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Resources
Before You Adopt
Thank you for making the decision to adopt a homeless animal! Adopting a companion animal is most likely a 10 – 15 year commitment. Before making the decision to adopt a companion animal, think about your reasons for wanting a pet and how she will fit into your life. The following considerations can help you choose a pet that will be a good fit with your family and lifestyle.
Consider your lifestyle
How settled is your life? Are you expecting major lifestyle changes over the next several months or years? Many pets live for years—a pet that fits into your life today needs to fit in for the foreseeable future.
Do you or other household members have allergies to pets?
Do you want your pet to be a part of an active lifestyle, more of a couch potato or somewhere in between?
Can you afford a pet? The costs of owning a pet can be high. Licenses, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, litter and other expenses add up quickly.
Determine how much time you have to spend with a pet
Do you have much free time now?
How much time do you have every day to take care of a pet (feeding, grooming, exercising, training and socializing)?
Is someone at home on a regular basis to give the animal lots of attention and love?
Evaluate your living situation All pets need to be part of the family. Think about your living situation:
Is your home appropriate for your new pet?
Are there any restrictions around having pets in your home, e.g., landlord permission, pet deposits, condo restrictions, etc.?
Do you have enough space for the type of pet you are thinking about?
All pets make some kind of mess. Will your pet be given free range of your entire home or just certain areas? If the pet will be restricted to a certain area, how happy would a pet be in this space?
Consider your lifestyle
How settled is your life? Are you expecting major lifestyle changes over the next several months or years? Many pets live for years—a pet that fits into your life today needs to fit in for the foreseeable future.
Do you or other household members have allergies to pets?
Do you want your pet to be a part of an active lifestyle, more of a couch potato or somewhere in between?
Can you afford a pet? The costs of owning a pet can be high. Licenses, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, litter and other expenses add up quickly.
Determine how much time you have to spend with a pet
Do you have much free time now?
How much time do you have every day to take care of a pet (feeding, grooming, exercising, training and socializing)?
Is someone at home on a regular basis to give the animal lots of attention and love?
Evaluate your living situation All pets need to be part of the family. Think about your living situation:
Is your home appropriate for your new pet?
Are there any restrictions around having pets in your home, e.g., landlord permission, pet deposits, condo restrictions, etc.?
Do you have enough space for the type of pet you are thinking about?
All pets make some kind of mess. Will your pet be given free range of your entire home or just certain areas? If the pet will be restricted to a certain area, how happy would a pet be in this space?
Help with Veterinary Bills
Pets & Pals Animal Shelter is frequently contacted by people who are having trouble affording veterinary care or facing a medical emergency. While we do not have funding to assist with the cost of a pet's vet bills, we have provided some links to organizations which may be able to assist you.
Brown Dog FoundationCanine Cancer AwarenessCare CreditDiabetic Cats in NeedFrankie's FriendsPAWS 4 A CureShakespeare Animal FundThe Magic Bullet FundThe Mosby FoundationThe Pet FundThe Riedel & Cody Fund
You can also check with these national organizations for more information:
Alley Cat AlliesAmerican Humane AssociationASPCABest Friends Animal SocietyHumane Society of the United StatesPetCo Foundation
Help with pet food and supplies
If you need assistance with food for your pet, we recommend that you check with your local food bank to see if they have any pet food available to distribute.
Post-adoption medical needs
Pets & Pals Animal Shelter does not have a veterinary center and cannot provide medical treatment of any animal after leaving our shelter. We do ask that you get your pet examined by a vet within a week of adoption and consider purchasing the pet health insurance if that is an option for you. If an animal is examined by a vet within the period on your contract and is found to have a health issue we were unaware of, we will take the animal back and issue a full refund to you.
For information on First Aid for pets and for tips on moving with your pet, here are good articles to read, recommended by our friends at the Girl Scouts:
http://www.claricode.com/content/Medical-First-Aid-and-CPR-for-Pets.aspx
https://www.austinrealestate.com/preparing-your-pet-for-a-move.php
Brown Dog FoundationCanine Cancer AwarenessCare CreditDiabetic Cats in NeedFrankie's FriendsPAWS 4 A CureShakespeare Animal FundThe Magic Bullet FundThe Mosby FoundationThe Pet FundThe Riedel & Cody Fund
You can also check with these national organizations for more information:
Alley Cat AlliesAmerican Humane AssociationASPCABest Friends Animal SocietyHumane Society of the United StatesPetCo Foundation
Help with pet food and supplies
If you need assistance with food for your pet, we recommend that you check with your local food bank to see if they have any pet food available to distribute.
Post-adoption medical needs
Pets & Pals Animal Shelter does not have a veterinary center and cannot provide medical treatment of any animal after leaving our shelter. We do ask that you get your pet examined by a vet within a week of adoption and consider purchasing the pet health insurance if that is an option for you. If an animal is examined by a vet within the period on your contract and is found to have a health issue we were unaware of, we will take the animal back and issue a full refund to you.
For information on First Aid for pets and for tips on moving with your pet, here are good articles to read, recommended by our friends at the Girl Scouts:
http://www.claricode.com/content/Medical-First-Aid-and-CPR-for-Pets.aspx
https://www.austinrealestate.com/preparing-your-pet-for-a-move.php