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Rescue Shelters for Dogs
by Contributing Writer
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Overview
Rescue Shelters for Dogs
Dog lovers don't need to spend a lot of money for a perfect pet. There are plenty available at rescue shelters for dogs. You'll find a best friend and perhaps save a life.
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Types of Shelters for Dogs
There are two types of shelters for dogs. Many towns run what are known as "kill shelters," where dogs that are found or abandoned are euthanized if they're not adopted in a certain number of days. There are also "no-kill shelters" where, as the name implies, the animals are not killed. You can contact your local town hall or search online for a shelter near you.
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Types of Dogs
In some cases, you can find purebreds at shelters for dogs. Workers at one of the big shelters in the New York area, the North Shore Animal League America, often go to puppy mills and rescue purebred dogs who are neglected. Those dogs are then available for adoption. But in most cases, even at North Shore, you'll find mixed-breed dogs, or mutts.
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Meeting the Dog
In most shelters, you can walk around and look at the dogs available. Once you find one that you might be interested in, a shelter worker or volunteer will take it out on a leash and let you interact with the dog in a socialization room or outside area.
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Paperwork
Before you adopt a dog you'll be asked to fill out paperwork with your name, address, job, hours you work, number of children in the family, and other information relevant to caring for a dog. Some shelters also have a worker visit your home before you're approved to adopt.
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Spaying/Neutering
Most shelters are trying to combat pet overpopulation, to decrease the number of dogs that end up in shelters. For that reason, they'll spay or neuter dogs that are old enough or they'll require you to get your dog spayed or neutered if you adopt.
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Fees
Many shelters charge a fee for adoption. In many cases, shelters are nonprofits and depend on donations to keep running. Overall, it's a good idea to research the fees and procedures before you go. In many cases, you can find information online about your local shelter and even pictures of some of the dogs that are available for adoption.
