ADOPTING A SHELTER PET 101: THE BASICS
May 14th, 2010 by Dr. Donna Spector
12 year old Keith Webster will tell anyone that Ned, his adopted Jack Russell Terrier, is the center of his world–”I play with Ned every day of my life because I care about him so much.”
Freekibble.com’s Kibble Krusader Kontest winner, Keith’s heartfelt essay won $1,000 of Halo Dinner Party which was donated to the Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County in Alderton, WA where he adopted Ned (read about Halo’s donation to the shelter here).
Animal shelters recognize the very special relationship between adopted pets and their new families and maintain a structured adoption process that allows them to make the best match for both parties–the goal is always to find a pet a lifelong home.
In addition to actually choosing a new pet, the adoption process usually involves filling out an application, an interview, a waiting period, a contract, fees and often a trial period. 
Click here to read more about the adoption process.
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May 14th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
how very touching a young lad and his dog very special bond. it takes me back to my very first dog a little pom i got when i was three years old. nothing like it and had the dog past mt teens into my early twenties. and , i still think of that little dog to this very day and i am now a old lady with many pets and all are so very special. it touched my heart to read about keith and his special friend ned.brought back my younger years and my first dog always special that first dog…. and , what they teach us about love and care.how lucky ned is to have a special friend as keith.hope they have many years together. good luck keith with ned.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
There’s a great story with every adoption. We always stress what great pets many shelter animals make, especially when the rescue takes an active role in trying to “match” the pets’ personality and lifestyle with that of the family’s. We have two shelter dogs–one a lab/viszla mix who lived in 3 homes before the age of 1; the other a Katrina dog. They are wonderful and special. An important note not to be overlooked when adopting a shelter animal and if there is already a pet or child in the family is to make sure the potential adoptee has been socialized with other animals. Congrats to Keith and Ned.
May 20th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
When we are at meet and greets with our Greyhounds from tracks we advise people that while these gentle creatures are wonderful family memebers they have never been in a home, never been around glass doors, steps, slick floors. We often even have to teach them how to play depending on the racing farm they come from. Taking time with them in a foster home before offering them for adoption and then providing an education period saves returns later on. After all, its all about the dogs and the bond they can form with the human. To err is human – to forgive is canine.