How do I adopt a pet from a shelter and what are the fees?

Yes, adoption fees have become quite high for rescue/shelter dogs. But there is something else for you to consider before you sign on the dotted line. The adoption fee is just the beginning. You must also be able to afford food, routine veterinary care, vaccinations, special medications, possibly grooming, and any other "surprises" that may come up over the course of the dog's life. If you feel you will be able to handle additional, unforeseen costs, you might try city or town shelters rather than the private ones. You can Google "dogs for adoption in (your state)" and you will see all the dogs available in that state. But please remember that the only thing worse than a dog being in a shelter is that dog having to return to the shelter if money runs out.

Adopting a new dog is so much fun! Whenever bringing a new dog into the home, it should be done slowly with the existing animals already there to make the transition smoothly. The new dog should be kept separated from the other animals when home alone to avoid any problems, and their interactions should be monitored when you are home so you can separate them at any problem. I'm not sure if you have any additional animals in the home, but if you have cats for example, it's normal they will hiss at the dog. Do not allow them to swipe at the dog, separating them right away if you notice the cat getting upset. Also do not allow the dog to chase the cats. If you don't have any other animals in your home, then just be patient with the dog as it acclimates to his new house. Moving into a new home can be stressful, and some dogs may not eat or drink at first. This will pass in time. Shelter dogs should be taken care of just like any other dog: Fed twice a day, make sure they are up to date on their vaccines, flea and deworming treatments, and feed them a high quality dog food :-)

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Adopting a pet is a great option and certainly helps those pets in need of a home so thank you for looking into adopting! Some shelters will have an affiliation program with nearby veterinary clinics where the clinic will provide you with a free examination to establish yourself there. I would ask the shelters if they have such a program. When going to the veterinarian, I would ensure that you are looking at preventative care (heartworm and flea / tick prevention). The shelter should have most vaccinations up to date but if it is a puppy, you may have to repeat several vaccination rounds. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

In order to give you good advice we will need a little bit more information please. What kind of dog do you want to adopt, who is adopting it out, etc. Please let us know and ask again and we will be glad to help you.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is a personal choice. Some people like certain breeds so they purchase a puppy from a breeder. Or want to be able to raise a puppy and not get a dog who has been living in many homes. And there are people who find it unethical to buy dogs when so many are available through rescues and shelters. You can't get wrapped up on what other people do or tell you to do. Good luck!

I think Muffin is adorable and would love to have a forever home. I would look on the website to find out exactly where she is located and try to go meet her if possible. I would also call the adoption agency where she located and talk to them about her personality, any health problems she may have, her vaccine history, whether or not she has been spayed and details about adopting her. All this information is important to ensure she is healthy, to know what type of maintence and cost she may need in th future, and to ensure she is a good fit for your family. I hope this helps! And good luck - she is a cutie!!

You can find people giving them away for free on places like Craigslist. However, these cats may or may not be healthy and will need some level of basic veterinary care (vaccines, spay/neuter and deworming), which can be $300 or more. The most cost-effective option for getting a cat is through a reputable, local shelter (i.e. SPCA, Humane Society, etc.). They will charge an adoption fee (about $100- $150), but you will be getting a cat that has been checked by a veterinarian, vaccinated, spay/neutered, dewormed and other treatment or testing as necessary. I hope that helps and all goes well with your search.