Adopting a dog is fairly simple, but a responsible owner needs to know all of the steps, both official and unofficial. You want to save a life and gain a new friend in the process, sometimes even an emotional support partner. With 3.3 million dogs currently in shelters around the United States, according to the ASPCA, there are many opportunities for pet owners to choose their ideal canine.

The reason why some people go with breeders as opposed to adopting is that they will know who the parents are, and thus have educated guesses about personalities and health. With that said, buying a pedigree means that a rescue loses the opportunity to get home. Adopting from an animal shelter means that you pay less and improve one dog’s well-being at the same time.

These steps help make the process easier. That way you and your pet will have as little stress as people and handle potential obstacles proactively.

Check Lease And Residential Policies

If you’re renting an apartment or a house, review your lease to make sure that you can own a pet. Landlords will specify if you can own a dog, cat, or another type of pet. If they say no, and will not negotiate, then you either need to move to a more accommodating home or abort the process. A pet owner and their new dog would rather not find each other through a shelter, only for circumstances to separate them.

When you’re a homeowner or in a condominium, do the same with potential neighborhood rules or HOAs. These include if you are obligated to pick up after your pet on walks and if they need to stay on-leash when away from your house or space. While some HOAs are more forgiving than others, a few have arbitrary rules about gardens and fences, which a pet can disrupt. Checking them ahead of time can save you from fines or citations from a local organization.

If you’re a constant traveler and want to take your dog with you, do the same with hotels, rentals, and AirBnBs. Find out regulations and rules for airlines, public transportation, taxis, and ride-shares. Some places are amenable to temporarily housing pets if the kennel is not a good option. As an added benefit, some dogs with separation anxiety will appreciate coming along for the trip and you can create evacuation plans in the case of natural disasters.

Assess Breeds And Mixes That Match Your Lifestyle

While not all dogs from the same breed are cookie-cutter in terms of looks or personality, you can assess their skills, quirks, health, and energy level based on the type. Different breeds have various strengths, from speed to strength to fetching. Others are made for sitting on humans’ laps and looking pretty, like the Pekingese. Individual dogs may have various preferences, such as if they are good for children or other pets.

Maintenance also matters, for physical health. If you have a long-haired breed, they require constant grooming. Otherwise, they will suffer painful mats that pull at the skin. Some may even require professional grooming services once or twice a year.

Short-haired breeds are less maintenance, especially those that are hypoallergenic. Nevertheless, they may require bathing from time to time. All dogs need their teeth brushed as well, and to have their toenails clipped.

Exercise space is another factor. Some breeds like Huskies need to be walked and played with constantly so that they don’t act up out of boredom. Others like greyhounds, contrary to popular belief and about their racing habits, are happy to chill. Size also doesn’t denote if a pet will by hyper or not; some miniature breeds like Yorkshire terriers will enjoy zooming around and barking at every new person or creature.

When looking at pet profiles on websites, check their personalities to see their needs. Some may be fine with small children, other dogs, or cats. It depends on the individual dog, how they’ve been raised, and their interactions with you. Some shelters, with stay-at-home restrictions, can schedule appointments if you wish to mee them in person.

Budget For Adoption Fees And Veterinary Costs

When adopting a pet, research the costs for their yearly healthcare, as well as acquiring them. Many pet owners have been forced to surrender their dogs or cats when no longer able to maintain upkeep.

Some shelters will charge adoption fees, or to cover health costs such as shots, deworming, spaying, or neutering. They may also implant a microchip so that you can always find your dog if during an emergency or worst-case scenario, that they get lost. A shelter taking care of this saves you proactively from having a sick dog, or one prone to entering heat. Dogs that are spayed and neutered also are less temperamental and are easier to train.

Decide if you want to get health insurance for your dog. This is especially important if you adopt one with special needs or from a breed that has potential genetic defects. Since there is less focus on pet emergencies as opposed to human ones, there is a high risk of medications and surgeries costing outrageous amounts. Health insurance can help with reducing costs, if you choose an appropriate policy.

Prepare Your Home for A Dog’s Safety

This applies regardless of the breed you have. Dogs are similar to small children in that they can get into and out of trouble easily. Much as you babyproof a house to protect an infant, you need to dogproof a house for your new pet’s well-being.
Hide electrical cords, or encase them in protective coverings; dogs chewing on these risk electrocution. Remove clutter such as laundry or shoes, and get a heavy-duty garbage can that they can’t knock down for food scraps. Limit access to rooms if you want to avoid dog messes.
If you are training them for indoor bathroom breaks, have newspapers or Wee pads out in designated areas. Install a dog door if you wish for them to have access to the nearby yards. With breeds such as Labradors, make sure they can’t jump over your fences or dig to escape.

Consider Remote Adoption

Suppose you perform the following steps and realize that you cannot house a dog. It could be due to apartment rental policies, lack of funds, the inability to dogproof your home, or a family member having allergies. You can still adopt, however, remotely.

Remote adoption involves paying for an animal’s well-being while receiving updates on them. Wildlife centers offer this to help endangered species, and the same principle can benefit domesticated breeds.

Why do remote adoption? It can satisfy your needs to own a dog while also helping those that are less likely to be adopted. Some dogs are in shelters for years due to disabilities or age. You can increase their quality of life while knowing caretakers are handling their well-being. It gives those are rehomed a second chance at adoption, and adds joy to your life.

Adopt A Dog In Miami With Rescue Strays

Rescue Strays Corp. wants to ease the adoption process for would-be pet owners. Our team of animal lovers creates remote adoption, to help those that cannot visit a shelter in-person. We want to find a good match for humans, dogs, and cats, to build bonds that last for a lifetime.

Reach out to us today to get started with the adoption process. Rescue Strays wants to give every animal a chance to find a new home and a human the opportunity to find their newest pet. Trust us on this journey to pair you perfectly.