Adopting a dog: How to know if it's a good shelter
It's unfortunate that we have to write an article on this subject, but it's a fact: not all shelters or associations are created equal . In this article, we'll offer essential points to consider to help you make an informed, responsible, and calm decision if you're thinking about adopting a dog from a shelter.
Reputation
This first point is fundamental. In the age of social media, with its constant online reviews and feedback, it's very easy to get a quick initial impression online about the reputation of a shelter or animal welfare organization. Most of them have Facebook or Instagram pages, and you'll often find extremely useful information in the comments and testimonials. This feedback is often genuine and offers an informed perspective on the management and treatment of the animals at the shelter in question. You can also take the time to speak with people who have already adopted dogs from that shelter or, even better, who have recently volunteered there.
At Goofy Goldens, we work with 2 high-quality local associations in particular and a Facebook group like hundreds of others:
Lou Chi & Co: the refuge
Lou Chi is a shelter specializing in rescuing farm animals. They take in puppies from clandestine litters or dogs that breeders want to get rid of because they can't sell them, or because the dog has a disability or "imperfection." They also take in older dogs who have been used for breeding their entire lives and are no longer needed and are therefore discarded. Lou Chi cares for the dogs, provides them with comprehensive care, and finds temporary foster homes before placing them permanently with adoptive families. It was through this organization that we, for example, rescued Ulane, our little Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who found her forever home.
The CPA: The Animal Protection Center
The CPA is also a very active association in the Loire region. For example, we rescued Arès, Youki, Benji, Liroy, and Chouquette. What makes this association unique, unlike other associations or shelters that take in abandoned dogs or have them brought to them, is that this shelter directly combats animal abuse by going directly to the homes of abusers to rescue mistreated dogs. It's a courageous association that often requires the intervention of law enforcement to rescue dogs from their suffering and ensure the safety of those involved.
Adopting a Golden Retriever
For example, we also adopted one of our dogs, Tosca, through a Facebook group we've been following for a while. It's a group of enthusiasts specializing in rescuing Golden Retrievers and Golden Retriever mixes. The team is caring and very dedicated; however, and likely due to the sheer number of rescues they have to handle, there's no post-adoption follow-up, which could be a major area for improvement to ensure the long-term success of adoptions.
Dog living conditions
We strongly advise you to schedule a visit to the shelter before making a decision so you can personally assess the dogs' living conditions. Ask specific questions about how the animals are treated at the shelter. This should include essential details about how they are housed (kennel size, access to the outdoors, heating/air conditioning), fed (food quality, frequency), cared for (cleanliness of the facilities), and, most importantly, how they are socialized and mentally stimulated. It is crucial to ensure that the animals receive quality care and are treated with compassion and respect throughout their stay. Unfortunately, many shelters do not meet minimum health standards or have forgotten their core mission, simply managing the flow of animals rather than protecting them. Worse still, some shelters, in collusion with animal control services, euthanize animals en masse. If the mentality is "No room for this dog? No problem, we won't try to find solutions, we'll euthanize," this should be an immediate red flag.
Veterinary care
A reputable shelter will ensure that dogs receive regular veterinary care, including initial vaccinations and boosters, microchipping, routine spaying/neutering (unless there is a major medical contraindication), and immediate treatment for any illness or injury. Most shelters and animal welfare organizations work closely with veterinary clinics with whom they have negotiated discounted rates to optimize resources. Some larger shelters may have veterinarians on-site, but more commonly, partners are located nearby. A shelter or animal welfare organization that doesn't have a clearly identified veterinary partner or doesn't provide proof of care should raise a red flag. This is an indicator of a failure to meet minimum welfare standards, and therefore a major concern.
Adoption process
Learn all about the shelter's adoption process (see our dedicated article: *Adopting a Dog from a Shelter: Best Practices and Procedures*). A good shelter should conduct proper checks on prospective owners, including a thorough questionnaire, interviews, and sometimes home visits. These steps are necessary to ensure that dogs are placed in truly suitable and safe homes. The fact that the shelter comes to your home to check the environment (fenced yard, overall security, atmosphere) is an excellent sign. It means they are committed to ensuring the dog's safety, which demonstrates a strong dedication to the animal and the success of the adoption.
Commitment to animal welfare
A quality shelter demonstrates a genuine commitment by implementing structured socialization programs for dogs. These programs are essential to help them adapt to positive interactions with humans, children, and other animals. This may include supervised play sessions, regular outdoor walks, daily interactions with volunteers, and group training sessions for basic obedience. There are also education programs, which provide ongoing training for potential adopters on the specific needs of dogs, including how to meet their nutritional, exercise, and mental health requirements. Advice on canine behavior may also be provided, covering topics such as aggression, separation anxiety, and socialization issues, which significantly increases the chances of a successful and lasting adoption.
A quality shelter will encourage responsible adoption not only through initial screening, but also by assessing the prospective owner's lifestyle, past experience with animals, and actual ability to care for a dog. They will also provide resources on the responsibilities of pet ownership, including the importance of spaying/neutering for birth control, mandatory microchipping, and the commitment to providing quality care throughout the animal's life, which can last 10 to 15 years.
As for associations, they more often act in emergency situations and require quick responses (rescue, release from the pound). Thus, they rely heavily on foster families for the initial phase of socialization, basic training, and emotional rehabilitation of the animal.
Transparency
Finally, a quality shelter should be fully transparent about its practices, internal policies, and financial management. Don't hesitate to ask specific questions about their procedures, animal treatment policies (including euthanasia statistics, if applicable), and funding policies. An ethical shelter will always be open to explaining its procedures and policies in detail. This includes clear information on how animals are received, assessed, and cared for, as well as the protocols followed for animal adoption, including adoption requirements, associated fees, trial periods, and return policies in case the adoption fails.
- A quality shelter should be transparent about its sources of funding: donations from individuals, public subsidies, adoption fees, and other sources of income.
- It must demonstrate how these funds are specifically used to support the shelter's activities and the well-being of the animals housed there (food, veterinary care, facility maintenance, salaries). Transparent shelters are often willing to share annual financial reports or other relevant documents to justify the use of resources.
By requesting information on all these aspects, you can better assess the transparency and good management of a shelter and make an informed decision regarding your future involvement.