GIMME SHELTER
Selecting the right shelter pet for your family
Animal shelters provide a great option to find your next pet - dog or otherwise.
A second-hand pet in no way means second-rate!
Adopting a shelter pet helps address an overpopulation issue, gives a home to a deserving animal, and frees up space for the shelter to help another animal in need.
Shelters generally have a variety of purebreds and mutts, young and old,
calm and energetic dogs - surely one to fit your home.
Before heading off to the shelter to find your next best friend,
here are a few suggestions to help you find the perfect fit.
ARE YOU READY TO GO?
Before locking eyes with an eager, furry face, honestly consider your ability to care for a dog and the commitment you are making by adopting. Without a doubt they are cute; but, bringing a dog into your family will require time and finances for many years. Pets are not expendable and come with associated expenses. Veterinary check-ups, preventive care, spay/neuter procedures, and other associated medical costs can become expensive. There is food and perhaps grooming and boarding, which can add up quickly. Most breeds have a 10 to 13 year life span. For your sake and that of the dog, honestly evaluate your situation before you are face to face with that wet nose. |
BEFORE YOU GO
If you’ve come to the conclusion that you can devote a portion of your life, money, and home to the life of a dog, next you should consider the shelters you might adopt from. Here are a few items to use in that evaluation.
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All dogs featured on this page were one-time residents at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. |
All dogs featured on this page were one-time residents at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. |
IT'S GO TIME
So you've determined you can open your home to a dog in need and you've found the right shelter to work with. Now what? How do you know which is the best dog for you?
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