adoption

Our guide to animal adoption; learn why, where, and how to prepare to adopt a cat, kitten, dog or puppy from an animal shelter or rescue group.

Love is Blind
I came from an animal loving family. I had been around all kinds of animals growing up. Dogs, cats, horses, goats, chickens, cows, you name it. I wouldn't call myself a country bumpkin, but I lived in that little part of suburbia that fit right between the city and the farm. So when it came time for me to go to college in Los Angeles and leave my childhood pets at home across the country it wouldn't come as much of a surprise that I didn't take it too well. Animals had been one of my main coping mechanisms for my mental illness for years, and here I was, in a completely new environment, on my own for the first time in my life, and not a dog, cat, or hamster in sight. Don't get me wrong, I was excited to start this new part of my life and get a degree in an industry I love, but even with roommates and classmates and new friends, I felt unbelievably lonely.
By Abby Ramsay5 years ago in Petlife
An Unexpected Inheritance
I worked one summer in the wilderness for an old-timer named Dinty. Dinty lived on an isolated homestead that had been pieced out of the surrounding national forest – "guvment land," as Dinty used to call it. It was a unique work opportunity for me, as Dinty lived in a roadless area with no phone, no electricity, and no running water. The best way I could describe his lifestyle is Honest Rustic. No frills and no complaints. Just plain ol' hard work in the midst of paradise.
By Kennedy Farr5 years ago in Petlife
Hawkeye
How could I not? I met this little fellow in December, stopping by the Human Society not actually certain I was going to get another pet. It'd been a year almost since my last one passed away. He was nearly twenty-five. He stayed with us throughout most of my son's life and held on at the end until the day my son moved out. You can imagine whos' cat he really was, even though I'd gotten attached to him over the years.
By Jason Ray Morton 5 years ago in Petlife
Fostering 101
Anyone can foster. Note: Almost anyone can foster. A traveling salesperson probably wouldn't be a good foster. Apart from that, I think that similar to working in retail or customer service, everyone should foster. Unless you absolutely hate animals or are allergic, or just an awful person, you can learn so much by fostering and become a better person for it. Or don't. That's fine too. Who I am to tell you how to live your life. But if you're someone like me who loves animals and never really thought about fostering or ever considered doing it, here are some lessons learned, good advice, food for thought, and personal insights to help you on your way.
By Maggie Gagliardi5 years ago in Petlife
A Furry Love Story
It was a cold April 3rd of 2019 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I had just woken up, and my partner and I of that time had some errands to run. We had to get groceries and have some Panda Express of course (our favorite). Out in the plaza where Walmart is there is a Petsmart. Occasionally we would like to run in there just to browse. In the back of that particular store there is a separate room full of adoptable cats from the local SPCA. There was one that particularly stuck out to me because her description card read that she could say "mama". I felt a warm feeling in my chest. This meeting was kismet. I immediately went to fill out an adoption application. Within a few days I was approved to come pick up Delilah and take her home with me!
By Grace Linn5 years ago in Petlife
His Name Is Frank
Frank is a rather long fellow, with stumpy legs and medium length mahogany and snowy white fur. His ear fur is trimmed straight across, reminding one of a bowl cut your mom used to give you before you had a say in what was cool. The hair on top of his head flows freely, not unlike the wisps you would find atop Bernie Sander’s head on a windy day. At 13 years old, this charismatic dachshund -who is almost completely blind and deaf- lets nothing slow him down.
By Lindsay5 years ago in Petlife
Our Rescue Was Vicious — But We Still Kept Him
Long story short, we didn’t take this dog in because we necessarily wanted to. We did it because we felt we didn't have a choice, and it was the right thing to do.
By Gillian Sisley5 years ago in Petlife
They save us too
Recent events have seen the world change in a way that most adults have never seen before. From school closures to international travel bans the lives of many people have changed drastically in the last year.
By Rebecca Haddock5 years ago in Petlife
Dog Adoption
There have been plenty of difficult and emotional times over the last twelve months. The effects of COVID-19 are affecting everyone in some way and to some extent. One of the saddest revelations from lockdown was Dog’s Trust reporting a significant increase in people giving up their rescue dogs when lockdown restrictions were originally eased in August and owners realised they couldn’t fully commit to their dog, whether it was dealing with their allergies or needing sensitive stomach dog food, their unique behaviours, or needing socialisation.
By Fay McFarlane5 years ago in Petlife
About A Dog
In 16 days, I will celebrate my 79th birthday. One month after that will be the sixth anniversary of my wife’s death from cancer. In those six years, well, the last four of them anyway, I searched in vain for a new partner. Joined clubs and associations and did the online dating thing. Lots of coffee, lots of lunches, lots of travel but no success.
By Symphisis5 years ago in Petlife
Things You Learn By Adopting A Dog
I come from a family of buyers. I had never experienced the adoption process before, but I had decided that, when I was ready, I was going to adopt a dog. Everything fell into place quickly. I got a job that meant I could afford a dog, I got a new roommate who wasn't allergic to dogs, and I felt ready. It only took a couple weeks for me to find the perfect dog to adopt. Her dopey face and the sweetest one eye I've ever seen won me over instantly. I had her in my home a few days later. Now, it's been over a year since that day and I've loved every moment of it. When I adopted my dog, I knew I was ready for the responsibility, but I didn't anticipate how much she would change me. And she changed me a lot.
By Dani Ash5 years ago in Petlife
Maligator Momma
I have always believed that the best dog breed is Rescue. My brother-in-law and I sometimes fight over this. When he decided he wanted a dog he was very specific. He and my sister did all the research. They looked into the different breeds, what health issues they had, which were easiest and hardest to train, which were aggressive, which made good family dogs, which were good work dogs, which could do both. They looked into potential vet bills and food costs, best brands. EVERYTHING.
By Scr1be5 years ago in Petlife