Are you ready to adopt a pet?

September 28, 2014

by Natalie Secretan

Are you ready to adopt a pet?When I think of adopting a pet, PetFinder and AdoptaPet come to mind. After spending a good part of my summer looking for a dog to adopt, I became very familiar with these websites. Both sites offer the same service – a detailed search for just about any pet from horses to guinea pigs, dogs and cats – but PetFinder can be slow to download and freezes a lot of the time.

One thing you’ll learn from spending time of these sites is that not all animal rescues are the same. So you need to be aware and look for signs of authenticity.

How to spot a pet adoption scam

  • What kind of questions do they ask?
  • Is there a detailed questionnaire?
  • Is there a legitimate adoption process?
  • How difficult do they make it for you to adopt a pet?
  • Do they take the time to update their pet profiles?
  • Do they give detailed and honest accounts of each pet?
  • Do they ask for money upfront for things like delivery?
  • Do they offer free delivery?
  • Are they giving away pets for free?
  • Do they display other questionable tactics?

Take your time when adopting a pet. This is a long-term relationship you’re embarking upon – a huge commitment for the next decade or so. So take the time to read the pet profiles and do some research into different breeds and different organizations before you adopt a pet. Make sure you check out your local animal shelters first, as these places have a higher turnover and you could truly be saving an animal’s life.

Just remember, you can always foster a pet before making a long-term commitment like adoption. Not only will you be rescuing a loving animal in need, you’ll also have a chance to get familiar with different breeds and this will help in your decision to adopt a pet.

Are you ready to adopt a pet?

  • Do you have the time to raise a demanding pet like a puppy?
  • Are you looking for a younger or older pet?
  • Do you have the money to care for a pet?
  • Do you have the space for a pet?
  • How much money do you want to spend on grooming a pet like a dog?
  • Are you prepared for behavioral problems with some pets?

Resources:  Bruce Fogle, Dog: The Definitive Guide for Dog Owners (New York: Firefly Books, 2010).

Image: Pippalou, MorgueFile