Society of Greater Dayton.

Adopting a new dog or puppy is an exciting and sometimes scary endeavor.

But we're going to take some of the scary out of the equation by walking

through some of the biggest barriers to adoption.

Then we'll get you and your family to find just the right dog for your home.

Shelter pets can seem like a gamble, but they're actually great way to add

a new member to your family.

The problem is that there's a lot of misinformation

circulating around pet adoption.

A common assumption is that all pets that are brought into a shelter must

have something wrong with them.

This is simply not true.

In fact, the main reasons pets are given up include, owners are moving to

housing that don't allow pets.

Owner having personal problems.

Too many or no room for litter mates.

Owner can no longer afford the pet.

Owner no longer has time for the pet.

Many of these reasons have nothing to do with the pets themselves.

Working with a shelter staff and volunteers can be a great way to

figure out the best match for you and your home.

If you've already decided adoption is the right route for you, let's talk

about what to expect when you arrive at the shelter.

To help ensure that their pets are matched with responsible, appropriate

owners, shelters often have a screening process in place.

You may be ask to attend an interview, fill out an application,

and/or sign a contract.

They may also require a home visit, references from your vet, and possibly

other requirements.

The screening process benefits both the pet and the potential adopter.

It helps increase the likelihood that you'll go home with a pet that's right

for your family, one that fits your lifestyle.

At the shelter, you will have the opportunity to walk through the dog

kennel area to see if you are interested in meeting any of the dogs.

If one of the dogs catches your attention, a staff member or volunteer

will bring the dog in to you in a separate visitors room so that you can

have some private time with him.

Here you can have your family meet and interact with the dog to see if he is

a good fit for your family.

Shelters also highly encourage you to bring any other family pets, if

appropriate, so you can ensure that they get along well with your new

potential pet.

In addition to selecting and bringing home your new dog, you are going to

need a number of new items in order to feed and care for your new pet.

It may be a good idea to wait until you select your new pet before you

begin shopping for supplies.

For example, some items, such as food and water bowls, or collars and

harnesses, depend upon the size of the pet you will be adopting.

Also, be sure to find out which food your pet was eating in the shelter or

foster home so that you can provide the same in the beginning to ease the

transition.

After the pet has settled in, talk with your veterinarian about switching

to a high nutrition dog food that's right for his age and size.

Well, I hope we've been able to convince you that a shelter dog can

make a wonderful companion for you and a welcome addition to your home.

By taking the time to do your research, and with a little patience,

you'll find just the right dog for you.

Now, let's recap.

Shelters are a great option if you're considering adopting a dog.

Work with your local shelter to find a dog that's a good fit for you.

And lastly, make sure to find out what shelter's adoption process entails as

this can vary from shelter to shelter.

On behalf of Iams, I'm Caitlin Lewis for Howdini.

For more information and offers, check out the website.

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Did you adopt your pet?

Be sure to tell us your story in the comment section below.