Pet adoption is getting more complex. Most changes are trying to protect the pet, but be sure to protect yourself too.
Adoptions that go wrong can be costly, emotional, and stressful for the family.
This is personally written by me to help others make the best adoption choices. Learning is sometimes done by living… or you find someone who helps you along.
Remember — pets take commitment and responsibility. Decide carefully.
Review the web for pet adoption tidbits.
I have found some great articles on pet adoption fit, pet type choice for your family, introduction of pet to a household, and adding a pet to your existing household pet(s).
Some pet types have more needs than others such as getting home from work in time to let a dog out to expel it’s bodily fluids outside – not in your home. Different animal breeds can have different (pre-disposition) characteristics such as temperament, possible health problems, and attention needs. Smaller pets such as hamsters, gerbils, or snakes need special care too.
Take time to understand the commitment and responsibility of the pet you want to adopt. This will reduce the need to return an unwanted pet.
Take your time with the pet adoption.
If you find a pet you like and you are not completely sure of the adoption – wait a day or so for that adoption.
If you are unsure, your instincts may be telling you there is something wrong with the adoption fit, the adoption group, or the pet health status. (Health issues may not be clearly visible at the shelter). Some adoption groups will allow you to FOSTER the pet before paying the fee. Kindly and gratefully accept the option to foster that pet!
Review the pet adoption contract.
Sometimes it’s best to review the contract before you pick a pet at that particular shelter. Why get your hopes up if the contract is non-workable for you.
Compare the written contract to what you understand to read on the adoption group website. Should you encounter problems, I would guess the written contract takes priority over the website.
Many contracts are now telling the future pet owners where they have to go for medical care of the animal, or notes like you can’t give away the pet to a family member or friend.
Review any BBB (Better Business Bureau) statements or cases on the pet adoption shelter/group you are considering doing a transaction with.
I found a shelter that is in association with another shelter that had reported problems, but at that point I was writing the check and taking the pet home. The name showed up at the top of the adoption papers. I was wrong to think it was not important. It’s better to be an informed ‘consumer’ than be surprised later.
Read and understand every line of that pet adoption contract.
Expecting you to care for your pet at their preferred vet can be an insult to your pick of your own vet. If you accept their terms — consider vet location in relation to your home. Auto travel can be stressful for a pet especially if a long distance ride, and especially if turns out to be a SICK pet. Many contracts don’t account for emergency medical treatment waivers. This can be detrimental in the time the pet needs or appears to need immediate medical attention. I found this situation arises when the rescue shelter is in association with a veterinary clinic.
Don’t accept verbal statements that contradict the written contract!!!
If there are problems that arise from the adoption, the adoption group expects YOU to abide by their written contract. They may NEVER reimburse your adoption fee should something go wrong.
Write in or cross off parts of that contract that don’t work for you. You will soon find out about the flexibility of that adoption group.
ALWAYS write on the adoption contract any issues the prior owner had on the pet.
Again verbals don’t stand much of a chance if you want your adoption fee back – that statement, however brief or seemingly non-issue can turn out to be a sign of an unidentified health issue in the pet.
After having encountering problems with adoption from a no-kill animal rescue shelter I felt the need to place this tidbit of adoption information out for others.
(This post was started in draft and may always be in draft. I may add relevant information over time.)
