Again, look at shelters to adopt your animal. Abbout 25% to 30% of a shelter’s population are dogs. Many pets at your local shelter are waiting for new homes because somone wanted an animal and was not aware of how much time and commitment is required to actually keep an animal. Some fell in love with a cute looking puppy and as it turned out to be the size of a St. Bernard, they gave up. Some had to give away their animals because of moving and the new landlord did not allow pets. I always say if a landlord does not allow pets I don’t want to be his tenant.

Responsible shelters screen the animals for good health and temperament. While caring for animals, staff and volunteers try to learn as much as they can about these animals to be able to give the new owner as much information as possible.

Don’t be discouraged if you can’t find the breed or type of animal you want at a specific shelter. Shelters receive new animals every day, or more often. Some offer a waiting list and you can call when something you have in mind becomes available. Or, let the animal choose YOU as it’s owner. Many animal lovers had just walked into a shelter, looked at the dogs and cats in cages and found one that demanded the most attention. That happend with my cat. She looked at me and never let me out of her eyesight. I walked by her 3 times, she just stared at me and started meowing, telling me: “About time you came, take me home”. Many people report similar experiences with their pets. Animals have great instincts, if a dog or a cat chooses you, feel rewarded and honored, follow it’s instinct.

Many shelters provide adoption counseling and follow-up assistance, such as calling you, checking on the pet, or offering dog-training classes, etc. They also have normally a list of trutsed veterinarians if you happen to look for one.

Shelter adoption fees are usually a fraction of the price you normally pay for a purchased animal from a breeder or a pet store. In 99% of the cases the animal will have a clean bill of health and all shots.

Local shelters can be found in the Yellow Pages of your phone book, or on the Internet, using a “local” search term. The humane society can also help you locating one of the many shelters. Several have their own websites and display quite a few of their animals that are ready for adoption. The websites Pets911, Petfinder, and 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com are working together with shelters and show animals ready for adoption.