Adding a furry new addition to your family can be super exciting! But there’s a lot more to adopting a new friend than some may think. This week I’m going to walk you through some of the things to do and consider before going through the adoption process. Hopefully I can give you a better idea of what to expect and save you from any surprises. 

Do Your Breed Research 

First and foremost you want to make sure you know what dog is going to be right for you and your family. That great dane puppy may look super cute now, but will grow up to be quite the giant, and will also come with extra food costs as well. Additionally some breeds can be more difficult to train or own and if you’re a first time pet parent they may not be the best choice.  These are things to consider before even looking at those cute dogs online.

To start just go with a quick internet search on the size of dog you’re considering, and be honest with yourself about what size and temperament you can handle.Too often I’ve seen people get a dog they are not prepared for,  and unfortunately this is how a lot of dogs end up in shelters to begin with. Knowing the type of dog you’re able to handle helps ensure your new friend is just right. 

Once you’ve decided on a certain size you can start to narrow it down even more by researching different breeds within that range. Then when you have a few breeds picked out, you can look for certain medical problems associated with the breeds you’re considering. This is important, knowing specific medical problems that can occur ahead of time means you will be more prepared in the future if one of them happens to arise within your pup. Some breeds are prone to certain disease and medical conditions. If you’re not prepared ahead of time for some of these, the costs can add up very quickly.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Mixed Breeds

More often than not when people talk to me about adopting a dog, the first thing they say is “I want a purebred so I’m not sure adoption is for me.” Now my family has adopted five different dogs over the years and out of those five, three were purebred. My yellow lab even came with AKC papers. Adopting a purebred is absolutely possible but it may take a little longer. Which is why it’s helpful to consider a mixed breed. Honestly I find mixed breed dogs to be amazing, for one I think they’re super cute because they usually have some pretty unique characteristics. But I also think a lot of times you can get the best of two or more breeds, which is pretty cool if you ask me. 

The only thing to look out for is what exactly the rescue thinks they’re mixed with, and do some more research on those breeds. Usually the rescue is giving their best guess as to what the mix is, so having prior knowledge to different breeds can help you make a better decision. Just keep an open mind when choosing a dog. If you’re dead set on a pure bred, understand it make take a little time to find one for adoption. You can look for breed specific rescues, just make sure you do your research on them as some of them can actually be puppy mills disguised as a rescue.

Consider Existing Household Pets

This may seem like an obvious statement, but it’s vital to consider the animals currently in your house before adding any additional pets. If you are a dog owner and are looking to add another pup to your pack you need to first make sure your current dog will get along with another dog. Things to consider are your dogs’ temperament, gender and age. This also means when looking for another dog to make sure that the dog you have chosen to adopt has been cleared to be in a home with other dogs and/or cats if you have any.

The rescue will most likely require a meet and greet with your current dog and the dog you are adopting. This is to see how they interact to ensure a smooth transition when bringing the new dog home. Sometimes it just isn’t the right fit, even if both dogs are friendly and get along well with other animals. This is something that needs to be understood before going through the process. Your current dog should be your main priority before bringing a new pup into the home.

Children and Dogs

Another thing to consider are the children in your home. Some rescues will not adopt puppies out to homes with children under the age of five. This is really just to ensure the safety of the child and the puppy. Now this isn’t true with all rescues, it’s just something to be prepared for if the rescue you choose does have this policy.

The fact is some dogs just don’t get along with smaller children, if you have kids in your home, make sure you are reading the bios’ of the dogs to see if they have been cleared with children of similar age range to yours. There are dogs that cannot be with children at all, and others that can be with children over a certain age. The rescue usually will test this out with the dogs before they’re adopted out, or will make recommendations based on the dogs temperament. Again this really is to make sure the children are going to be safe with the dogs that are coming into their home, and shouldn’t be taken personally.

Understanding Adoption Fees

Some people think that adopting a dog is free, and in some cases it can be, if the organization is running a certain promotion, but that’s not often the case. While it can certainly be much cheaper than getting a dog from a breeder, most rescues require an adoption fee. They range in price but they ask for the adoption fees to cover the medical costs associated with rescuing the dogs. When a rescue group first gets a dog they immediately take it to the vet to make sure the dog is healthy. This includes all the up to date shots the dog requires and in some cases spay or neutering of the dog. They also make sure the dog isn’t hurt in any way and if the dog requires any specific surgery or medical treatment the rescue pays for that as well. They also pay for medication the dog may need. 

This can get very expensive for rescue groups, especially when caring for multiple dogs. They rely on donations to keep the organization going. Which is why not all rescues require the same fee. The fees for puppies will generally be a little more expensive than a dog that is a little older. Again this is because puppies usually require a little more medical care as well as different shots, and or medications. 

Some rescues can require a “pay to apply” fee. This is basically a way for the group to ensure they’re only getting serious applicants for a dog, and again helps as a donation towards the group. Most organizations that require this, only require it as a one time fee. This means if you apply for a dog and you end up not getting that dog, they’ll hold your application for another time without you having to pay the fee again. 

Deciding On Age Range

Puppies are ridiculously cute, there’s no denying that. But adopting a puppy comes with a lot of extra responsibility. Puppies unfortunately to not come pre-trained. They will have accidents, they will most likely chew things, and will need a lot of extra attention and consistent training. While it can be great raising a puppy, it’s important to be realistic with the time commitment a puppy will require. 

Adopting a dog that is a little older can be helpful with training, sometimes a dog that is a little older, even in the 1-2 year age range, will come with the knowledge of a few basic commands. They may already be housebroken, and if they aren’t, usually don’t require too much extra help to get them there. This of course isn’t always the case but more often than not training a dog a little older can in some cases be easier. Now with that being said there are obviously exceptions to this, adopting an older dog can also mean they’ve been through some rougher things and may have some pre-existing issues. This is why reading the dog bios written by the rescues/foster parents is very important, which I will go through next.

Read the Bios and Ask Questions

Once you start going through the process of looking for a dog, you’ll start to notice most come with a “bio.” It is imperative that you read through these and ask questions to make sure you understand the dogs temperament and any pre-existing medical conditions or issues the dog has. Pay attention to what the bio says, if they say the dog is energetic and playful or active, you know the dog is going to require extra play time, walks and running around. Additionally if they say the dog needs to be placed into a home with previous experience with that breed, and you’ve never owned or worked with the breed they’re referring to, that dog is not right for you. Some breeds can be more difficult than others, which is why again it is important to do your research ahead of time. The bios’ are there for a reason, take them seriously when reading through them and reach out to the rescue to ask any specific questions you may have. 

Research Rescue Groups

If you go through petfinder, you’ll see a bunch of different dogs from different rescue groups. If I’m looking and I find a particular dog I like, the first thing I do is look up the rescue its coming from and their reviews. Unfortunately like with anything there are some groups that are less than stellar. You want to make sure the place you plan on adopting from is a legitimate group, no matter how cute the dog from them is. Make sure you thoroughly read through the reviews of the rescue. See what specifically people had to say about them, and if there are negative reviews, look through and see why. This way you ensure you’re getting a dog that has been checked out, from a reputable organization and that you’ll actually receive the dog. 

Patience Is A Virtue

I have been through the adoption process several times, and I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had my heart set on a dog only to find out they were already adopted. It happens, and it honestly may happen a few times. Something you have to remember is when it comes to adopting a dog, there will usually be multiple people applying for the same one, especially if it’s a puppy. Set your expectations a little lower, I realize how heartbreaking it can sometimes be, but the way I look at it is at least the dog found a forever home. It also means that I have a chance to save a different dogs life. Rejection is normal when it comes to adopting and a lot of the time it has nothing to do with you, sometimes it’s just someone put in an application before you did. Sometimes the group is looking for a very specific home or family that would be right for the dog. Don’t give up, keep trying, and your best bet is to visit local adoption events. 

Another helpful tip is to find a couple of rescue groups you like, and have vetted, and go ahead and start filling out applications. This gives the rescue group a chance to review your application and approve you. Which means when a dog comes through that you want, your chances of moving to the top of the pile are much greater. 

Budgeting

Getting a dog means you’re going to have to pay for vet bills. These can add up very quickly, especially if the dog you adopt has any pre-existing medical conditions. Even though the your new dog will have seen a vet prior to being adopted, you will still need to make and appointment with you regular vet after bringing them home. If you don’t already have a veterinarian, start calling around to get estimates on costs. You can also ask friends and family members who have animals for recommendations on who they use. Even if its just for regular check ups, your dog is going to require routine shots as well as flea and tick medication and heart worm preventative.

These all need to be factored into your budget, as well as an emergency fund. An emergency fund is especially important if you plan on adopting a puppy, this is just to ensure you’re prepared for any surprises. Thankfully nowadays there is pet insurance, if this is something you’d like to utilize, make sure you do your research on each company to make sure you’re going to get the correct coverage you need. I myself have a monthly plan directly through my vet’s office. When picking a veterinarian, ask if this is something they offer as well, and see what is included. 

Most rescue organizations will require you to have a vet picked out prior to adopting. You will most likely need to list one on your application, so it’s helpful to have one and do your research ahead of time.

Dog Food

This is a big one, because while it’s important to feed your dog quality food, it also comes with an additional price tag. Now what you feed your dog is entirely up to you, there are several good options on the market. The thing I tell people is, while you may save money by buying cheaper dog food, you unfortunately may end up having to pay more in vet bills if the food is low quality. Feeding your dog the wrong kind of food can come with additional medical problems. Do your research, talk with your vet and pick the food that works for you, and budget accordingly.

I hope these tips give you a head start in having an exciting and successful adoption experience, and that your new furry best friend fits right into the family. Be sure to tag us on Instagram using #dogsdontwearpantsblog and share your adoption story! There are so many wonderful dogs just waiting for their forever home!