Choosing your pet

Dogs

Help save one of the 3.9 million are dogs that are in shelters each year by choosing to adopt a dog from a shelter instead of buying from a pet store.

The Adoption Process

Cats

Help save one of the 3.4 million are cats that are in shelters each year by choosing to adopt a cat from a shelter instead of buying from a pet store.

Special Needs

Please consider adopting a pet with special needs.These pets are the first to be abandoned and the last to be adopted.

What is your activity level? Do you really want a high-activity level dog when you aren't really very active yourselves?Are you very active? Will the breed of dog you are considering be able to keep up with your lifestyle? Do you have a plan in place if your occupation requires a lot of time away from home? Can you take the dog with you on vacation, or do you have a realistic plan in place for when you do travel?

Perhaps most importantly- How much will it cost to keep a dog, and can you afford it? Can you afford to feed a dog the high-quality food it deserves, pay for its vaccinations and other preventative treatments as needed, and be prepared for any emergencies that may come up?

Choosing a cat is also a very important decision that requires careful consideration. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a cat is right for you and your family. It is vital that you sit down with your family and fully think through the following questions, and resist making an impulsive decision. You must do what is best for the animal, as most cats that end up in shelters are there for the following reasons:

They are not provided with the proper equipment to constructively express their natural instincts
They develop undesirable behaviors that are easily resolved if understood
They did not neuter/spay the cat and an unwanted litter was a result
Allergic reactions from cat dander were not considered

Some of the questions to consider before choosing a cat:

How much time do you have to spend with a cat or kitten each day? Kittens need much more play-time and socialization than adults cats do.

Are you willing to clean a litter box each day? Do you know that inappropriate urination can be prevented or resolved simply by where the litter box is placed, what type of litter is used, and what type of box is used (lid/no lid; automatic/ manual; appropriately sized box). Have you considered the appropriate number of boxes to have when in a multiple cat household?

Have you considered a cat’s natural instinct to scratch? You can avoid furniture destruction simply by providing an inexpensive assortment of scratching posts and equipment, and keeping their nails trimmed regularly.

Are you familiar with the breed’s specific traits and characteristics that may require special grooming and/or may have certain medical needs? Does anyone in your family have allergies? Have you considered what type of coat would be most suitable for your family? Are you aware that different breeds shed more than others?

Perhaps most importantly- How much will it cost to keep a cat, and can you afford it? Can you afford to feed a cat the high-quality food it deserves, pay for its vaccinations and other preventative treatments as needed, and be prepared for any emergencies that may come up?

Once you have chosen the right pet for your family, please fill out one of our adoption applications. After we receive your application, our Adoption Coordinator will call your Veterinarian to verify that all of your current pets meet our requirement that they are up to date on their vaccines, and are spayed or neutered. Next, we schedule a visit with you and your family, typically at one of our local pet stores. Ideally, we would like to meet all family members to ensure that the pet you adopt is the right fit for everyone. We also want to make sure that your new pet will get along with your current pets. Finally, if the visit is successful, you will then fill out the adoption contract, pay the fee, and then welcome the pet into your home.

Choosing a pet can be a very difficult decision, but it can lead to one of the most exciting days of your life when you bring your perfect pet home. Many factors must be taken into consideration before choosing an animal to share your home with. You need to determine how much time you and your family have to spend with an animal, how much money can be spent each month on food and other expenses, and how much space is available for the animal to live.

Other things to think about include how frequently the animal will have to visit the vet, whether anybody in your family, or frequent guests, have allergies to your pet, and whether you want an animal that will sit on your lap to be pet, or if you want a pet that will stay in its cage that you can watch.

Choosing a dog is a very big decision, and requires careful consideration. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a dog is right for you and your family. It is vital that you sit down with your family and fully think through the following questions, and resist making an impulsive decision. You must do what is best for the animal, as most dogs that end up in shelters are there for the following reasons:

Their puppy charm has worn off
They were never given basic obedience or training lessons
Their special needs or maintenance requirements were not considered
Their breed characteristics were not researched efficiently, and they are not a compatible fit for the family’s lifestyle
Maintenance/expenses were not realistically considered

Some of the questions to consider before choosing a dog:

How much space do you have for a dog? Is your back yard big enough? Do you have somewhere for him/her to sleep? Do you have a fence? If not, do you have the time to take the dog for walk a few times a day?

What age dog are you looking for? Would a young puppy be more compatible with your family, or would an older dog be better for you?

Have you considered the dog’s training needs, and do you have the time and patience necessary to fulfill them?

Are you familiar with the breed’s specific traits and characteristics that may require special grooming and/or may have certain medical needs? Does anyone in your family have allergies? Have you considered what type of coat would be most suitable for your family? Are you aware that different breeds shed more than others?

It is very important to the Romeoville Humane Society that our rescued pets are the right match for your family. Our adoption process reflects this. First, we would like you to browse the animals we have for adoption. Please ask questions, as we are always here to help. If choosing a cat, consider the needs and characteristics of the different cat breeds. If choosing a dog, research the different breed types and traits. Make sure you choose a breed that is suitable to your lifestyle. Remember that all of our adoptable pets came to us for some unfortunate reason or another. No matter which pet you choose, there will be an adjustment period in your home. Avoid making that adjustment time more difficult by choosing a pet that is right for your lifestyle and environment.