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The topic on this page will change periodically. We hope you find the current topic of interest, and informative. Topics presented are penned by various authors associated with the Humane Society of the United States and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Views expressed are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of our staff. Please contact us via
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Animal shelters have a great selection of adult animals for adoption, and many of them also have kittens, puppies and purebred animals. On average, purebreds account for about 25 to 30 percent of a shelter's dog population. Did you know?
Many pets at your local shelter are waiting for new
homes because they were obtained by people with unrealistic expectations
of the time, effort, and money required to sustain a lifelong
relationship with their pet. National figures indicate that about half
of the animals in shelters are euthanized for lack of good homes.
Animals at your local shelter are just waiting for someone like you to
give them a new home. You can depend on responsible shelters to assess the
animals' health and temperament in order to make the best adoption
matches possible. When animals are relinquished by owners, the shelter
staff makes every attempt to collect a thorough history of that pet.
Then, while caring for animals, staff and volunteers try to learn as
much as they can about these animals, as well as those who come to the
shelter as strays. Waiting for just the right one
Don't be discouraged if, when you first visit the
shelter, there are no animals of the breed or type that you want.
Shelters receive new animals every day. Your shelter may also have a
waiting list and can call you when an animal matching your preference
becomes available. Before choosing your pet, you can even speak with an
adoption counselor about whether your choice of a particular type or
breed will be best for you. Shelter advantages
In an effort to make good matches between people and
animals and to place pets in lifelong homes, many shelters provide
adoption counseling and follow-up assistance, such as pet parenting and
dog-training classes, medical services, and behavior counseling. Or they
may be able to refer you to providers of these services. Another advantage to shelter adoptions is that the
fees are usually much less than the purchase price of an animal from a
pet store or breeder. And your new pet is more likely to be vaccinated,
de-wormed, and spayed or neutered. Find a friend
To locate your local animal shelter, check the
Yellow Pages under "animal shelter," "animal
control," or "humane society." Or go online—many
shelters have websites that feature animals available for adoption. Some
sites even allow you to download adoption forms and plan ahead by
providing tips on responsible pet care. About purebred rescue groups
Purebred rescue groups are usually run by people
with in-depth knowledge of a specific breed. Rescue groups keep
adoptable animals until they can be placed in loving, permanent homes.
These animals may come from failed breeding operations; arrive from
boarding kennels and veterinarians, where they were abandoned; be
rescued as strays living on the streets; or be obtained through the
cooperation of local animal shelters. Adoption fees vary, depending on
veterinary and other costs that have been incurred. Follow-up counseling
is usually available. To locate a rescue group that specializes in the
breed of dog or cat that interests you, contact your local animal
shelter, check the classifieds section of the newspaper, or search the
Internet. When you contact a breed rescue group, be sure to
find out as much as you can about the group, how it cares for its
animals, how it decides which animals are adoptable, and what other
adoption and post-adoption services are available.
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