Advice For Your Visit To The Dog Shelter (Part 2)

When you are visiting a dog shelter, be sure to watch the shelter staff members interact with the animals. You'll be able to tell whether they really know and love the dogs or whether they're just feeding and walking them because it's their job. They should be able to talk to you intelligently about the characteristics of the different pups, but they shouldn't be too eager to "make a sale." You want them to be as careful about this adoption as you're going to be; if they seem to want you to pick a dog, any dog, and take her home with you right away, then they aren't looking out for their dogs'  welfare or for yours. Shelters that are too hasty in their matchmaking aren't responsible shelters.

It's important to remember that a well-kept, well-run shelter doesn't have to be a big, snazzy shelter. There are lots of small, no-frills adoption facilities - some that are entirely volunteer operated - which are great places to adopt despite being financially challenged or physically unspectacular. In fact, small shelters with volunteer staffs (we might call them "labor of love" shelters) often know their animals more intimately than large shelters can, and they usually have the time and interest to give every dog and adopter lots of attention. What matters isn't whether a shelter has fancy displays and silver dog dishes, but whether it has clean facilities, an interested and informed staff, and reasonable adoption policies and procedures.

When you visit a shelter, you won't be the only one taking notes and making evaluations; they'll be checking you out, too. Now don't be nervous. This doesn't have to be like meeting your in-laws for the first time. But be aware that adoption is a two-way deal, and the staff members of a really responsible shelter will probably have as many questions for you as you have for them. Be impressed rather than intimidated by their interest, even if their queries occasionally seem nosy or irrelevant. And answer honestly, not defensively or apologetically; after all, you're an intelligent, thoughtful, trustworthy adopter with nothing to hide, right? The shelter employees aren't trying to trick you or trip you up. Remember, the more they know about you and your lifestyle, the better equipped they'll be to help you pick the right pup when the time comes.

Some shelters will ask you (either during this preliminary visit or when you return looking for a dog) to fill out a written "pre-adoption" form before they'll even show you their dogs. These forms aren't binding; they just help the staff get to know you and your needs. Other shelters have "counseling rooms" where staff members will sit and talk with you before taking you to see their animals. Most shelters will simply interview you informally throughout your visit.