There are many reasons why adopting a pet can be great for your household. You’re saving a life. You can find a great match for your lifestyle. Your dog will have been screened. Your chosen dog may already have training basics down pat. An adopted dog costs less. Sounds perfect, right?
Adopting a dog through a rescue facility means you’ll get first-hand knowledge about the dog you’re bringing home. In return, they’ll want to know a bit about you. Are you truly ready and qualified to adopt a dog? Rescues want to make sure their fur babies (many of whom they’ve saved from illness, abuse and death) are placed in permanent, loving homes where they will be well taken care of for the rest of their lives. This requires a bit of research into yourself as a future dog owner.
How to ensure you’re ready to be an adopted pet owner
When undergoing the screening process for adopting a pet, the rescue facility may ask you a series of questions. Expect one to two pages of basic questions, most of which focus on your home, lifestyle and reasons for adopting a dog.
Questions may include:
What’s your motivation to have a dog?
Think about why you want to bring a rescue dog home with you. Is it for companionship because you’ve been feeling a little lonely? Is it to gain an exercise buddy who will encourage you to get out and walk more? Perhaps it’s for the kids to learn some lessons about unconditional love and responsibility?
Whatever your motivation is, try to pinpoint it. This way you can ensure your reason for having a dog is sustainable and that you’re not adopting a dog purely with the current moment in mind. Your reason for wanting a dog should have the long-term in mind and not be impulsive.
Is your living arrangement stable?
Not every dog owner has to live in a big house with a large garden for the dog to run around in. As long as they get exercised regularly, many dogs are content with apartment living.
The type of home you live in isn’t as important as how stable it is. This is because a change of living situation, where pets are not allowed, is the number one reason why pets end up in shelters.
If you’re renting your home, talk to your landlord about your desire to get a dog. If they say yes to a pet tenant, are there any rules you should be following in regards to breed or size? It can be tempting to sneak a dog into your rental if you’re not allowed a pet, but this is never a good idea. The last thing you want is to be evicted and facing entry into the rental market again. Finding a rental with a dog can be difficult.
Is your living arrangement safe?
As a pet guardian, your primary responsibility will be to keep your dog safe. While the size and type of your home may not matter, the safety aspects of your home do. Is it safe for curious pets? Is your yard fenced? Is the pool area closed off? Is there any risk of a high fall? Asking yourself questions about safety will ensure you have everything in place ready for your pup’s arrival.
How often are you around?
Pets require a lot of time and if you travel a lot or work long hours away from the home, adopting a dog might not be the right thing to do. How much time your dog needs to spend with you will vary, but as a guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis. This can be broken up into chunks of time during the day, and spread across different people in your family.
If you travel often, you’ll want to be sure you can take your dog with you or that you have a trusted person to care for your dog. Older adopted dogs can have attachment and loss issues and security is a big thing for them. Spending time with an older rescue dog is crucial, as this will help to build trust.
Are you committed to exercise?
For a dog, physical inactivity can lead to obesity, depression and unwanted behaviours that come out of boredom. A dog is unlikely to get enough exercise by himself, even with a big backyard, so you must make a conscious effort to walk him every day or set aside time for exercise. This time is as much about bonding with each other as it is about keeping each other healthy and happy.
Can I afford a dog?
Acquiring a dog from a shelter may cost less than buying a dog from a breeder, but there are still costs you need to factor in. Many of these costs are ongoing and you may be surprised by what they add up to. Will your financial bandwidth allow for ongoing costs?
Your dog will need a comfy bed, a collar, a lead, safe toys to play with, a crate, grooming products, food and regular checkups with a vet for vaccinations, wellness checks, dental procedures and other general health care. These visits don’t come cheap, so you must be sure you can afford appropriate care both on a regular basis and if a health emergency were to arise.
Does my family want a dog?
If it’s not just you in the household, ask all others if they are ready for a dog. It’s easier to introduce a new pet if the entire family enthusiastically supports the decision.
If you have young children in your home, think about how they will react. Pets and kids who grow up together is a beautiful experience to watch, but your children should be old enough to understand how to behave when interacting with a dog. Pulling ears and tails and climbing all over them are “no-no’s”. If you’re worried, you could consider designating an area of the home where your dog can go for some alone time.
Knowing when you’re ready
Becoming a dog parent is a big responsibility. By answering questions about yourself you can better understand if you’re ready for the job.
There is no such thing as being ‘over-prepared’ when it comes to bringing a furry friend home. Do your research and gather as much information as you can. Talk to people who have gone through the dog adoption process and talk to owners of the breed you are considering adopting. Stay up-to-date about dog care needs and set aside the time to learn. This time can later be used to spend with your dog once he’s home.
Knowing you’re ready for an adopted dog is knowing you’ve done sufficient soul searching and that your reasons for getting an adopted dog are just. Tick the boxes of safety and security and you’re ready to welcome some furry love into your life. Enjoy.
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