Classic Corbin Park NA

Pet Adoptions

Note:

So you've decided to obtain a new pet for your household. Before you purchase a new pet, why not check out your area animal shelter or humane society? By adopting from a shelter, you not only save the life of the animal you adopt, but also the lives of all those animals awaiting a vacancy in the shelter so they will have a place to go. Here are some tips and tricks so that both you and your pet will be happy!!

How to Pick Your Dog

After deciding what kind of pet is best for your household (another article altogether), visit the shelter to find the perfect addition to your family. Upon arrival, walk through the kennel in its entirety to view all dogs. Carry a notepad and pen so you can jot down the run number of all the dogs that catch your eye.
Next trip through, stop at each selected run to visit with the dogs. Do not hesitate to ask the kennel manager questions about the dogs -- although most may be strays and the volunteers may know little about the dog prior to its arrival, many are surrendered by their owners for one reason or another. For example, a family may have both a dog and a cat which do not get along, and the members may decide they like the cat better, so they take the dog to the shelter. Another dog may be surrendered because he decided to begin roaming the neighborhood looking for ladies. In both cases, the solution is simple: the first dog can be adopted into a home without a cat, and the roaming male can be neutered (as he will be if adopted) and kept in a fenced area. One family's problem dog may be your friend for life.

Try to determine the dog's terperament:

· Is he rowdy or laid-back?

· Does he bark anxiously or
quietly await your caresses?

· Does he cower at your touch or
jump up on you, or neither?

· Ask about obedience training,
some kennels have volunteers
come in to train the dogs and
make them more placeable.

· Discuss with kennel volunteers
their experiences with the dog
and how he or she behaves.

· If you find a dog that you
think you like, have it
removed from the run so you
can spend a little time with
it. It would not be unusual
for a timid dog in the shelter
to come out of its shell so to
speak once you get it home, so
don't be discouraged by the
tucked tail and silent stares.

· A pup that just crouches at
your feet in the noisy kennel
may quickly pounce on that
bouncing ball once you get it
home.