Introduction
Most animal shelters have the animals’ best interest at heart, but shelters still need to be evaluated before you decide to adopt a dog from their facilities. Not all shelters offer the same services, and some shelters fail to stay on top of infectious diseases that affect dogs.
Evaluating the Shelter
The animal adoption services that shelters offer can differ widely between shelters. Some shelters allow potential dog owners to take the dog home for a few days to see if the dog and the pet owner fit with one another, and other shelters allow private time between potential dog owners that can be spent at the shelter. However some shelters do not offer these services at all, and pet owners are expected to take home a dog without spending any personal time with it.
Most shelters offer spay or neuter coupons if the dog is currently too young for this procedure, and some shelters require that you bring the dog back to their facility at a later date for the spay or neuter. Many shelters only adopt out dogs after they have been microchipped, but other shelters leave this option up to the owner. Potential pet owners should always ask shelters about what type of services they offer before they adopt.
What to Look for in a Shelter
A reputable shelter should be clean, the dogs should be healthy, and the shelter will provide potential pet owners with all the information they need concerning the dog’s vaccination history, which vaccinations need to be carried out and at what date, and spay and neuter information. As you walk around the shelter, look at the dogs and the conditions of the kennels. Of course no shelter is able to maintain a spotless atmosphere, but all of the dogs should have clean water and clean living facilities. All dogs and puppies should be healthy. If you see any dogs with weepy eyes, runny noses, or coughs you should inform the managers of the facility and consider going to a different facility for your adoption.