Pet Adoption
Do a good deed and adopt a pet
Pet adoption matches abandoned, neglected or abused animals with loving new owners. It's a socially responsible way to approach pet ownership, since you're taking stray animals off the streets and helping animal rights societies control their populations. Moreover, it's a great way to save money on the cost of your new pet, since pet adoption costs far less than purchasing a puppy or kitten. In some cases, there may be no charge at all to use the services of a pet adoption agency.
Popular Pet Adoption Agencies and Organizations
The Humane Society of the United States is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing animals from abusive or life-threatening situations. If a stray cat or dog is injured or found in public and its owner cannot be identified, the Humane Society helps rehabilitate the animal and place it in a new home.
Similarly, the SPCA is an international organization founded to defend animal rights. The SPCA responds to thousands of calls every year reporting the mistreatment, abuse or neglect of animals, removing pets from undesirable living situations and sheltering them until a new, loving home can be found. The society may also recommend charges to be laid against people who perpetrate crimes of animal cruelty.
What to Expect From a Pet Adoption Agency
When you deal with a pet adoption agency, you should be prepared for some sort of screening procedure – after all, these agencies must ensure the animals they place are going to loving, caring homes. While each individual pet adoption agency has its own protocols, it's fairly common practice to ask prospective pet adopters to fill out a lifestyle questionnaire, complete an application or attend an interview. You will also be asked to sign a contract by the pet adoption agency, pledging your commitment to the animal and making your legal responsibilities binding.
Online pet adoption has become common practice in the age of the Internet. Going this route allows you greater freedom to pick and choose the age and breed of the dog or cat you wish to adopt, as online pet adoption lets you connect with a much broader range of available animals than you'd find at your local SPCA or Humane Society. Again, you should be prepared to provide the same documentation you'd bring to a live agency, including your driver's license or other government-issued photo ID and proof of home ownership or your rental agreement if you live in a rented unit.
