructions

- 1
  Find a Store
  Find your nearest PetSmart store. You can locate it by looking in the phone book, using the "store locater" feature on PetSmart's website, or asking a local friend that already has a pet.
- 2
  Speak With an Adoption Counselor
  Go to the store and ask to speak to an Adoption Counselor. The Adoption Counselor is a personal guide that will help you select the perfect pet for your family and lifestyle.
- 3
  Be Prepared to Answer Questions
  Be prepared to answer these questions: What is your schedule like? How many children are in your home, and what are their ages? Do you have any other household pets? Counselors will also want information on your budget, how clean you like your house to be, if you have any allergies, and if you are planning any big life changes in the future (such as a move or the birth of a child). The Adoption Counselor will use the answers to these questions to help select your pet.
- 4
  Pay for Your Pet
  Pay for your pet and take him home. Pet parents will have to pay a nominal fee for pet adoption. This fee will include the cost of vaccinations, a health check, and spaying/neutering your pet.

How to Write a Pet Adoption Ad

2011-04-12T14:37:00.001-07:00

Successful pet adoption ads include photos.

Finding a new home for a cat, dog, or other domestic pet begins with getting the word out. A successful pet adoption ad provides facts relevant to the pet's breed, age and behavioral traits. Persuasive ad copy captures the unique, lovable qualities of the individual animal and attracts prospective owners.

Difficulty:: Easy

Instructions

Instructions
- 1
  Write a description of the pet. Describe what the pet looks like and be sure to include his name. For example, "Lux is a loving medium-sized brown Labrador mix with big golden eyes." Be upbeat and include as many details as possible.
  State the breed and approximate age of the animal, if known. A veterinarian can usually make an educated guess, if you're not sure.
- 2
  Include photos. Take several flattering photos of the pet to accompany the ad. Be sure the animal has been well-groomed and choose an attractive, relaxed setting. Try several portrait shots and full body pictures, and make sure the subject is looking into the camera lens. Photos are key in pet adoption ads. Many prospective pet owners will not stop and read ads that do not include pictures.
- 3
  Describe the pet's personality. Write a sentence or two about the disposition of the pet, such as "very laid back and great with kids" or "rambunctious and loves to run around the yard."
- 4
  Give the pet's history. Be brief and keep it to two sentences. Some cats and dogs are up for adoption because they come from abusive homes. Other pets are victims of a natural disaster or need a new home after an owner's death. Prospective owners want to know the history of any pet they may adopt.
- 5
  Provide medical information. Include specific medical details about the pet, such as whether the required shots are up-to-date and if the pet has been neutered or spayed.
  List the cost of shots and neutering or any other fees involved in adopting the animal.
- 6
  Disclose any problems. Write a sentence about any behavioral problems the pet may have. For example, tell prospective owners if a dog is good with adults, but has a problem with nipping at children, or if the pet is not house broken.
- 7
  Describe special needs. For example, the dog or cat could be blind, need steps to get on the couch or bed, or require a certain kind of diet.
- 8
  Include contact information in the advertisement.

How to Sponsor Pet Adoptions

2011-04-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

Adopting a pet in need of a home is a rewarding and humbling experience; whether it is a cat, dog, parrot or even a rat. For many however, adopting a pet is just not an option because their homes are already full of furry friends or their apartment is just too small. There are still many opportunities for helping homeless pets such as sponsoring a pet adoption. Sponsors help an animal get adopted by providing for some of their needs such as food, veterinary care and even grooming, prior to their adoption into a new home.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy
Instructions
things you'll need:
Pet rescue organization
Pet supplies
Money
1
Find a pet rescue and adoption organization. This can be a local or national organization. It should be one whose mission is close to your heart.
2
Contact the organization of your choice. Ask them what they need to help the animals waiting for adoption. They may need food, dog beds, bird cages or money for vet care. You can also ask to help a specific pet and provide for his individual needs.
3
Go shopping for the needed pet supplies. Donations of used goods are often welcome but new dog toys, cat scratchers, pet beds or quality bird cages are a rare luxury for homeless pets.
4
Donate money to the organization. Giving money gives the pet adoption organization the freedom to meet the medical or other unexpected needs of each pet. Consider giving monthly sponsorships also.
5
Set up a fund at the organization's vet clinic. You can directly help pay for the pets' medical care while encouraging others to do the same by managing a donation fund directly for their vet clinic.
6
Take a dog to the groomer. Many dogs come into rescue with matted dirty fur. They will need a good make over to help them find a new home and you can help by driving the pet to his grooming appointment.

How to Organize a Pet Adoption Event

2011-04-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

Organize a Pet Adoption Event

Everyone knows there are thousands of wonderful cats and dogs sitting in shelters, rescues and foster homes waiting for their "forever" family. Getting the word out can be an uphill battle though, and one excellent way is to organize an adoption event. Read on to learn how to organize a pet adoption event.

Difficulty:: Moderate

Instructions

Crates and cages
Water bowls
Animals needing homes
Table and chairs
Adoption paperwork and contracts
Extra bags of food
Business cards and brochures
Volunteers

- 1
  Find a place to hold an adoption event. This may take a little networking but the possibilities are endless. Call pet stores in your area. Many pet stores work with rescues; it's good for their business to have pets for adoption in their stores. Look for local fairs, community events and even mall shows and contact the organizers. Showcasing pets for adoption builds goodwill and attracts customers. This is something many event organizers will be happy to host and if you are a recognized non-profit, chances are you can get the space fees reduced or waived.
- 2
  Make sure there is shade and shelter from the elements. Any animals you bring with you need to have a comfortable place to spend the day. It will be stressful for them as it is, so do everything you can to ensure their comfort and the comfort of all attendees.
- 3
  Give your animals as much space as practical. Cats can do well in large wire crates, with enough room for food, water and a small litter box. Small dogs and puppies can be put in a pen. Larger, friendly dogs can be kept on leash to meet and greet the public. Even the most social animal can be stressed or overstimulated by too much contact with crowds of people so make sure the animals are not handled too much and have some down time.
- 4
  Put as much information about each adoptable animal on the cages, and have as many knowledgable volunteers as possible to help answer questions about your friendly animals. Highlight that each animal has been wormed, vetted, spayed or neutered and whatever other care they have received. Make sure people understand that the adoption fee covers the cost of all care up to this point, and will most likely be cheaper than if they were to get an unvetted animal and pay all the vet fees themselves.
- 5
  Pass out any promotional literature you have, even if it's only simple business cards. Of course you want to see as many animals as possible go to their forever homes, but quite often people are in the "just looking" stage of deciding on a pet. Make sure they can contact you later.
- 6
  Have all paperwork ready to go if someone wants to take a pet. You will need an adoption contract, and if the animal is too young to have been neutered, a spay-neuter contract. Double check the information given with a drivers license or some other valid form of ID, and get phone numbers as well. If your rescue protocols include a follow-up home visit, try to arrange that at the time of adoption. Give the new adopter a bag of whichever food the animal has been eating while in your care to go home with.
- 7
  Consider selling raffle tickets, or goodie bags of treats and toys, or anything else you think will be an effective fundraiser for your rescue. Even if people don't adopt, many are sympathetic to the rescue cause and will willingly donate money, so make it easy for them to do so!

Cool Facts About Pet Adoption

2011-04-12T00:07:00.000-07:00

You can save a dog's life by adopting from a shelter or rescue organization.

When looking to add a furry friend to your family, you have two basic options: adopting from an animal shelter or purchasing from a breeder. However, there are several benefits of animal adoption that could influence your decision.

Saving a Life
- According to AdoptaPet.com, about 4 million adoptable cats and dogs are put down each year, mainly because of overpopulation. By adopting from a shelter, you could save the life of one of these unfortunate animals.
Breeds in Shelters
- Many people choose to buy from a breeder because they are looking for a specific breed of dog. However, 25 percent to 30 percent of dogs available for adoption in animal shelters are purebred.
Breed Rescues
- Prospective pet owners don't have to purchase their ideal breed of dog from a breeder; there are rescue organizations that help dogs of a specific breed who have been given up, neglected or abused.
Behavior Myths
- Some people do not consider adopting from a pet shelter because they assume that animals end up there because of poor behavior. However, there are a number of reasons why pets arrive in a shelter, from losing their owner to being abused and rescued.
Cost Savers
- Many shelter animals are fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered, which results in healthier pets and savings for the people who adopt them.

Pet Adoption

How to Get Free Dogs for Adoption

Instructions

Pet Adoptions in California

Animal Friends of the Valleys

North Star Rescue

Pet Orphans of Southern California

Pets in Need

How to Do a Pet Adoption Home Check

Instructions

Pet Adoptions Vs. Buying

Considerations

Sources

Pros and Cons

Options

Expert Insight

How to Create a Pet Adoption Flyer

Instructions

How to Put Your Pet Up For Adoption

Instructions

Tips & Warnings

How to Find Pet Adoption Through PetSmart

Instructions

How to Write a Pet Adoption Ad

Instructions

Instructions

How to Sponsor Pet Adoptions

How to Organize a Pet Adoption Event

Instructions

Cool Facts About Pet Adoption

Saving a Life

Breeds in Shelters

Breed Rescues

Behavior Myths

Cost Savers