Shelters and Pounds

Good dogs often show up in animal shelters. Some are turned in by their owners for reasons much like those given in the rescue section you just read. Some are strays whose owners never bail them out. Many wonderful pets are adopted from shelters, but it pays to understand a bit about shelters and shelter animals before you adopt.

Adopting a dog from a shelter can be rewarding if you prepare ahead of time to select the right one. You save a life and gain a wonderful friend and companion. Adopting a shelter dog is usually less expensive than getting one from a breeder. Shelter dogs, especially those turned in by their owners, may already be housetrained and have some manners, although few have had much training. Most will be more than a year old and full grown; new owners won't have to wonder how big he'll get or how much grooming she'll need.

Most states require each county to maintain a facility for the impoundment of stray animals. Local law enforcement often works with these facilities to enforce laws against animal cruelty and neglect. These public shelters are sometimes run as government agencies or are contracted out to private organizations. They are usually funded by tax dollars, dog and cat licensing fees, loose-dog and other fines, donations, grants, and adoption fees.

Private shelters vary widely in their policies and practices. Some work much like public shelters, except that they don't receive public monies. Some accept any animal in need, but because space is limited, they must limit how long they can keep each animal before turning to euthanasia to make room for another. Others, sometimes called “no-kill” shelters, do not euthanize healthy animals to make room for others. That sounds great, but such shelters turn away many animals. The reality is that the paid staff and the volunteers in private animal shelters are nearly all there because they love animals. They work hard to find homes for the ones in their care, and they mourn the ones that must die or be turned away from their doors.

If you're looking for a dog from a shelter, you should be aware that although some shelter workers are knowledgeable about dogs, some are not. Shelter staff are usually dedicated and caring people, but some are not able to identify and differentiate breeds accurately. A dog doesn't have to be a purebred to be a great pet, but if you want to be reasonably certain of getting a dog with the traits typical of a specific breed, take along someone who knows the breed well to help you evaluate candidates.

Find out how dogs are evaluated when they arrive at the shelter, who does the evaluation, and what is included in the evaluation. Some shelters have all incoming dogs examined by a veterinarian and checked for heartworms and intestinal parasites. Some evaluate the dog's temperament and behavior in the shelter, and, when possible, keep notes about the dog's health care and behavior in his previous home. But many shelters lack the resources to provide such in-depth services and have to get by with minimal evaluations.

Not all shelter staff are able to evaluate canine behavior effectively or to assist adopters with difficulties after the adoption. If you're thinking of adopting, ask lots of questions. Find out whether anything is known about the dog's background, and ask what steps have been taken to evaluate his temperament. Many shelter dogs make great pets, but unfortunately some are there due to problems, such as aggression. Others will do well with the right owners, but may not be right for you. If you are the least bit uneasy about a dog's behavior, walk away. And if you don't feel that the shelter staff can offer you the advice and support you need, find another shelter or a rescue group.

When you visit the shelter, be alert to the physical environment. There will undoubtedly be a strong sense of dog in the air, but in general the place should seem clean. Ideally, dogs will not have physical contact with their neighbors, because nose-to-nose contact can quickly spread distemper, kennel cough, other diseases, and fleas. Feces spread from one kennel run to another can also spread diseases as well as intestinal parasites. Dogs in the adoptions area should appear fairly healthy. They may be thin and in need of a good grooming, but should not have discharge from their eyes or noses, and should not be coughing. Remember, if you adopt a dog that is ill, you can carry the disease home to any dogs you have and to your neighbors' dogs if they have contact or walk in the same areas.

If the shelter doesn't seem clean, or the dogs don't appear to be reasonably healthy, be cautious. Either adopt elsewhere or, if you really want a particular dog, consider taking him directly to your veterinarian for a thorough exam and possible quarantine before taking him home. Or quarantine him from your other dog at home until you're sure he isn't carrying any contagious disease. Many minor problems can be cleared up with good food, exercise, and care, but if you have another dog at home, it still pays to be cautious.

To adopt a dog from a shelter, you usually have to complete an application that asks for proof of residence and age, your experience as a pet owner, references, and, if you rent, the name and phone number of your landlord.

The next step is to choose your dog. A walk through the adoption area can be overwhelming—there are just so many dogs in need of homes. You can't take them all (really, you can't!), so before you go, make a list of the traits you want and the traits you don't want. Your list will keep you on track. Remember to include size (or potential size if you're looking at puppies), temperament, sex, type of coat and grooming required, and age. It's all too easy to lose your heart to every pair of big doggy eyes you see, so remember that many of those dogs are there because someone chose badly. For the sake of the dog, don't repeat the previous owner's mistake.

When you have chosen the dog you'd like to adopt, you usually have to wait from 24 to 48 hours before taking him home. This is to let you sleep on it and be sure this is the right decision, and to give your family time to talk over any concerns. It also gives the shelter staff time to check the information you provided. They want to be sure the animals they care for and send back into the world will be well cared for. You will probably pay an adoption fee, which may or may not include the cost of spaying or neutering your new buddy.

Dogs don't always appear at their best in a shelter environment. Many will be overly excited, or depressed and quiet, or downright scared. If you see a fellow you think you might like, ask if he can be taken to a quiet place where you can interact with him. Sit quietly for a while and see what happens. Maybe have a few treats in your pocket to show him you're a pretty good person. Your whole family should meet the dog before you decide for sure, but try to keep the initial meeting calm. Explain to your children that the dog may be a little afraid—kids are usually very sympathetic and gentle when they understand that.

When you officially adopt your dog, you'll probably sign a contract that will require you to keep the dog as a pet; to provide proper housing, food, and veterinary care; to have the dog spayed or neutered if that hasn't already been done; to allow postadoption visits by shelter staff; and to return the dog to the shelter if you can no longer keep him or her.

Adoption fees vary from shelter to shelter, depending on what services the shelter provides prior to adoption and also on the shelter's funding and budget. If you're so inclined, all shelters appreciate a little extra donation.

Please be just as careful in choosing a dog to adopt as you would be if you were choosing a dog to purchase. You don't want to end up with the wrong sort of dog, and nobody wants the dog to end up back at the shelter.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting and Owning a Dog © 2003 by Sheila Webster Boneham, Ph.D. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To order this book visit the Idiot's Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.