How to adopt a dog or cat

HOW TO ADOPT AN ANIMAL

First and foremost, adopting an animal —a dog, a cat, or a bunny— is a significant step that must be taken with conviction and a strong sense of responsibility . It's a lifelong choice that will change our lives. When we choose to welcome a pet into our home, they become fully part of the family: loyal friends capable of bringing joy, serenity, and happiness to the home, without asking for anything in return, except a little of our affection and time, and a bowl full of their favorite kibble.

READ ALSO: How to help abandoned animals

HOW TO ADOPT A PET

Don't forget that adopting an abandoned dog or cat is also a civilized gesture . Before purchasing a pet, visit one of the many shelters in your area or veterinary clinics like Duemari, which rescues countless animals every year and puts them up for adoption. You'll discover that there are countless puppies, dogs, and cats of all ages eagerly awaiting an owner.

Also remember that a dog, a cat or a bunny are absolutely not a Christmas gift or a pet to be thrown away when you leave for the holidays: adopting an animal means taking on full responsibility for its entire life.

READ MORE: How to Let a Dog and Cat Live Together in the Same Home: Rules and Helpful Tips

If, after careful consideration, you have decided to make this very important choice, here is all the useful advice on how to adopt an animal, even from a distance :

HOW TO CHOOSE A DOG TO ADOPT

Visit a shelter and let your future pet choose and be won over. We don't always choose; sometimes they approach us spontaneously, and that's when we feel such a strong bond, as if the animal has always been part of our family.

You can also get advice from the shelter volunteers : they know the different residents well and know which animal will best suit your needs. For example, a small dog isn't necessarily best suited to apartment living; some are very lively and need more space or a garden . However, some larger dogs adapt very well to apartment living thanks to their calmer and more peaceful nature. The important thing is to ensure your dog gets at least 3-4 outings a day, especially if you have a park nearby where he can enjoy running and playing with other dogs.

Furthermore, for older people, it's best to choose a small dog, such as a poodle: they're very calm, don't pull on the leash, and live in perfect harmony with their owner. Choose a German Shepherd if you have a garden or the space to let them run outdoors. The adorable Labradors and Golden Retrievers are incredibly sweet and make perfect companions for children , even very young ones. And let yourself be captivated by the exuberance and strong character of the dachshund , Jack Russell , and Beagle . And if you'd love to have a Labrador but are captivated by the sweet gaze of a mixed breed instead, don't make the mistake of not welcoming one into your home; they are capable of providing endless affection.

Once you've identified your faithful friend, ask the volunteers to tell you their story , where they were found, whether they were abandoned, and whether they were abused . This is important for establishing a bond and interacting with them. The volunteers will also ask you some questions to determine which animal is best for you and gauge your confidence in your decision.

Once you've chosen the dog you'd like to bring home, you'll be asked to sign a form with your information and, in some cases, the animal will be entrusted to you for a pre-adoption period to assess the relationship between the owner and the animal. The first few days can be challenging, especially if the dog has a painful past or has been abused. If he appears frightened by his new environment and family, give him time, give him all your love, and you'll see that after a few days, once he realizes he can trust you implicitly, he'll reciprocate your love. Don't take him back to the shelter immediately; you don't want to give him another shock. In fact, if you need advice, don't hesitate to ask the shelter volunteers: they'll be able to advise you on the best way to handle the dog.

LEARN MORE: How to volunteer at a shelter, a unique experience

HOW TO CHOOSE A CAT TO ADOPT

Just like kennels, there are countless shelters for abandoned cats throughout Italy . Although cats have a decidedly different personality than dogs, they are only seemingly less affectionate: cats, too, are capable of showering their owners with affection. Charming, strong-willed, and sometimes completely unpredictable, some cat breeds are more sociable and communicative, while others are more reserved and reserved, such as the beautiful Persian cat.

As with choosing a dog, head to the shelter and let yourself be won over by the little guests : a great option would be to adopt two cats at the same time. A single cat can get bored, especially if you spend a lot of time away from home for work. Two cats, on the other hand, keep each other company and are truly fun to watch together.

The choice is yours whether to adopt a kitten or an adult cat. Remember that kittens must stay with their mother until they are 14-16 weeks old and require more commitment: they are very energetic and therefore may cause some messes in the house. They must be litter box trained and taken to the vet several times for vaccinations and checkups. Don't forget that an adult cat already has a well-defined personality, so you'll be able to more easily determine whether it will adapt to you and life in your new home. Again, don't forget to seek advice from shelter volunteers who know the different residents well, and ask them to share the story of the cat you choose to take home with you.

HOW TO ADOPT AN ANIMAL FROM A DISTANCE

If adopting an animal is your dream but unfortunately, for various reasons, you cannot welcome one into your home, an important choice is that of long-distance adoption which allows you to help not only abandoned dogs and cats hosted in shelters but also protected species, from pandas to birds of prey that have been cared for and released back into the wild.

Numerous organizations offer this option: for example, a small contribution is all it takes to help WWF protect an endangered species, including elephants, gorillas, bears, penguins, dolphins, tigers, parrots, turtles, and many others. LAV offers various types of long-distance adoptions (monthly, quarterly, and annual) to anyone interested. The National League for the Defense of the Dog allows you to choose a resident from the various shelters the organization serves and donate a small contribution toward their care.

HOW TO ADOPT AN ANIMAL, LOTS OF USEFUL TIPS:

• Pet Insurance: When It's Necessary and How to Avoid Costly Expenses
• How to play with your dog, and all the benefits of having fun together.
• How to bring dogs into bars and restaurants