Adopting a pet is one of the kindest human acts because you not only get a furry bestie but you also save their life. You give the abandoned pet a new home, safety, and a new life.
However, not all pet adoption applications in Canada are accepted. There is a whole background process running behind the adoption process. To make sure you’re ready for what lies ahead, here are 4 tips for successful pet adoption.
Choose the Right Type of Pet
Not all pets are suitable for every home. A lot of factors determine the right type of pet. For instance, smaller pets like a hamster, guinea pig, or smaller cat and dog breeds are perfect for people living in an apartment. That’s why it’s important to do some research in advance to learn about pets’ traits, behavior, and qualities.
To make sure you choose the right type of pet, consider the following factors:
- Your lifestyle and flexibility – Will a pet fit your way of living? Will you have enough time to take care of a pet?
- Your family – Is your family ready for a new member?
- Your experience with pets
- Your budget
- Home size
- Pet’s size – Which size of pet best fits your home and your preferences?
- Pet’s activity level – Do you prefer lazier pets or more energetic ones?
- Maintenance – While all pets need to be properly taken care of, some, like rodents, have really low-maintenance requirements.
Be Breed-Flexible
Although you must determine which pet is most suitable for you, you still need to be flexible in the terms of the breed if you want to adopt a dog or a cat. Not all breeds are available in animal shelters and centers. So, be a bit open-minded when it comes to this question and consider broadening the breed options you can accept.
Show You’re Aware of Pet-Proofing Your Home and You’re Ready to Do It
When you get a pet, especially a cat or a dog, you need to prepare your home and pet-proof it to prevent your pet from accidentally harming themselves. If you’ve never had a pet before, do a bit of research to see what pet-proofing adjustments you should do at home. Then, tell the staff at the pet adoption center/animal shelter that you are aware of these preparations and ready to do them to ensure your pet’s safety.
Adopt in Summer
Summer is the best period to adopt a pet because people go on summer holidays and they don’t want to commit to getting a pet while traveling. The low interest in adopting a pet increases your chances of finding the right pet to adopt and being accepted for pet adoption.
Final Thoughts
Adopting a pet isn’t as easy or fast as you’d want it to be. There’s a process you need to follow, from finding the right pet to sending an adoption application, to visiting the shelter/center where the potential pet is located, to proving you are capable to take care of it. And, while you may be denied from one shelter/center for adoption, you can increase your chances of successful pet adoption by following these 4 tips.