Getting a Pet

Thinking About Getting a Pet? 

Bringing a pet into your home is exciting and rewarding, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Taking time to prepare can help set both you and your future pet up for success. 

Before You Adopt

Here are a few important things to consider before bringing home a dog or cat: 

Budget

Some breeds may require more medical care than others. Prepare for routine expenses and unexpected emergencies.

Housing

Check apartment or housing rules for breed restrictions, weight limits, and pet policies before adopting.

Schedule

Think about how much time you can realistically dedicate to exercise, training, and companionship.

Lifestyle Match

Some pets are active and energetic, while others are happy relaxing at home. Choose a pet that fits your lifestyle.

Where Can You Get a Pet?

Did you know that you can search for the kind of pet you’d like to adopt, whether dog, cat, rabbit or more, in one place? You can even set up an alert for when pets are listed that meet your criteria! Search on Adopt-a-pet.com here.

Ever wonder what the difference is between getting a pet at a rescue or a shelter? Read more below to understand the differences and then look for pets at the organization that best matches how you’d like to find a pet.

Open intake animal shelters (ACCT Philly)

An open intake shelter takes in animals from the community no matter the situation (provided the animal is from Philadelphia). Unfortunately ACCT Philly is the only one in the region, and serves all of Philadelphia.

True open intake shelters accept:

  • stray animals
  • injured animals
  • pets people can no longer keep
  • animals from cruelty or emergency situations

Because open intake shelters take in all animals, they are often full and care for pets with many different backgrounds and needs. They have a facility that you can usually visit to walk through and see all of the available animals.

When you adopt from an open intake shelter, you are giving a pet a second chance. However often unless the pet is in a foster home, not as much is known about the pet’s history. Pets often come with lots of coupons for post adoption supplies and other discounts. Animals are vaccinated and spayed or neutered and because most open intake shelters do receive some funding from the city or state they are in, and therefor are often able to have lower adoption fees than rescues.

Rescue groups and limited admission shelters

Rescues and limited admissions shelters can choose which animals they take in. This means pets are usually with them longer, and they know them very well. Many rescues are volunteer based and run, which means they may be slower to respond to outreach because they’re operating a rescue while working their day jobs too! But adopting from a rescue or any kind of shelter helps save a life because it opens up a spot for another animal in need.

Many pets in rescue are placed in foster homes, where volunteers help care for them until they are adopted.

Some rescues focus on:

  • certain breeds
  • puppies or kittens
  • senior pets
  • or pets with special needs

Others take in all kinds of breeds, sizes, and ages!

Rescue groups often know a lot about a pet’s personality because they spend time with them in foster homes. Their adoption fees are usually higher than a shelter because they don’t receive city funding, but responsible rescues charge fees that cover the cost of the vet care they have provided their animals.

Responsible rescues will provide you with all the history that they have on the animal, and will accept the animal back if at any point you’re not able to care for them.

Responsible Breeders

This is an example of a Pennsylvania Kennel License. Click on the image to see what to look for to make sure a license is real.

You may also decide you want to go to a breeder. While of course we will always advocate for adopting a homeless pet in need, there are responsible breeders out there and some of them even help with rescue.

Responsible breeders:

  • Have a kennel license if they operate in Philadelphia
  • Allow you to meet the parents. Ideally the parents would also have health testing to make sure they’re not passing down bad genes that can cause health issues in dogs.
  • Have health records including vaccines for the puppies
  • Only have puppies for sale 8 weeks and older. Any younger is illegal in Pennsylvania and most states

You can see more tips on how to see if a breeder is responsible here.

Having AKC or UKC dogs does not indicate they are responsible, simply that they met a few requirements including a fee.

Be careful of breeders who:

  • always have puppies available
  • refuse to let you visit
  • sell pets very cheaply online
  • or pressure you to buy quickly

A responsible breeder will want to make sure the pet is a good fit for your home. It is important to note that the new law does impose fines on both individuals selling puppies as well as those purchasing them, so it is important if you do purchase from a breeder, to do your homework.

Bringing Your New Pet Home

The first few weeks can be overwhelming for pets. Give them time to adjust to their new environment.

Many pets are nervous or overwhelmed in a new place. It takes time for them to feel safe. They will not be the same dog you saw at the shelter, rescue or breeder’s home. They will be more stressed, and need time to take in their new surroundings.

Help your new pet adjust by:

  • Give them a quiet space to rest
  • Introduce people and pets slowly
  • Keep a consistent routine
  • Be patient and understanding

Some pets may take a few days to relax, while others may take a few months.