Pet ownership
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Spend a few hours with a potential adoptee dog in a neutral environment.
It teaches you how the dog travels in the car and behaves in a new place.
one person who lived it
Keep cats indoors to protect them from dangers like cars, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and other dogs.
Outdoor cats risk being lost or devoured by predators.
one person who lived it
Spay or neuter stray animals you take in.
Otherwise you will have more kittens soon.
one person who lived it
Do not buy puppies or chicks as holiday gifts.
People often dump puppies in the country before summer ends or try to return chicks a few weeks later.
one person who lived it
Check stray animals for microchips and do due diligence to find owners before taking them home.
This ensures lost pets are reunited with their owners rather than being taken by strangers.
one person who lived it
Send updates and photos to the shelter after adopting a pet.
It supports volunteers who may be stressed and shows the positive impact of their work.
one person who lived it
Register on specialized forums to learn proper care rules for specific pets before acquiring them.
Store employees may give incorrect advice, such as housing hamsters from the same litter together when it is not appropriate.
one person who lived it
Do not judge a dog's personality based solely on its behavior in a kennel.
You do not get a good glimpse of their true personalities in a kennel; many dogs that don't show well there relax outside the shelter.
one person who lived it
If you treat a shelter visit as a casual outing or bring children, donate money instead.
Shelters need financial support more than anything else in these situations.
one person who lived it
8 more on this
Connect with other foster parents to share the experience of facing similar challenges daily.
Dogs can create social connections between people in the same situation.
one person who lived it
Donate dog food to food banks or agencies serving people experiencing hardship rather than small shelters with limited storage.
Small shelters may lack storage space; donating to food banks allows families in need to get food for both humans and pets at once.
one person who lived it
Ensure pets wear collars with name tags and ID information.
Tags aid in identification; without them, a pet may be considered free.
one person who lived it
Research thoroughly before acquiring a dog.
Dogs are expensive and troublesome.
one person who lived it
Like animal charity social media pages and share their stories.
It makes a difference for nonprofits that often cannot afford PR.
one person who lived it
Get permission from staff before giving toys or treats to animals in adoption areas.
People often put inappropriate items into cages.
one person who lived it
Ensure you and your children understand proper animal etiquette before visiting shelters to avoid burdening staff with supervision.
Staff cannot trust uneducated visitors alone with animals, which is incredibly time-consuming.
one person who lived it
Be prepared for the emotional difficulty of 'foster failing' (adopting a foster pet), as it is a common outcome where attachment makes returning the animal hard.
Fosters often grow super attached, making returning the pet super difficult.
one person who lived it