Adoption 101: Finding your purr-fect match

Cocheco Valley Humane Society is a busy place. Each year, more than 2,300 dogs, cats, and small animals come through our doors. While every staff member and volunteer has proclaimed at one point, “I wish I could take them all home,” we all know that there is someone special out there for each and every animal. Finding that perfect match, though, can be challenging, so we offer the following tips to help you find your new best friend.

Know Your Lifestyle

Before going to the shelter, think about your activity level and how much time you have during the day for your new pet. Be honest – are you really going to take Fido for a run every day? If your preferred type of exercise is channel surfing, keep that in mind when looking for a new pet. Do you work long hours at the office? Puppies need to be taken outside every two hours during potty training, which is hard to do if you are at work all the time. Taking just a few moments to stop and think about your day-to-day schedule can make all the difference when it comes to finding your right match.
Understand the Cost
Anyone who has ever owned a pet can tell you that pets are expensive. While every animal requires food and vet care, some pets may require training, doggie day care, medication, or even a special diet. If you travel often, don’t forget about the extra cost of boarding your pet or hiring a pet sitter. When looking to add a new pet to your family, consider all the extra costs that may come with some animals and think realistically about your ability to give them the care they need.

Don’t Get Hung Up On Age…
…or breed, or color, or even gender. Many adopters come into the shelter looking for a very specific animal (“I want a male, orange, long-haired cat with green eyes who is 2-years-old”) and ignore any animal that does not match their wish list. For a truly successful adoption, you must look past the physical appearance of the animals and focus on their personalities.
One of the most common hang ups with potential adopters is age. Older pets have a lot to offer, and it’s a shame when people overlook them simply because of their age. For someone who does not have time to potty train or litter box train, an older pet is ideal. Unlike kittens and puppies, older pets are often calmer and fit perfectly into households looking for a low-key companion.  Older pets also have well established personalities, making it easier to find your perfect match.

Meet the Family
Bringing a new pet into your home is something that should involve every member of your family – even the ones with four legs! At CVHS, all potential dog adopters are required to bring their own dogs in for an introduction to the shelter dog prior to completing the adoption process. Not all dogs like each other, so it’s important to know if this new relationship will work out before you bring a shelter dog home.
Should your kids be involved in the adoption process? Absolutely! But we definitely recommend you leave them home the first time you visit the shelter. A lot of children become overwhelmed when they see the amount of animals available for adoption and tend to become attached to the first animal they see, making it difficult for the parents to find a perfect fit. If you have children at home, consider visiting the shelter without them to find a potential fit for your family and then arrange a time with the shelter to come back with your children for a meet and greet. It will be easier for your children – and you – to focus on just one animal you know is already a potential fit for your family.

Talk to the Adoption Counselors

Nobody knows the animals at the shelter better than the people who work with them every day. Talk openly with the adoption counselors about what you do and don’t want in a new pet and listen to their suggestions. Be honest with them – let them know if your new pet will need to ride in the car with you often, or if you frequently pet-sit your neighbor’s dog. Withholding key information about what your new pet will need to be comfortable with in your home can lead to a poor match and a lot of stress for both you and the animal.

And Finally, be Patient!
Not everyone finds their new best friend on their first trip to the shelter, so be patient when it comes to finding your right match. Once you have adopted an animal, be patient with them while they adjust to their new home. Some pets will take longer to adjust than others. Don’t be surprised when your new cat, who was outgoing and friendly at the shelter, hides under your bed for a few weeks. With a little patience, and a lot of love, you can help your new pet settle in to your home and begin your new friendship.

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cat, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org