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There's a feeling you get inside when you know you've done the right thing, stepped beyond the bounds of your ego, and made a choice from your heart. Folks who adopt a shelter animal often say they feel that way.

There's nothing more beautiful in this world than to save a life and give love to the ones who need it most. Step through the door of a shelter, and you'll meet some of the most innocent and helpless members of our society. These companion animals are not guilty of any crime. Yet, they're on Death Row. All because somebody moved, got sick, or had a baby. Or finally realized they never should have gotten a pet in the first place.

Myths about shelter animals

Many people resist the idea of adopting a shelter animal because of three popular myths that have no basis in reality.

Myth #1: Shelter animals have behavior problems. Although many people assume that animals wind up in shelters because of bad behavior, it's more likely that their former human caregiver's behavior was the problem. Some of the most upstanding citizens in my local canine community came from shelters. Like Moxie the Loggin' Dog, who enjoys lugging tree limbs down the beach. Gus the Bus, galumphing from friend to friend like a fuzzy, prick-eared, ping-pong ball. And my own dear Kleo, once abandoned at a rest area, now proud to strut by my side without leash or verbal command. So many great dogs and cats I meet turn out to have been recently adopted, and they're wonderful companions from the get-go.

Myth #2: Shelter animals -- and older animals in general - are not trainable. Based on my direct experience, this is simply not true. Communicating across inter-species barriers requires consistent, kind behavior on our part. All beings respond positively to gentleness and patience, whatever their age and situation. If we don't like how a non-human family member is behaving, we'd do well to examine our own actions as a possible root cause.

Myth #3: You can't find specific breeds or types of dogs and cats at shelters. In fact, our shelters hold a representative cross-section of the companion animals in our communities, many of which are "pure-bred." Popular dog breeds such as Labrador Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels, for example, are not hard to find, even in smaller shelters. With less common breeds you might have to wait only a few days or weeks, depending on the volume of animals the shelter admits. Then again, you just might fall in love with a "one of a kind" mix. If your heart is set on a particular breed, look for a rescue organization that specializes in it.

Choose carefully

When you're at an animal shelter, surrounded by pleading eyes and expectant hearts, it's tempting to make a snap decision. Steel yourself before you walk in the building; stick to your plan, and adopt an animal only if it is right for you in terms of species, size, gender, coat type, temperament, age, and energy level. "Buying on impulse" at the shelter is really no better than doing it at a pet store at the mall.

If you're interested in a particular animal, the shelter staff will tell you all they can about his or her temperament, health, behavior, and background. Remember that most, if not all, dogs and cats (as well as rabbits, ferrets, etc.) are frightened and confused by the new and intense shelter environment and may appear skittish, hyper, or depressed. On your couch at home it might be a different story. That's why it's always a good idea to spend as much time as possible with an animal in a quieter setting before making a final decision. Most shelters have "get acquainted" areas for this purpose. If you already have non-human family members, make arrangements to have them meet the potential adoptee in a controlled, neutral setting to see how well everybody connects.

The adoption process

Shelter adoptions usually proceed in several steps. After filling out an application, you'll likely be asked to wait 24 hours or even longer before taking your new companion home. This will give you time to consider your decision and address any lingering concerns.

Before leaving with your new friend, you'll generally sign an adoption contract. Designed to protect animals from exploitation, these agreements often stipulate that you must keep the animal as a domesticated pet; provide adequate care; permit post-adoption visits by shelter staff; spay/neuter if necessary; and so forth. It will also likely specify a modest adoption fee that you will pay to the shelter. (Shelters always appreciate an additional contribution as well!)

Most shelters give you a trial period of a few weeks to see whether everyone in your household can get along with the newcomer and whether the animal has any unanticipated medical problems. Some shelters also offer post-adoption assistance to help you work through minor behavioral issues during this adjustment phase.

Rescue's rewards

There are numerous benefits to providing a good home to a shelter survivor. For one, adoption is much less expensive than buying from a breeder or pet shop. Many shelters now also spay or neuter their animals prior to adoption, or provide a certificate to reduce the cost of the surgery. The majority of shelter animals have also been wormed and vaccinated. Some shelters provide an in-depth health evaluation that includes screening for various diseases such as heartworm or feline leukemia virus.

Shelter animals are also often house-trained and socialized; they are accustomed to life with humans. They know what's not okay to chew and what play might be "too rough," for example. When you rescue a grown animal you get to skip the demands of puppy- or kitten-hood. And "what you see is what you get," versus the guesswork about size, coat, or temperament that younger animals might represent.

Last but not least, there's a big dose of good karma. The kindness you show in saving your friend's life will likely be repaid a thousand fold in companionship, good humor, and love. Our lives are vastly enhanced by our non-human family members. Just ask anybody who's adopted one.

You can do it!

If you're considering adopting a shelter animal, take a moment to reflect and make sure you're really ready. Ask yourself:

  • Are you prepared for the inconveniences? Non-humans have a tendency to shed, scratch furniture, get fleas, and barf on the carpet occasionally. Will that be a big deal in your world?
  • Do you have the time and energy? Your new companion will be almost entirely dependent on you. He or she will need food, water, exercise, and attention -- whether or not you're in a "giving mood." You will also need to take the lead in educating visitors, including grandchildren, on how to interact with your pet.
  • Is this a good time in your life? Are you truly settled down, or are you contemplating changes -- more travel, a new home, a lifestyle shift -- that might affect your ability to care for a dependent creature? If you are planning on moving to a retirement community in a few years, for example, it may be worthwhile to make sure the pet you adopt will be permitted there.
  • Can you handle the extra expense? Pets aren't yachts, but veterinary care and grooming costs, in particular, can sometimes add up. Also, if you're adopting a dog, it is a good idea to invest in professional training support if unwanted behavioral dynamics develop.
  • Why do you want a pet? If the answer is: I don't, but my spouse/grandchild does -- that's a recipe for trouble and a big reason why so many pets end up in shelters in the first place. Either make this commitment for you -- or please don't make it at all.

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