Adopting From A Shelter
For families with low budgets or the will to save an unfortunate dog
from euthanasia, animal shelters are an excellent place to find a dog. More
than 7 million pets are euthanized every year due to pet overpopulation.
A patient and persistent person can find a purebred or
mixedbred dog that appeals to him at one of the private or public shelters in his area for
a very reasonable price. Most dogs that are released for adoption have received a
veterinary check-up including necessary vaccinations. Many shelters issue discount
certificates for neutering or spaying surgery; some sterilize the dogs before releasing
them for adoption.
Private Shelters
Private shelters are generally small shelters that are
supported by donations and grants and are operated by small staffs and mostly volunteers
who love animals. Private shelters will euthanize aggressive or seriously dogs only.
They do not euthanize dogs merely because they need more space in their facility.
These shelters generally maintain waiting lists and refer owners to local rescue
groups if they do not have available space or if they receive a request for a purebred
that they do not have.
Private shelters depend on volunteers to exercise and
socialize the dogs. They usually neuter and spay every dog before it is placed and
provide initial vaccinations. Some private shelters do heartworm checks and even
administer the Bordatella vaccine.
Public Shelters
Public shelters handle dogs that are impounded for
enforcement of state cruelty and neglect laws. They also handle dogs that may have
been abandoned by their owners by choice. Stray dogs that are not claimed by their
owners within a few days are usually offered for adoption. Stray dogs have no
history, so adopters need to be ready for any type of problem.
Owners who abandon their dogs may truly have a
legitimate reason or they may just be passing a problem on to someone else.
Often these owners feel guilty because the failed in caring & training the dog.
Many times owners do not tell the truth when they take their dog to a shelter because they
don't want the dog to be euthanized. A person who is looking to adopt a dog from a
shelter should lean heavily on the knowledge of the staff pertaining to each dog.
Public shelters are supported by grants and donations
as well as dog license fees, etc. The adoption fee for each dog rarely even covers
the cost of housing the dog until adoption.
Adopting from a shelter
If you choose to adopt a dog from a shelter, you need
to begin by making some personal observations.
Visit the shelter several times and pay close
attention to how the staff members interact with each dog. Watch the staff clean the
runs and feed the dogs and observe their attitudes during these chores.
Be aware that illness such as kennel cough and
distemper are possible in any dog you adopt from a shelter. If the feces are not
removed before the runs are washed, worms and other feces-spread diseases are possible.
Following is a list of some of the shelters in Georgia.
Shelters in the metro Atlanta Area
Shelters & Rescue in Georgia
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