Pet adoptions fortunately happen all of the time.  If you are thinking about getting a pet, but have never done it before, luckily you can do your homework and research the whole process online.

Petfinder.org usually has literally thousands of animals ready for adoption from shelters all around the country, but each shelter has its own rules, some of them quite strict. For example, if you have ever been a pet owner,   you might have to get a reference letter from your own vet attesting to your suitability for adopting a pet.

The adoption fees can vary quite widely as well, especially if the shleter, or foster agency or breed rescue group incurred a lot of costs in getting the dog back into shape.

The great thing about the internet is you can research your pet without running around all over the place or going to a lot of different shelters. We certainly recommend that people do visit kill shelters–in fact, many states like Tennessee have only kill shelters, so every animal you take from there is one more saved life.

Rescue groups will often go out of their way to get dogs shipped from these states just to try to prevent them from being put down and buy some time for these otherwise healthy and happy dogs looking desperately for a loving home.

But adopting a pet is a big commitment, and it might be a good idea for you to do your research first on breed type, temperament, needs, and how it will fit in with your family life, as well as how high-maintenance it will be.

Not every dog at a shelter comes in as a stray, you see. In many cases, it has been surrendered because the person just can’t take care of it any more, so you might find that when you go online, many of these animals have a description and history.

At petfinder.org you will find notes about the animals insofar as they can tell, such as special health needs, if the dog is good with children or not, if it is good with other pets in the household, and any other information that they might have which they feel a prospective owner needs to know.

There is nothing worse than them finding what they think will be a good home, and then the poor animal ends up coming back to the shelter. So they are eager to give you help, advice, and information, to make sure you and your new friend are a good match.

So get online to do some research on pet adoption, or talk to your local vet, or the Humane society.

The internet has a great deal of information to offer you on any questions that you may have on pet breeds, or adoptions, so just take the time to check it out thoroughly. A bit of research and forward planning should make the transition for you and your new pet a smooth one. You will also avoid acting on impulse, seeing an adorable cat or dog with soulful eyes, and then getting it home only to discover the breed is notorious for being stubborn (like the beagle) or howling at the moon (also the beagle!)

Any vet should be able to give you all of the information that you are looking for on pet adoption, as will your local humane society. Often your vet might have animals which have been surrendered for various reasons, or still worse, healthy animals they have brought to be put down to be rid of them (it happens!)  You might have the opportunity to adopt a pet with no costs, to take home to your family for all to love.

Continues in Pet Adoption Essentials Part 3