Before adopting a pet, there is some information you need to know. Let make clear that I do not recommend obtaining a pet from pet stores or non-certified breeders (aka backyard breeders).
A Pet Shelter is usually run by a city or municipality. There are two kinds of pet shelters. An Open Access Shelter is one that accepts all unwanted pets that comes through their doors but may euthanize some if they run out of space. A Limited Access Shelter is the one that only accepts pets that they consider highly adoptable. A Humane Society is managed by a non-profit organization and work similarly as the Open Access Shelter.
A Rescue Group can be operated by one person or a private not- for-profit organization. The rescue group may own a building, but in most instances, they house the pets in foster homes or local kennels. Rescue Groups usually works under the same conditions of a Limited Access Shelter as they concentrate their efforts on animals that are most likely to find a home.
Before you take the decision to adopt a pet from a shelter or a rescue group ask yourself the following questions:
Do you want a pet?
Do you have enough free-time to spend with a pet?
Do other members of your family want a pet?
Does everyone at home agree about the breed, size, and gender of pet?
Is anyone in your family allergic to pets?
Did everyone in the household agree to take care of the pet?
Can your family afford veterinary care and yearly food expenses?
The primary goal of a rescue group is to make sure they find the right family for every pet under they care. That is the reason they are going to ask you a lot of questions during the process of adoption. Some of the questions are going to be about your lifestyle, size of your family and work schedule. They are not trying to be noisy. They just want to make sure you and the pet are a good match.
Rescue groups usually include the cost of vaccinations and spay /neuter surgeries in their adoption fee. May sure you read the adoption contract and understand what services are covering by the adoption fee.
Hope this post is useful for all of you planning to adopt a pet in the future.
Cordially,
J. Feneque, DVM
Veterinary Medical Center Of Clayton
Forest Park, Georgia USA