How to Adopt a Dog From the SPCA

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Know that you must be at least 18 years of age to adopt a dog from the SPCA. In addition, you must have a valid form of identification showing your current address. Check with your landlord prior to coming to the SPCA to verify that you are allowed to have a dog in your apartment or rental home if you do not own your own home. Be prepared to bring this verification with you to the SPCA adoption center.
Step 2:
Decide what type of dog you want to adopt from the SPCA before you come to view the dogs. Consider if you want a small dog, larger dog, a puppy, an older dog, a calm dog or a dog full of energy. The dog you adopt needs to fit your temperament and lifestyle. This should be a family decision. If your children are young, consider what types of dogs will be best suited to young children. This dog will become a member of your family, so consideration to the type of dog is extremely important.
Step 3:
Fill out the preliminary adoption questionnaire at the SPCA. Your ability to provide a good home with proper care and love is considered by the SPCA. They may have questions regarding your lawn size, fenced yard, number of children, where your pet will sleep, where you will feed and water the dog, other dogs in your home and the breeds of the other dogs you may have. Their goal is to help you find the dog to adopt that will best fit into your family and lifestyle. Some facilities have a "doggie profile" for you to fill out as well. This helps you to know what type of dog you should be looking for.
Step 4:
Bring your children with you to help in the selection of a dog to adopt. It is important to watch how the dogs and the children relate to one another. Take into consideration the types of dogs that were determined in the profile that would best fit your family. If you already have a dog, bring your current dog to the SPCA, so that the two dogs can "meet" to see how they respond to each other before you make that final commitment.
Step 5:
Decide on the perfect dog that brings immediate joy to your heart. But be realistic about preparing to bring home your newly adopted dog from the SPCA. While your new dog is going through his or her final checks with the vets, prepare your home for the new arrival. Make sure you have a crate, sleeping area, food and water ready and put away any breakable items in your home depending on the size of the dog. Also, you may consider gating off areas of your home so that your new dog will be allowed to get used to a small area of the home at a time and you can keep a better eye on the new member of the family.
Step 6:
Say goodbye to the helpful staff at the SPCA and bring home your new dog. You will have paid for your adoption fee, which will include cost for your dog to be spayed or neutered. In addition, they will usually send you home with a new dog kit that may include some pet food, pet samples and maybe a DVD on pet care. Follow the directions given to you by the staff for follow up visits or additional shots needed by a vet at the appropriate times and dates.
Step 7:
Plan to spend the entire day with your new dog. Your dog is going through a major change in its life and may be nervous, so do not overwhelm your dog on your first day home. It won't be too long until your adopted dog from the SPCA is a very important loving part of your family.

Tips & Warnings

Remember that adopting a dog from the SPCA is a commitment for the lifetime of the dog. It is a commitment that will be rewarded with a "lifetime of love."

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