Discover the right questions to ask yourself before adopting a dog from a shelter for a successful encounter
Adopting a dog from a shelter is a good thing: you save a life and prevent another dog from being euthanized by freeing up space at the shelter. When you visit a shelter, you'll probably want to rescue all the dogs. You'll feel sorry for them all and want to take them all home. However, not every dog will be the right fit for you. To avoid disappointment for both of you, it's important to carefully consider the dog that will be joining your life. In this article, we'll help you ask the right questions to help you make your choice.
What is this dog's story? Do we know its past, its previous behavior, any traumas it may have experienced, or its medical history?
A dog's history is crucial. A dog that has been beaten by a human will not need the same support as a dog whose owner has sadly passed away. A dog abandoned due to a chronic illness will not react in the same way as a beaten dog. In the first case, the dog may be very mentally stable and require only basic treatment, whereas in the second case, it will need time, trust, and in-depth behavioral work.
It's the association's role to guide you as much as possible based on the information they've gathered. Sometimes, associations don't have data, and you learn as you go. We rescued a dog, Youki, a mistreated border collie who was living in unsanitary conditions where people heated their homes by burning wood in a barrel… apart from that, we didn't have any more information, and it was quite a challenge. He fought for everything: sleep, food. He was incredibly tense. But it only lasted three days… That just goes to show you how dogs can't speak, but they understand everything; they analyze their environment, and Youki quickly understood that he was safe, that he had his own bed, his own food bowl. With patience, a dog can change in no time.
How old is he? Does an older dog cost more to care for than a younger one?
These questions are obvious, but they are important. Depending on the dog's age, you'll need to prepare for a different kind of "mission." A young dog will require time for training and learning canine etiquette. Often more boisterous, it will need patience and kindness. An older dog may already know basic commands but could have issues such as separation anxiety. A senior dog will need to see the vet more regularly, even for a simple check-up.
What is its temperament? Is it suitable for a home with children, other animals, or elderly people? Does it have any known behavioral problems?
Understanding a dog's temperament is essential. You want a dog to enrich your home, not make it unbearable. So, if you have children, cats, another dog, or other pets, make sure your new dog already accepts the existing environment. Even though dogs generally adapt quite well, it can sometimes take a long time, even years, to get a dog that dislikes cats to accept a cat. It's best to save yourself time and energy. This issue becomes even more crucial if you have children or elderly people in your household.
Is he neutered/spayed and up-to-date on his vaccinations? What are his specific needs in terms of care, food, or health?
Normally, shelter dogs are spayed or neutered. The shelter or rescue organization takes care of it, but sometimes, in an emergency rescue situation, the dog will end up in your home before being spayed or neutered. The organization will then ask you to take care of it, even though, in most cases, they cover the costs. Occasionally, smaller organizations simply don't have the resources to do it.
What is its energy level? Does it need a lot of exercise or is it more calm? Is it used to living indoors or outdoors?
Tailor your choice to your lifestyle. If you're athletic, take advantage of it and choose an energetic dog like a sheepdog, mountain dog, or hunting dog. It will be thrilled, and so will you—you'll have an adventure companion that can follow you everywhere. If you're more of a homebody or city dweller, choose a dog of the same type, but above all, don't choose a dog based on its looks!
For example, an Australian Shepherd is completely unsuitable if you live in a 30m² apartment in the city and never go outside. It seems obvious, yet many dogs rescued by animal shelters lived on balconies or in rooms that never saw the light of day. It's crucial to align the dog's needs with your daily reality.
Is he used to being alone at home? How does he react when his owners are away?
Just like energy levels, this is an extremely important issue. Many rescue dogs can react badly and struggle when you leave for work, especially those who have already experienced painful separations. Don't panic, it's something that can be worked on! Contact a qualified trainer to help them cope with being alone and prevent them from wreaking havoc in your home.
For example, we took in a shelter dog, Neptune, who had been caged for six years and couldn't stand being alone, not even for 15 minutes. It was impossible to go shopping without him damaging the walls, scratching until he hurt himself. It took a long time to teach him that when you're away, you always come back.
What is her experience with leash walking and basic training?
This point is important depending on the breed of dog you choose. For example, if your 45 kg Beauceron doesn't know how to walk on a leash and you weigh only slightly more than him, then this could be a problem. He might pull you along at every opportunity during walks, and you risk eating dirt, or worse. Without proper control of your dog, accidents can happen. I weigh about 80 kg, and our 40 kg dog, Ares, knocked me over several times during training. You need to be realistic: you must be able to control your dog in all situations.
Are there any restrictions or special conditions for its adoption?
Reputable animal welfare organizations will ask you for information before entrusting you with a dog: what type of accommodation you live in, whether you have a yard or not, your job, how much time you can dedicate to the dog, if you have other pets, etc. This is normal; they want to ensure that it's a good match between you and the dog. Some will even visit your home to make sure the environment is suitable. Don't take this the wrong way; it's a good sign, indicating an organization committed to the entire process.
Is there post-adoption follow-up or assistance available if problems arise?
There are several possible scenarios. Some associations entrust the dog to you, making you its new owner. In this case, the dog is entirely your responsibility. However, the association may be able to offer you access to its network and preferential rates if it's a local association and you live within its service area.
We have also worked with associations that, once a dog is rescued and even placed, remain the property of the association (the animal is placed under a contract with the association). These associations operate this way because they prefer to always keep an eye on the placed animal. Don't worry, the dog is yours, and you can train it and travel with it as you wish. It's simply an additional guarantee for the dog's well-being. This guarantee also applies to expenses: associations operating this way often leave you responsible for food, but when it comes to veterinary costs, they support you and contribute as much as possible. So this is reassuring for you as well.
Regarding post-adoption follow-up, many associations offer this service. This means that approximately once a year, they will call or visit you to check on your pet, see if everything is going well, if you have any unresolved issues, or have any other specific requests. Unfortunately, due to a lack of time or volunteers, sometimes these follow-ups only take place once every two or three years. Therefore, please feel free to send photos and updates; the associations will always be delighted to see that your dog is doing well.
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