This is how we know there are good people there: here you are, on an internet deep dive to find information about adopting a dog that maybe hasn’t had the best start to life, and you’re looking to change that!
Because we love people who do the kind thing, we have compiled a list of what to consider, what to ask, and what to know when looking to adopt a dog!
1. Adopting a dog is a wagon everybody needs to jump on
If you live with your family, flatmates, or on somebody else’s property, we can’t emphasise enough the importance of getting everybody involved onboard. Before diving into the pet adoption process, there needs to be an understanding of what having a pet entails. Especially the responsibility of having a dog from a shelter.
There need to be ongoing conversations about roles and responsibilities, financial contributions, and caring for your new dog together as a family.
2. Ask smart questions
If you are adopting from a reputable shelter, you should be able to gain access to whatever information the shelter has about your potential dog. Ask for a behavior analysis of the dog. The shelter should have notes on the dog’s behavior and any changes in temperament during their stay.
Your shelter will also be able to provide you with whatever background information they have about the animal’s life before the shelter. Understanding your dog’s past helps explain their behavior and allows you to make them feel safe and secure.
3. Wet your paws first
This is one of the most important parts of the adoption process. You need to insist on one-on-one time with your potential new family member before any decisions are made. This should include you being able to play with the dog in an open space and use any toys/training aids to see how they respond to you and your energy.
Know what kind of dog will thrive in your home and choose accordingly – this is doing you and the dog a favour in the long run! Having a dog that is constantly active when you live in a small home and don’t have time to get them out is only going to end in disaster.
4. Pet insurance
You need to remember that, with unexpected emergencies and sky-high vet bills, pet insurance is so important for pet owners these days. Consider how much you are willing and able to budget towards your pet insurance policy and do your research on how to shop for pet insurance.
We would recommend Oneplan Pet Insurance. Their plans are tail-o-made because they know that no two pets are the same, meaning premiums are calculated according to your pet’s age, size, and breed. They also offer new policies for small dogs & cats up to their 11th birthday, medium dogs up to their 10th birthday, and big dogs up to their 9th birthday.
Oneplan pays you BEFORE you see your vet, meaning you won’t have to worry about affording all those check-up appointments to make sure your new fur baby is happy and healthy.
By far, the best thing about Oneplan is their Onepet Premium Pet Store. Oneplan Pet Parents get exclusive access, and up to 25% discount* on monthly pet food shopping, as well as grooming & oral care, tick & flea, dewormer, chronic care, and toys & accessories. What better way to welcome your new furry family member than by spoiling them with yummy treats and toys?
Whichever pet insurance you choose, make sure you read your policy wording carefully so that you fully understand what you are and are not covered for.
5. You can’t assume your dog’s personality
When you adopt a dog, it can be difficult and take time to understand their personality. This includes knowing what they like and dislike, what makes them feel safe, and how they react in different situations. You need to ask yourself if you have the time and stamina to be both loving and responsibly wary of your dog.
You will find moments of frustration where your dog suddenly shows a behavioural trait they haven’t shown before, but you need to know how to be patient and willing to help them unlearn bad habits.
6. Your home and your pet
If you’re at home, have a look around you and take note of what would need to change. If you see any wires, chemicals, or delicate objects scattered around, we suggest you make sure they are out of sight and reach of your new pet.
You won’t know how clumsy your new baby is until you see them scampering at full speed amidst your wedding china – this is all a part of the process, but a little prevention never hurts anybody.
Another thing to consider regarding your home and your pet is the house rules. They should be clear and consistent from the beginning: are they allowed on the couch? Where will they sleep at night? What is their feeding routine going to be and where will you house train them?
These are all important to know beforehand to make the transition into your home as smooth as possible.
7. Old dogs and new tricks
There is a common misconception that a new dog must be a young dog, which is simply not the case. Choosing an adult dog may be the best decision for you and your family because of their calm temperaments.
Older dogs have loads of character and will create unique bonds given the chance. With enough patience and compassion, you can retrain an adult dog to be an obedient and loyal companion.
If you are looking for an energetic and longer-term addition to the family, then a puppy is still a super exciting option. When adopting a puppy, you run the risk of not knowing how they will turn out – you may have a tiny garden and land up with a Great Dane-sized crossbreed overnight! If size and breed are no issue, adopting a shelter puppy will be a joyful experience.
8. There could be health complications
Having an adopted pet does sometimes mean that you run the risk of underlying health conditions going undetected for months or even years. Oneplan offers comprehensive cover that won’t hold it against you if your adopted pet gets sick – how great is that?
9. Adoption is a trial-and-error process
If we’re being realistic, you’re going to need to be prepared for a lot of trial and error on this adoption journey. Whether this is your first or fifth dog, each animal is unique and has its own quirks and behaviours you will slowly come to know.
10. Give fostering a go
Fostering a dog whilst it waits to find an interim home is a fantastic way to find out whether you are up for adopting a dog. You will gain first-hand experience of how rescue and shelter animals behave and how to settle them into your home, even if only for a short time.
You will learn how to care for animals who have been given away or abused or simply born a part of an unknown litter, better preparing you for having a permanent four-legged addition to the crew!
If you’re looking to get started, here’s a push in the right direction: CLAW is a donation-based animal shelter that dedicates itself to the protection and humane treatment of all abandoned animals, especially in informal settlements. They play a huge role in finding homes for rescue doggos and we recommend you check out the work they do!
Adding a new fur baby to your family is an exciting and wonderful experience, and we hope the above tips help to make sure you enjoy many happy years and memories with your pawesome BFF!
