Adopting a pet
The Australian Pet Welfare Foundation is a research and advocacy group, tackling the issues affecting pets and their people and finding evidence-based solutions that change and save lives. To that end, these guidelines are designed to help you through the adoption process so that you, and your new pet, can enjoy a healthy, happy life together.
If you’re considering welcoming a new pet into your home, there’s no better choice than to adopt a rescue cat or dog. Adopting a homeless animal means you’re saving their life and bringing the joy of pet ownership into your own.
The first thing to remember, is that most rescue animals are well-adjusted and ready to find their ‘forever’ home. Many situations, unrelated to the pet themselves, can lead to an animal being surrendered, such as rental restrictions, financial hardship, relationship breakdowns, health issues and physical limitations.
Before you begin your search, take your time to think about what type of pet is right for you and your family, your home and your lifestyle:
Questions to ask yourself before you adopt a pet
Do I want a young or adult pet?
Can I cover the core costs of owning a pet, beyond just the adoption cost, including food, bedding, toys and regular veterinary check-ups and treatment?
Is my home safe, secure and suitable for a pet?
Do I have time to train and socialise a pet?
Will I be able to provide them with enough company, so they don’t get lonely or bored? A pet without enough attention can become unsocial and misbehave.
Once you have spotted that special friend, learn more about that particular pet, its needs and background and if they suit your house/backyard, your lifestyle, family members and any existing pets. These are important considerations, to ensure the welfare of the pet and ensure that your home will be their ‘forever’ home.
Shelter and pound adoption
The benefits of adopting through a shelter and pound are that, in most cases, animals will have been assessed for behaviour and health and will be desexed, microchipped and vaccinated. The drawbacks are that you are meeting your potential new pet in an environment where they may not reveal their usual happy personality. Additionally, most pounds and shelters charge a fee for adoption.
In a few cases, sheltered pets may have poor socialisation skills due to mistreatment or lack of human companionship. Please don’t be annoyed at them, they are lonely and desperate for a new home with your forever love. Seek help early with behaviour problems – your first port of call should be the shelter you adopted from, or an organisation such as the RSPCA, but there’s also lots of useful information online. Failing that, veterinary behaviouralists are a great source of advice and support.
The easiest way to search for a new rescue pet is online. Both Pet Rescue, the RSPCA and your local Animal Welfare League, shelters and pounds have websites where you can search by location and animal type for ‘home-to-home' and shelter adoptions.
You can also find shelters, pounds and your local rescue groups and animal charities by searching Google or on Facebook.
Shelters will require you to complete an adoption application form and may offer a ‘cooling-off’ period so you can ensure you’ve made the right decision.
Private 'home-to-home’ pet adoption
The benefits of adopting a pet through a private ‘home-to-home’ adoption, is that you’re able to meet your pet in their home environment and speak directly with their current owner to learn all about them. This gives you the chance to get to know your potential new pet and find out if you’ll be a good fit for each other. The drawback to this type of adoption is that, depending on your state or territory, the pet may not be desexed and may not have up-to-date vaccinations. It also will not have had a health or behaviour check. This may be offset by the fact that, in most cases, the surrendering owner will not ask for any payment as they will just be looking for the right home for their beloved pet. Remember, in most cases surrender is the last resort for loving owners, and they just want the best for their pet!
You can – with caution - search for home-to-home pet adoption on social media such as Facebook and on online advertising sites such as Gumtree. If the current owner does not include enough information, be sure to make contact and ask more questions before organising a visit. You should try to find out:
The appearance, breed, size and age of the pet
If the pet is desexed, microchipped and has a vaccination history
Any medical history and veterinary paperwork
Description of the pet’s nature and appealing qualities
Any limitations the pet might have (e.g. not good with small children)
Any other concerns
It is not uncommon for people who are surrendering their beloved pet to want to visit your home, possibly with their pet, to ensure its suitability. This can be a great opportunity to get a sense of whether your potential new pet will be happy in your home.
Before you bring an adopted animal home
Determine where your pet will be spending most of their time. They will be under a lot of stress with the change of environment, so may forget any housebreaking they’ve learned. Often a kitchen will work best for easy clean-up.
Pet-proof the area where they will spend most of their time during the first few months. This may mean taping loose electrical cords to baseboards, storing household chemicals on high shelves, removing plants, rugs, and breakables, setting up a crate or den where they feel safe, and installing baby gates.
Training a dog should start the first moment you have them. Take time to create a vocabulary list everyone will use when giving your dog directions. This will help prevent confusion and help your dog learn commands more quickly.
Bring an ID tag with your phone number on it with you when you pick up your pet. If not already microchipped, make that a priority. If already chipped, be sure to update the contact information to your details.
Teach children how to interact with your new pet
Teaching children how to approach a new pet is essential for both the safety of the child and the comfort of the animal.
Reinforce the need to be calm and quiet. Animals, especially new pets, can feel scared or anxious when they experience loud noises or sudden movements, so show children what it means to approach slowly and gently and why it’s important.
Let the animal approach first and on their own terms, giving them space to sniff and feel safe. Then encourage children to offer their hand before attempting to (very gently) pet -always allowing the animal to move away freely. Relationships are built over time and can’t be rushed or forced.
Animals, like people, need personal space, especially when they are in a new environment. Teach your child to respect the pet’s boundaries – if it’s retreating or hiding, it's important not to chase or corner them. Let the animal come out on its own when it feels ready.
Teach your child to recognise signs that the pet may be uncomfortable, such as a wagging tail that’s stiff, ears pulled back, or growling. Let them know to stop interacting if the pet shows these signs.
Always supervise your child’s interactions with a new pet. Be ready to step in if either the child or pet seems stressed, anxious, or uncomfortable.
Teach the importance of consistency. Mixed messages confuse and can cause distress for an animal finding its feet in a new home.
Teach your child to leave the pet alone when it’s eating, sleeping, or resting. Reinforce that this is the pet's quiet time.
The first day after adopting a pet
We know moving is stressful — and your new pet feels the same way! Give them time to acclimatise to your home and family before introducing them to strangers.
When you pick up your pet, remember to ask what and when they were fed. Replicate that schedule for at least the first few days to avoid gastric upset. If you wish to switch to a different brand, do so over a period of about a week by adding one part new food to three parts of the old for several day, then switch to half new food, half old, and then one part old to three parts new.
On the way home, your pet should be safely secured, preferably in a pet crate or carrier. Some animals find car trips stressful, so having them in a safe place will make the trip home easier on them and you.
Once home, take them to their toileting area immediately and spend a good amount of time with them, so they will get used to the area and relieve themselves. But be prepared for accidents. Coming into a new home with new people, new smells and new sounds can throw even the most housebroken pet off-track, so be ready just in case.
From there, start your schedule of feeding, toileting and play/exercise. From day one, your pet will need family time and alone time. Give attention for good behaviour but don’t give in to whining.
For the first few days, remain calm and quiet, limiting too much excitement. Not only will this allow your pet to settle in, but it will also give you more one-on-one time to get to know them and their likes and dislikes.
The weeks after pet adoption
People often say they don’t see their pet’s true personality until several weeks after adoption. Your pet may be a bit uneasy at first as they get to know you. Be patient and understanding while also keeping to the schedule you intend to maintain for feeding, walks, etc. This schedule will show your pet what is expected of them as well as what they can expect from you.
If you encounter unfamiliar or problem behaviours, contact the shelter or rescue where you got your pet to see if they have a behaviourist on staff, or the previous owner to seek advice. Otherwise, ask your vet to recommend a trainer who uses positive-reinforcement techniques to help you and your pet overcome any obstacles.
How you can help?
Donate today to help the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation (APWF) tackle the causes of pet relinquishment and death in shelters and pounds and ensure more healthy, treatable pets find their ‘forever’ home.
