Member Log In

Pets for Patriots

Companion pet adoption for United States military veterans and service members

  • Adopt a pet
    • How it works
    • Veteran benefits
    • Program availability
    • Proof of service
    • Eligible pets
    • Pre-qual application
  • Be a veterinary partner
    • How it works
    • Benefits
    • Criteria & eligibility
    • Application
  • Be a shelter partner
    • How it works
    • Benefits
    • Eligible pets
    • Criteria & eligibility
    • Application
  • Donate Now
    • Donate online
    • Ways to give
    • Spread the word
  • More
    • About us
      • Vision
      • Mission
      • Our team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial accountability
      • Year in review
      • Program availability
    • Making an impact
      • Forget Me Not
      • The Wet Nose Blog
      • Partner News
      • Donor News
      • Home at last
      • Welcome Home
    • Friends & Partners
      • Veterinarian partners
      • Shelter partners
      • Sponsors
      • Banfield
      • VIP Petcare
      • Community partners
    • Resources
      • Donor FAQ
      • Veteran FAQ
      • Shelter FAQ
      • Veterinarian FAQ
      • Other resources
    • Connect with us
      • In the news
      • Free wallpaper
      • Contact us
Wet Nose Blog
Home › Extra › How to adopt a shelter pet

How to adopt a shelter pet

August 17, 2011Extra

shelter-dogs-720x450

So you want to adopt a shelter pet. Great! Now think before you act.

Adopting a pet is a serious decision, especially for military families whose own lives are often in a state of constant change. It is a commitment. Bringing a four-legged family member into your household should never be an impulse decision.

Regardless of your military status, consider these issues before you ask, “how much is that doggie (or kitty) in the shelter?” 

A forever home

Do not adopt a shelter pet if you are unprepared to provide a loving home to her the rest of her natural life – period.

In this age of disposable everything – phones, MP3 players, clothes – people forget that an animal is not a toy or an amusement. A pet is a living being who is totally dependent upon his guardian.

Make sure that you are ready to commit to a dog or cat for life before you ever visit an animal shelter. When you adopt a pet and are unable to fulfill this commitment, you have denied that animal the chance to be saved by someone who can. 

Pets cost money

A dog or cat is entirely dependent upon its guardians for food, shelter, exercise, and medical care. And most of all, for love.

Before you adopt a shelter pet, educate yourself about typical pet care costs. If you live in an area with a high cost of living, add another 15-20 percent. Do the same if you adopt an animal with special needs or who requires ongoing medical care.

Do not be seduced by low- or no-cost adoption specials at your local shelter. While they do encourage adoptions, they can make you forget that a pet is a serious financial commitment.

Never adopt a shelter pet just because she is free.

Once you understand how much Fido or Fluffy may cost you each year, make this figure a line item in your family budget.

Dog person or cat person?

You probably already know if you prefer dogs or cats, or perhaps you enjoy each equally.

If you have a preference for one type of pet, but your living arrangements only allow you to have another, you have options.

You can wait until you are in a situation where you can have the pet you want. Or you can familiarize yourself with the alternative type of pet to see if you would enjoy having one in your life.

Visit friends and neighbors who have the kind of animal you are thinking about. Ask your local veterinarian for advice, and speak with staff at your local animal shelter. You may even want to volunteer at the shelter to get better acquainted with the kind of pet you are considering.

Training person and pet

Life in the military is all about training, and your new shelter pet will need training, too.

Some animals are surrendered for a variety of reasons, including financial hardship, relocation or other household-related issues. Some dogs and cats are picked up as strays. Still others – tragically – are victims of neglect, abuse or animal cruelty.

Regardless of how your future pet got to the shelter, chances are he will need some training to fit into your home and lifestyle. 

When training – or retraining – your newly adopted dog or cat, remember that training pets is equally about training people. You and your family members need to know how to act towards your pet to get the behaviors you desire.

And yes – cats need training, too. 

Be prepared to spend time with your new pet to give her the patience she deserves. She probably had a rough life before you gave her a second chance.

Ready to adopt a shelter pet

Once you area ready to adopt a pet for life, it is time to visit the shelter.

At Pets for Patriots, we often use the term shelter to refer to a wide range of animal welfare organizations. This includes shelters, rescues, SPCAs, humane societies, and municipal animal controls.

When you visit the shelter it is vital to bring everyone in your household, including other pets. This will help you find the pet who is the best fit for all members of your home, as well as your lifestyle.

You may need to know if a pet is child friendly, dog- or cat-averse, or has other behavioral or medical considerations that would impact your decision to adopt that particular animal.

Most shelters have a separate, more private ‘meet and greet’ area for you to get acquainted with any adoption candidates.

Remember that a pet’s true personality might not emerge during your shelter visit. But you should get a reasonably good picture of an animal’s basic characteristics.

A dog or cat may be traumatized by shelter life, especially if he is older or spent most of his previous life in a loving home. Some may have been passed over by other would-be adopters and are aloof to protect themselves from possible rejection. Animals do have feelings and are highly sensitive, which is one of the reasons we want them in our lives in the first place.

PreviousNext

23 comments

  1. Pingback: Bronze Star Air Force veteran rescues dog who rescues others - Pets for Patriots
  2. Pingback: "browse around here"
  3. Pingback: affordable seo software
  4. Pingback: จักรยานพับได้
  5. Pingback: facebook marketing for dummies
  6. Pingback: Navy inspires man to give lifeline to pet in need — Pets For Patriots Blog
  7. Pingback: After a life in shelters, dog rescues Army veteran with PTSD — Pets For Patriots Blog
  8. Pingback: Navy veteran and dog lover becomes a "cat guy" — Pets For Patriots Blog
  9. Pingback: Afghanistan veteran who loses dog while deployed gives another a second chance — Pets For Patriots Blog
  10. Pingback: Navy sailor and shelter cat set sail for a better life — Pets For Patriots Blog
  11. Pingback: Pint-sized Captain steers veteran through PTSD recovery — Pets For Patriots Blog
  12. Pingback: Pets help children deal with stress of military life — Pets For Patriots Blog
  13. Pingback: Dog lover makes room in his heart for a cat named Callie — Pets For Patriots Blog
  14. Pingback: Cinnamon adds spice to life for one Navy couple — Pets For Patriots Blog
  15. Pingback: Retired Army officer touched by once-homeless dog — Pets For Patriots Blog
  16. Pingback: Prayer guides Army reservist to four-legged miracle — Pets For Patriots Blog
  17. Hairless Cat says:
    November 13, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Hi Pets For Patriots,

    You aren’t kidding – it really is the age of disposable everything – and now more than ever it’s important to bring awareness to forever home adoption.

    Some people prefer dogs but get a cat because that’s the only pet allowed in a given apartment building. Your advice about either waiting until your living arrangements allow for the dog or to familiarize yourself with cats.

    I think that waiting until the lease is up and moving to a dog-friendly building is the better of the two choices.

    I’m all for shelter and distressed conditions adoption. These cats and dogs really need the help.

    Thanx,

    =^-^= Hairless Cat Girl =^-^=

  18. Pingback: Rescued adult dog saves Coast Guard veteran from depression — Pets For Patriots Blog
  19. Pingback: Rescued Adult Dog Saves Coast Guard Veteran From D - Military News | Military News
  20. ROBERT WIEHR says:
    June 26, 2012 at 11:12 am

    HI BETH,

    NO luck with shelters in WA state for a catahoula ( young male) for brother JOE CLYDE RECENTLY widowed ,he is all but given up on these people.

  21. Pingback: Stray Dog Has Marine’s Number – Training. | petstraining.info
  22. Pingback: Navy family sails high with rescued dog at helm — Pets For Patriots Blog
  23. tina says:
    August 18, 2011 at 12:13 am

    love that kitty……is she ready for me?

Comments are closed.

Join the Conversation

  • Cat tales
  • Dog tales
  • Hope for a home
  • Mental health
  • Extra
  • Pet training & health
  • Donor News


Give with Confidence

logo logo logo logo
Make a donation today
email-icon

Did you enjoy this story?
Don’t miss the next one.

Sign up for our newsletter and get stories like these directly in your inbox.


The Dodo and GEICO honor Pets for Patriots adoptions by sharing their heartwarming tales

WATCH THE VIDEOS

Petco Foundation

PetMeds Logo 300x250

Shop 1800PetMeds for all of your pet’s health needs and we’ll get 10% of your purchase!

Shop Bissell Today!

Shop BISSELL for your home cleaning needs and they will donate 10% of your purchase to us!

Join the Conversation

Stay Connected

Join the conversation, read recent adoption stories, view featured pets needing new homes and more.

Twitter

@petsforpatriots

Follow Us

Instagram

@petsforpatriots

Friday funny: sign we saw on a recent walk with ou Friday funny: sign we saw on a recent walk with our pup...
Can we please take a moment to behold Smokey's spe Can we please take a moment to behold Smokey's spectacular ears? 

Okay...moment over! 🤣 This hunky hound just hit the adoption jackpot when Annette and her husband - both Air Force veterans - added this 3+ year-old fella to their family. We thank these high-flying patriots for their service and for opening their hearts and home to this magnificent beast!

#staffysaturday #dontbullymybreed #loveabull #airforceveteran #militaryfamily #petsforpatriots
When you've got a great name like Jean-Paul, you j When you've got a great name like Jean-Paul, you just have to adopt a dog with a double name, too...like Russia Roo!

This sweet shepherd mix and her Army veteran dad became the 148th match through our partners @pgc_pets4us - which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program...woot!

#armystrong #armyveteran #shepherdsofinstagram #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #petsforpatriots
Henley was in a Virginia animal shelter until one Henley was in a Virginia animal shelter until one day when the coy cat chose a dual Navy couple as his own. In time he would prove his mettle as a “little therapy cat.”

Click the link in our bio to read this purr-fect adoption tale, and thanks to our partners @chesapeakehumane for helping us make it all happen!

#adoptasheltercat #navycouple #iserved #therapycat #petsforpatriots
Mila is mesmerizing!! This stunning 3 year-old mi Mila is mesmerizing!!

This stunning 3 year-old mix just set sail with Jared, who for more than 10 years and counting serves in the Navy. The pair were matched through our partners @kitsaphumanesociety which offers veterans in our program 50% off adoption fees. Anchors aweigh!

#navy #adoptashelterdog #kitsaphumanesociety #petsforpatriots #muttsrule
Megan serves in the Navy and just threw a lifeline Megan serves in the Navy and just threw a lifeline (and a cone!) to Little Man, a stunning adult cat she met through our partners @vbspca. Megan received a 25% adoption fee discount and has access to their low-cost veterinary clinic without proof of income - just a couple of the benefits of adopting through our partnership.

All we know is that this is one very lucky black cat! Smooth sailing, Megan and Little Man!

#blackcat #adoptasheltercat #femaleveteran #navyveteran #petsforpatriots
Last week we shared that Joan, Army veteran, bid h Last week we shared that Joan, Army veteran, bid her senior Pittie rescue and @petsforpatriots alum Jerry a peaceful trip over the Rainbow Bridge. 🌈

Joan knew she needed to dust herself off and save another 4-legged soul, so earlier this week she rescued 5 year-old Smokey, a stunning Cane Corso she met through our partners Baltimore County Animal Services, which gives veterans we serve 50% off adoption fees.

We're so honored that many veterans, like Joan, are repeat adopters through our program - embracing our mission to save the most vulnerable shelter animals while benefiting from their loyalty and love. ❤️

#rainbowbridge🌈 #adoptashelterdog #armystrong #petsforpatriots
Pet adoption was not in Linda’s plans until one Pet adoption was not in Linda’s plans until one day when the lonely Marine met a shelter cat who turned her life around.

“I never knew one could love an animal so deeply. She brings so much happiness to my life."

Click the link in our bio to read this sweet tale, and thanks to @vbspca for another purr-fect match together!

#adoptasheltercat #loneliness #femaleveteran #marinecorps #beapetshero #petsforpatriots #youarenotalone
Cornelia was born and raised in France and her hus Cornelia was born and raised in France and her husband Ed in Belgium. Yet both served their adopted nation - Ed in the Navy and Cornelia in the Army. The pair met in New Jersey and married on Veterans Day more than 20 years ago.

These days the couple lives in an assisted living facility and, sadly, Ed's health is such that he's not always able to interact with Cornelia. She grew lonely and wanted nothing more than a little dog to love.

After months of searching, mission accomplished! Thanks to our partners @ywacpets for going the extra mile to help Cornelia find the perfect match:

"She's exactly what I needed and wanted.  She's 9 pounds of love.  She kisses me on the mouth and then turns on her back placing her neck over my mouth so I can kiss her and tell her I love her.  She sleeps with me and is being spoiled rotten by all the employees at the facility, directors on down." ~ Cornelia, US Army veteran ❤️

#armystrong #femaleveteran #adoptashelterpet #loverescuedme #petsforpatriots
Follow Us

© 2023 Pets for Patriots, Inc. | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Contact us

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.