Approximately 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year. While this is a promising statistic, it is also true that about 3 million shelter animals are euthanized each year.
What can we do to change this statistic? Make an effort to adopt more animals from an animal rescue service instead of buying them from puppy mills or pet shops.
Once you start looking for a new furry friend, you’ll find there are tons of animal rescue shelters out there, and they are not all created equal. We have created a guide to help you choose the best one, so keep reading below.
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Consider Adoption Fees
Depending on whether you go with a public or private shelter, the adoption fees can change significantly. Many private shelters will charge more, but they often include getting the animal spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
Make sure you look into what is included with your adoption fees. Often, younger animals such as puppies or highly adoptable breeds will come with a higher adoption fee.
Most shelters will use these funds to help offset the cost of taking care of older or less adoptable breeds for a longer period of time.
Think About Your Preferred Breeds
All rescue shelters will eventually get all types of dog breeds, so if you aren’t that concerned with what breed you get, this won’t matter as much.
However, if you have a specific breed in mind, such as a pomeranian or Irish wolfhound, you might want to look into specific rescue groups that focus on these breeds, such as this Irish wolfhound rescue.
Look Over the Shelter’s Policies
Each dog shelter will have its own policies, so it is essential that you review them and are comfortable with what is required.
For example, some shelters will require home visits, obedience training, and background and reference checks. Others will only require that you fill out an application and prove that you are allowed to have pets at your residence.
Because you’re interested in adopting rescue animals, the process is different than buying a pet at a pet store.
The shelter should have all of its policies and requirements listed on its website so you can review them before meeting with an animal. If you can’t find it, call the shelter before moving forward with the process.
Be Aware of Red Flags
Kennel dogs require extra special care, and the shelter should be transparent with all that they do. If you find an animal rescue service that only has very young dogs or puppies, this may indicate that the shelter is not a shelter at all but a puppy mill.
The more information you can get on the shelter, the better. If you feel like something is off, it’s best to do your own research or choose a different place.
There is no higher power that regulates animal shelters, so it is up to you to make sure you are finding one that is genuinely rescuing animals.
Choose the Best Animal Rescue Service
Anyone who wants to rescue an animal has a big heart, so finding the best animal rescue service is essential. You want to find your new furry best friend and make sure you are doing so in a responsible way.
Use these tips above, and you’ll be sure to be bringing your rescue animal home in no time.
If you would like more articles related to animals, browse through our collection of blog posts!