Let’s say you’re new to the adoption process, or you have previous pet experience…but getting a dog is a unique experience that every pet parent should be well-informed about. And if you’re thinking “there’s probably a lot I don’t know”, think again!
Adopting a new pet is an exciting time for both the owner and the pet, but it can also be stressful. The good news is there are a lot of good questions to ask that will make the process go smoother.
The process of adopting a pet is a lot like buying a new car.
You have to research your options and make sure you’re getting exactly what you need, or at least something that’s close enough. You also want to be sure you’re paying the right price for that thing, so you need to make sure you’re not getting ripped off—or paying too much more than everyone else.
Once you’ve found the perfect pet for your family, it’s time to take it home! And just like bringing home a new car, there are some logistics involved: finding a place in your house where the pet can stay while it gets used to its new surroundings, finding all the paperwork and information about how to care for that animal, making sure it has all its shots and vaccinations, etc.
Once all those things are taken care of—and once everyone in the household has agreed on whether or not they want this furry friend around—then it’s time for the final step: naming!
Adopting a pet is a wonderful experience. The process of adoption can seem overwhelming, but there are many resources available to help you find the right pet for your family and make sure that the animal is healthy, happy, and well-adjusted.
Before you begin your search for a new pet, it’s important to know what kind of animal you want. If you already have a dog or cat at home, you may want to consider getting another dog or cat from the same breed. If your current pets don’t get along well with others, you might want to consider adopting an animal that has been raised around other animals.
In addition to considering the type of animal you want in your home, it’s also important to consider their size and age. Taking into account these factors will help ensure that your new pet will be happy in their forever home!
Adopting a pet is a big decision. It’s not just the responsibility you take on, but the emotional investment that comes with it. That’s why it’s so important to do your research before deciding on which pet to adopt.
First, you’ll want to decide what kind of animal you’re looking for. Do you want a cat or a dog? What about fish? Birds? Reptiles? The answer depends on your lifestyle and home environment, as well as your personality. You should also consider how much time you can spend with the animal, how much space it will need, whether it will be alone much of the day (for example, if you work long hours), and what kind of training or care it may need in order to be happy in its new home.
If you’ve decided on a specific kind of pet, then it’s time to look into adoption agencies near you that specialize in that type of animal. These organizations have done their research and know more than anyone else about what kind of animals are available for adoption at any given time—and they’ll also be able to tell you everything they know about each one! They can also help answer any questions
Process Of Adopting A Pet
Their lives do matter.
When we rescue a dog from the streets, we also take on the responsibility of finding the dog a good and suitable home. With an innocent life in our hands, the onus is on us to ensure its well-being and safety.
Whether you are an experienced or first-time dog owner, we believe that being a responsible adopter entails adapting to a different lifestyle and embracing the responsibilities that come with it.
At SOSD, we adopt a meticulous screening process to ensure the best outcome for both the adopter and the dog. We believe every genuine and serious adopter will understand the care taken in our screening process, which is done in the best interests of the dog.
Some things we look out for when you adopt a dog:
- Why do you want to adopt a dog?
Yes, it’s important for us to understand why you are adopting. Puppies may be cuddly and adorable (yes, we at SOSD go gaga over doe-eyed puppies too!), but it cannot be the primary reason for adopting, as people tend to get bored of them when they grow out of their cute stage. Adopters should have a genuine love for the dog and a commitment to ensure the dogs’ continued well-being, and this will entail time, effort and expense. - Do you have the agreement of your entire household to adopt a dog?
As the age-old adage goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” A dog might not be a child, but the unwavering support required from your household remains the same. Thus, we would need to speak to the entire household to be sure that everybody is agreeable to committing to adopt a new family member. It is also a great way for us to get to know the potential family that the dog will be spending its lifetime with and answer any queries they may have. We’d also like to talk to the main caretaker of the dog, and get to know him/her. - What is your lifestyle like?
Finding a dog whose energy levels match your lifestyle is beneficial for all involved. For example, an adopter who is mostly out of the house or who is very busy will not be suited for a dog that requires a lot of daily exercise and stimulation, and may be better paired with an older or more sedentary dog. - Where will the dog’s home be?
While landed properties are most ideal, dogs can do very well living in apartments, as long as their basic needs are met daily and they are given a huge dose of TLC! Living space is an important consideration, particularly for apartment living — being a considerate neighbour helps foster a harmonious environment. - Pre-adoption and follow up visits by our SOSD Rehomer.
Pre- and post-adoption home visits help us understand how the dog will be living, and to ensure that, post-adoption, both dog and family are adapting well. - Are you a first-time adopter or dog owner?
Life as a street dog can be very hard. Some have been abused; some have had other bad, traumatic experiences with humans. They will require adopters who will be very patient, loving and understanding to help them regain their confidence and trust of humans again. For happy, loving endings (don’t we all love those?), we will offer first-time dog owners extra guidance, and careful pairing of the dog to the adopter. - Are you financially prepared to care adequately for the dog?
Like us humans, dogs need their regular vaccines and access to quality healthcare, in the event that they fall ill. Veterinary care in Singapore does not tend to be cheap. Thus, it will be prudent to do some research and get an idea of the financial commitment required to provide adequate care for the dog you intend to adopt. We may sound like strict headmasters and mistresses (we are in reality really friendly!), but it all stems from our passion, love and sense of responsibility for our furkids. As such, we want to ensure that our dogs go to homes in which they will be loved and cherished. It is the very least we can do for them — because their lives do matter.
Once you’ve given it due consideration and decide that it’s a commitment you are ready to undertake, we welcome you to Register Your Adoption Interest Here!
The Dog Adoption Process
Before you decide on a lifetime of bliss together with your potential dog, here’s what to expect:
- One-Week Home Stay
This is the period for you and your dog to get acquainted with each other. Take this time to understand your dog’s needs and to ascertain if its temperament is suitable for your home environment, and this includes members of your family as well. - House Visits
An SOSD Rehomer will need to visit your home:- Before home stay: to assess your living conditions and if it’s suitable for the dog.
- During home stay: to assess your relationship with your dog and check on its well-being. This is a great time to bring up any issues or concerns you may have to your assigned dog rehomer.
- After home stay: to sign the adoption papers and officiate your new addition to your home!
- Subsequently: necessary post-adoption house visits.
- Adoption Fee
All adopters need to pay a non-refundable adoption fee of $300. This is to cover the cost of microchipping, three vaccinations, sterilisation and administration. - Sterilization
If your puppy is yet to be 6 months of age, a sterilisation voucher will be issued to you for use at any of our pre-approved veterinary clinics when it is ready. Should you have a preferred clinic, please bring proof of sterilisation to SOSD within four weeks of sterilisation. Sterilisation helps to prevent unwanted puppy litters in your community, and can also help to curb certain behavioural issues and aid in the prevention of some cancers in dogs.