A dog adoption in San Diego gives you the option of selecting virtually any dog breed that you want. You can go home with an adult or a puppy. The choice is all yours. What is more is that if you don’t want the pure breed, you will find fabulous mixed breeds to pick from. Even so, most people don’t know how the process works. The first thing you need to understand is that you can adopt from a shelter or a rescue. Here is what you can expect.
Adoption shelter
There are both public and private shelters. It will be very easy for you to find a dog shelter in San Diego with a simple Internet search. You will find both city and county animal shelters. For the private shelters, you will come across names like ‘humane society’ or the ‘SPCA’. You can proceed with a puppy adoption in either a public or private shelter. The process of adoption is virtually the same.
Go for shelters that have a physical facility with experienced staffs and favorable working hours. You can go through their website to learn more about their selection and adoption process. You must, however, never adopt without first seeing the dog.
The adoption process is often distinct. The typical steps you will have to take include:
- Find the pet you want
- Visit the shelter to see the pet. Some shelters allow you to spend time with the dog that you want.
- Fill the paperwork and pay a small fee. The average fee is between $25 and $125. Ask for copies of the pet’s vaccination records as well as sterilization certificate. This will allow you to get him licensed.
- Take him home
Adopting from a rescue
The second option you have is that of using a dog rescue in San Diego. These are basically private boarding or foster homes for dogs. They are run by volunteers. You might have heard of their adoption events. Ensure you learn more about a dog before proceeding with the rescue. The website of a rescue will give you information on the rescue process. The process of a rescue is as follows:
- Find the pet you like
- Contact the rescue center via email or in person
- Meet the pet and spend some time with him
- Bring the pet home. The fee here is between $100 and $300.
There are many reasons why you should consider going with a puppy rescue or adoption. You can use either a rescue or a shelter. The process and fees are virtually the same. Don’t be surprised to find a center that offers both rescue and adoption options.