Adopting A Rescue Dog - The First Seven Days

Looking for some sound advice on your new adoption? This free book contains some great tips on starting your new adoption on the right foot, or paw.

How To Adopt Successfully

Thank you for considering a Shelter pet!  Every year, the Sauk County Humane Society shelters over 1,700 homeless, abandoned, or stray pets.

At the Sauk County Humane Society, we want the best for the animals we adopt out, and we want the best for you as an adopter! With that in mind, we do not adopt on a first come, first served basis. If we predict bad situations for the pets or the people, adoption privileges can be refused.

The Sauk County Humane Society recognizes that all sorts of situations work well for both pets and people. We make the adoption process easy, fun, and positive. We want you to adopt from us and become a loyal supporter and member of SCHS. Adopting a homeless pet can be a wonderful way to do a good thing, and get a new friend for life!

YOU PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAKING A POSITIVE ADOPTION! PLEASE FOLLOW THESE SUGGESTIONS!

Fill out your Adoption Application

SCHS holds applications "open" for 6 months. We allow "same day" adoptions - if one's application is approved!

Here's the process for making a "same day" adoption:
1) Fill out our adoption application.                                                                         

 2)Print it off, and fill it out legibly and accurately.

 3) Mail the completed application to SCHS, 618 HWY 136, Baraboo, WI 53913, fax it to us at 608-356-2519, or drop it off at the Shelter during our open hours.

 4) Give us time to receive your application and confirm your information. Before coming, please call us at 608-356-2520 to make sure we received your information and have had time to process your application.

 5) After you know that your application has been approved, come meet the pet of your dreams, and take it home with you that very day!

Do Your Homework

Think long and hard before adopting a pet. Ask yourself questions like:

-What pet will be right for our family?
-Are we willing to handle the demands of a pet?
-Can we afford a pet at this time?

Study how to select and train an appropriate pet for you                                                   
Using your local library system's resources you can learn how to select the right pet and how to train it once you own it. A second source would be the internet.

Find a pet professional

If you're adopting a dog enroll it in an obedience class. All animals need training and having a trainer lined up or a book to follow is very helpful.

Pick a veterinarian

It is important to have an appointment with a veterinarian the first day you take your new family member home with you.
Remember, any pet can get sick, so you need to be prepared for vet costs!
When adopting through SCHS, you have the option of activating ShelterCare Pet insurance. If interested, ask for details about this program when adopting and check with your vet to see if he/she accepts that sort of insurance. Also, we recommend you keep your new pet separate from any current pets for a week or two, to minimize them "sharing" illnesses!

Be prepared

Before your new pet comes home:
-Purchase necessary equipment like dog crates, brushes, gates, food, and litter boxes.
-"Pet proof" your home by putting away poisons and valuables, selecting a good place for a litter box; etc.
-Have an "introduction plan". Keep things calm, and have a plan for introducing old pets to the new pet. This can prevent problems later, like illness and behavior issues.
We recommend keeping old and new pets separate for a quarantine period.

Most Important: Learn (from a professional trainer, library resources, etc) the best way to introduce a new pet to family members, especially young children. Carefully watch all early interactions, to detect signs of anger or fear in the new pet toward a child.
-Select a veterinarian before adopting, and make an appointment for the same day you adopt or very soon after.
-Make arrangements for your pet during your absences:
1. Do you have a good fenced yard?
2. Do you have a crate and knowledge to crate-train your new dog?
3. Do you have one, or even two, litter boxes set-up for your new cat?

While adopting, take your time and ask the Shelter staff for advice

Don't rush into adopting. Our staff will be glad to tell you what they know about each individual animal. But please understand that since most of our animals are strays we often know very little about their pasts.


There Is No Such Thing As A Free Pet

BEWARE
There is no such thing as a free pet.
There are a lot of things to consider when bringing a new animal into your home.
1. Can I afford to buy a crate, and if necessary pay for training?
2. Can I provide my new companion with the exercise and stimulation they will require?
3. Can I afford the basic medical care required for my pet to be safe and comfortable? Is it spayed or neutered? Have I looked into what is required and what it will cost? How do I go about getting my pet licensed with the city?
4. Have I considered what I will do in the event that my animal requires more extensive and expensive medical care?
5. Can I afford proper food for my pet?
6. Do I have a lifestyle that will be a good fit for a pet?
7. Can I provide my pet with a safe home environment?

Companion animals rely on their humans to provide health visits, food, shelter, entertainment,
and affection. When you take on a new pet, it is a MAJOR commitment. Are you ready?