Finding a pet at your local shelter

Thinking about a furry addition to the family? If you're reading this, you're already on your way to responsible pet ownership. Adopting a homeless animal is simply the right thing to do. Yes, you'll have that warm glow from knowing you've saved a life – but there are many other excellent reasons to adopt from your local shelter or rescue group:

Selection, selection, selection!

Shelters are full of great animals, with differing personalities, in all sizes, shapes and colors. And we're not just talking dogs and cats – depending on the shelter, you'll find rabbits, birds and all manner of little critters from gerbils to geckos to guinea pigs.

• The price is right. Adoption fees are far less than a pet store or breeder's price. And in many shelters, that fee also includes training materials, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery (if the animal has not already been neutered) and follow-up veterinary care.
• The pets available for adoption at most shelters have already been screened for major health and behavior problems. Sadly, we can't say the same for all animals at pet stores or found via free-to-good-home ads.

In pursuit of your pet

All clear on the hands-down best place to find your newest family member? That's the easy part! The real trick is finding a good match – for you, for the animal, and for your family's lifestyle. The following tips will help you make a well-informed decision:

• Speak up! Before you even set foot in the shelter, it's a good idea to sit down with everyone in the household and decide what kind of pet you want and why. Ideally, everyone should be willing to contribute to this animal's care, but it's also smart to designate a primary caretaker. And did you know that the average annual cost of food, supplies, medical care and training for a dog or cat is $400 to $700? Find out exactly what you'll need to properly care for this animal. This is especially important if you're a first-time pet owner, or are interested in a type of pet that has very specific needs. Next, make up a weekly schedule, and assign feeding, grooming, walking/playing and other tasks necessary to your pet's health and happiness.
• If your heart is set on a purebred, find out as much as you can before you bring one home. You'd be surprised at the number of purebreds turned in to shelters – simply because the former owner didn't bank on having to brush her Himalayan every day, or wasn't sure what to do when his bored retriever began chewing the apartment to bits. In fact, about 25 percent of dogs who enter local shelters are purebreds. Don't give up if your shelter doesn't have an Egyptian Mau or an Irish Setter on your first visit. Most shelters will put you on a waiting list, and you can also find a breed-rescue group online.
• You don't have to bring home the first dog (cat, bird, rat, etc.) you see! A trip to the shelter can be very emotional, and when greeted by a particular pair of big soulful brown eyes, it's easy to say, "I'll take him, and his brother and sister, too!" But in the long run, this may not be in the animal's (or your) best interests. You're allowed, and encouraged, to take your time. And you're allowed to come back next week, and the week after! It's smart to make a "no-impulse-buying" pact with yourself, to ensure the absolute-best decision.
• Take advantage of the shelter staffers! Adoptions counselors and rescue-group volunteers have seen countless human-animal matches, some that are made in heaven, others that are not. Ask them to suggest the best pets for you and your family. You may be surprised at how insightful their choices are.
• Select several potentially good matches, and take time to find out all you can about these animals. How did they come to be at the shelter? Any medical conditions? Are they sassy, sweet, high-energy, low key, etc.? Ask the staff to let you spend time with them (one at a time, of course) out of the cage in a quiet area. It's ideal if you can take canine candidates on a short leash walk. It's hard to tell exactly what a pet will be like in your home, but even ten minutes of get-acquainted time can give you some important clues.
• Once you've done the initial screening and have found your potential perfect companion, make an appointment for the whole family to meet him or her. It's important that everyone feels involved in the decision-making process. And if you're adopting a second dog, some rescue groups may recommend a supervised meeting with your resident canine.
• Take whatever they'll give! Don't forget to find out about the shelter's post-adoptive support programs, such as behavior consultations, basic training classes and follow-up veterinary visits. Remember, the shelter staff wants your new family member to fit in just as much as you do!