FAQs of Pet Adoption...
This Fall there are an impressive amount of adoption events as we near New York Week for the Animals, Halloween, and more holidays. With that in mind, there are some things that we should remember as we look to save a life and adopt our new best friend:
What is required to complete adoption of my new furry family member?
Most shelters and rescues will require the following:
Proof of identification Reference(s) Payment - adoption fees vary and are essential in helping shelters cover care and medical costs. Proof of pet allowance in apartment buildings may be required as well.
I have allergies and can only tolerate specific types of dogs / cats. How do I still adopt?
The best solution to situations of allergies is to speak with a medical doctor as well as a veterinarian to find out exactly the types of animals you can and can’t be around. There are myriad pure breed rescue groups with the breed of dog that will not trigger your allergies, but you must be patient in searching for the right animal in your area rescue group that fits with your needs. If you are allergic to all cats and dogs, you may be able to take certain types of allergy medications that will allow you to live with a new pet without issue. Consult a doctor and a veterinarian to be sure.
How do I know what organization to adopt from?
Just like with any business, there are certain standards that experienced and successful rescue groups and shelters abide by. Be sure the organization you are adopting from charges an adoption fee which covers vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and microchip for dogs (sometimes for cats too). You should speak with an individual that can be candid about the animals you’re interested in and also about the organization. Feel free to ask questions too, so that you feel assured of your decision and the animal you match with.
Does the city shelter euthanize animals?
Yes. New York City Animal Care and Control shelters are required by the City of New York to take in every animal that is brought in or relinquished to them. This includes exotic and farm animals, as well as all shapes and sizes of cats, dogs, and rabbits. Occasionally Animal Control officers will pick up stray animals, but they will not respond to calls about feral cats or requests to pick up stray dogs or cats. The Animal Care and Control shelters have too many animals than kennels, foster or adoptive homes, therefore, they must put animals to sleep in order to accommodate the flooding of animals they experience every day. It is a sad reality – but you can do your part by adopting, fostering, and encouraging others to do the same. Remember – ADOPTION IS THE ONLY OPTION!
What is the process?
A reputable, reliable rescue or shelter organization will have an adoption application and adoption fee, which allows them to screen people and ensure their animals are going into loving, safe homes – and will not fall into the wrong hands. The adoption application and the adoption usually do not take place on the same day, as adoption reps must read the applications and check references first before letting an animal out of their hands for good.
Why so many questions? I’d make a great pet parent!
You will probably be asked a lot of questions, but that is a good thing! All involved need to make sure the new home is a sure thing, not a whimsical thought that will change the day after Fluffy or Scruffy come home. Remember, you may be a pillar of your community, but not everyone is. Think of it as a job interview. Are you the right fit for Max or Maxine?
Some questions may include (in random order): (1) where do you work? what are your work hours?, (2) do you have screens in your windows?, (3) can you afford a standard vet visit, which can add up to hundreds of dollars?, (4) will you get pet insurance? are you interested in more information about pet insurance?, (5) what will you feed the animal?, (6) how many times a day will you walk the dog?, (6) will you or a walker walk the dog?, (7) do you have pets?, (8) do you have a spouse or roommate?.
Some agreements may include:
-no declawing of cats
-return of animal ONLY to adoption/rescue group; do not give to other shelter or organization.
The transaction of adoption holds no guarantees, but the steps along the way greatly increase the chances of a positive and forever rewarding experience. The better you understand the care with which a good rescue group places their animals and the importance of it, the better equipped you will be to bring a new companion animal into your home and your life.
Why do they have to visit my home?
A good organization will care where their rescued animals are going to live, so some may ask to do a home check. Don’t be offended! It’s only for their liability standards and peace of mind and for the safety of all the animals and the people who want to adopt them. While your home may be a great place for a dog and/or cat to live, another’s may not be, and the only way for the rescue group to know the difference is to ask a lot of questions and, often, see the home themselves.
Why such a laborious process? I want to bring Fido home today!
All great things are worth the wait. Same-day adoptions are rare and even frowned upon in the rescue community. Adopter and adoptee want to avoid the pitfalls of the “impulse buy”, which can result in a bad experience and a return of the animal – this takes up time and energy on everyone’s part and ultimately leads to a sad outcome for the animal. If a person is truly committed, they will follow the adoption process and wait until their new best friend is ready to come home.
I just got home and things aren’t going well. What do I do?
Just like with humans, animals require space and time to adjust to major life changes. Some shelter experiences are very harsh for animals, and they may express their confusion and apprehension in odd ways. It’s no one’s fault – and it’s completely normal. Give your new pet at least 48 hours to adjust fully before making a real assessment of how things are going.
The adoption rep should give you advice on animal care and provide a contact name, phone number/email address that you can use for questions or concerns.
What is fostering? How do I do it?
Fostering is one of the best ways you can help animals and those who work tirelessly for them. By giving a homeless animal a temporary place to live, you are committing to the care of the animal but understanding that the animal is still up for adoption and will be placed in their forever home at some point. The length of fostering varies depending on the needs of the animal and the rescue group, so be sure you know what will work for you and what you can commit to. While fostering, you can take pictures and give updates to the rescue group so they can post it on an animal adoption portal such as petfinder.com or adopt-a-pet.com. You may also be required to bring the animal to adoption events, so be sure to discuss that and all other details before you commit to fostering.
I just adopted my new pet, and I love her! But I want to continue to help. What can I do?
Congratulations. You’ve just made a huge difference in the lives of, not just your new furry family member, but of the people who rescue and care for homeless animals. Plus, by being another example of the rewards and virtues of pet adoption, you have helped the animals still awaiting homes by showing those around you how awesome adoption truly is.
Here’s what else you can do:
Send in your story. The organization you adopted from can post online or in a newsletter their happy endings which encourage more people to adopt and also keep everyone motivated in the mission to save animals’ lives.
Volunteer. If you like manual labor, get on over to a shelter, because they want YOU! Cat cages need cleaning, dogs need walking, and all the animals need fresh food and water multiple times a day. You can also write accounts and anecdotes about your favorite animals. The shelter can post them so potential adopters can learn a little more about the individual animals needing homes.
If you have special skills such as writing, marketing, fundraising, design, photography, event planning, etc., inquire about joining a committee that can utilize such skills.
Check out http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/ for lists of rescue groups, including pure bred dog and cat rescue groups, rabbit and reptile rescue groups, and bird rescue groups in the area.
See http://www.newyorktails.com/ for a COMPLETE list of Halloween pet events in New York City.
Article by Nicole Mak, Rational Animal intern
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