How to Pick the Right Pooch from a Shelter

(CBS)  National Pet Week starts Sunday, and not a moment too soon.

An estimated 4 million shelter animals are euthanized each year because of a lack of space and resources.

So what better time to think about rescuing a dog?

Your family could add a cherished member.

But you have to be careful to try to assure you pick a pooch right for you and yours. Your new canine friend can come with some issues that require patience and special training.

On "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner Bell, who's also a CBS News correspondent, shared tips to help when you're adopting from a shelter or rescue organization.

She also brought along dogs from the North Shore Animal League, in Port Washington, on Long Island, N.Y. All are available for adoption.

With nearly 10 million dogs and cats in shelters around the country, according to The Humane Society of the United States, a rescue dog may be the way to go.

Some advantages of adopting a shelter dog

You're providing a much needed home for a homeless animal.

Some 25-30 percent of shelter animals are purebreds. So if you have your heart set on a purebred, shelters have them!

Good shelters will have already assessed the personality and temperament of the animal and will be able to correctly match the pet with the right family.

Shelters get new animals every day, so if you don't see something that you like, visit again at another time.

While many of the animals that end of up in shelters have had a difficult past (abuse, neglect, abandonment), it is still very possible to get a pet that is kind, gentle, fun, and loving. Most reputable shelters use trainers or behaviorist to evaluate the dogs that come into the shelter. Then, lots of time and resources are put into rehabilitating the dogs that need help. A good shelter WILL NOT adopt out a dangerous or defective animal. The last thing that they want is for that animal to end up back in the shelter or abandoned. So they work very hard to make sure adoption last for the life of the pet.

HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU

First, understand your lifestyle and expectations. You should choose a dog whose own natural traits best fit your lifestyle. If you lead a busy, active lifestyle, then you want a dog that fits your household. If you want a lap dog, then don't choose a Border Collie!

CCarefully look at the breeds or dogs that match your lifestyle. Spend time with each animal. Observe how the dog relates to you. Look for a "connection" with that dog. Often, the dog will "pick you" if you take the time to notice.

Avoid animals that look sick (i.e. runny nose or eyes, scaly skin, dull coat, open sores, lethargic, coughing or sneezing, etc.)

Pick a dog that is curious and alert, but not fearful or jumpy. When approached, the dog should accept your advances, sniff you, or even present her belly or rump to be scratched.

If you have other pets at home, observe how the shelter candidate interacts with other animals. Avoid those that display aggression toward or extreme fear of other animals. A very general rule of thumb when bringing home a dog with dogs already in the home, is to choose a dog that is younger and opposite sex of the dog you already have.

Before you make your final choice, take the ENTIRE family to the shelter to meet the dog. Sometimes, a dog will respond differently to different people. You don't want to find out that your new pet doesn't like 5 year old AFTER you get him home!

QUESTIONS TO ASK

Get a complete history of the animal that you are considering.

Age (although, sometimes there is no way for the shelter to know for sure.), breed, gender

Where the dog came from

What his previous living situation was

His medical history

How he's behaved since being at the shelter

Does the dog have any ongoing medical issues (cancer, diabetes, intestinal parasites, heartworms, etc.), and is the dog is on any medication

What follow up services the shelter provides, such as obedience training, consultation for behavioral problems, medical services

Ask about their return policy. It's important to know if you can return the dog if the adoption does not work out.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A SHELTER

Most shelters will conduct an interview with you to determine your lifestyle, resources, and dedication to providing a "forever home" for the animal. You usually will have to fill out a fairly exhaustive application that will ask questions about your employment, living situation, family members, income, other pets in the home, etc.

Many shelters ask for references and check them!

Some shelters will even conduct a home evaluation to make sure your living environment is suitable for a pet.

Animals will already have been spayed or neutered. Or you will have to provide assurance that you will spay or neuter your new pet as soon as they reach the appropriate age.

The animal will also already be vaccinated and de-wormed.

There is usually an adoption fee, but it is much less than the cost or purchasing an animal at a pet shop or breeder. Expect to pay anywhere from $50-150 or more.

Shelters have visiting hours, so call ahead to know when is the right time to show up.

After you've taken your newest, furriest family member home, often the shelter will call you to see how you and the new pet are doing.

[pbble]

@newstart1:

"BIG mistake, speutering dogs is one of the worst things a dog owner can do to their dog..."

Are you kidding me? This is the last place for this argument. You're more than welcome to your opinion, but when 5 MILLION unwanted animals are being killed each year because they're abused, homeless and starving in the streets, or just plain neglected, shelters SHOULD be speutering before they release animals. The idea is to decrease the population so this cycle will hopefully stop.

If people were generally responsible with intact pets, as I'm sure you are (and I'm not being snarky) we wouldn't have a pet overpopulation issue. Unfortunately, we can't rely on the general public to prevent their animals from mating, and we can't rely on them finding appropriate, loving, LIFE-LONG homes for these pets.

Take it from someone who spends most of their time in an animal shelter. It's an ugly, ugly world out there. And you're not the one pulling the trigger on the needle.

[snadeau02]

I understand and commend the intent of this news piece, but feel there is some misunderstanding about shelter and/or rescue dogs. Some of the information that was shared was somewhat inaccurate. The news piece stated that you should choose the dog with the bright coat, no runny eyes or nose, the dog that is eager and at the gate when you walk by. For many dogs in the shelter and/or rescue, they are there because of poor treatment, being abandoned, or surrendered. They are in a strange place, with strange people. Any of the dogs will stay in the back corner of the kennel, not because they are bad dogs, but because they are scared and confused. Due to poor living conditions in the past, many of them do have dull coats and may need a bath. They may have runny eyes, due to the introduction into the kennel or shelter. None of these points impact the adoptability of a shelter and/or rescue dog. In many ways they are like people. If any of use were taken out of our homes and placed in a strange place with strange people, in a small kennel, we would probably hid in the back corner of the kennel also. We have adopted two rescues and they are the most amazing dogs. Our first rescue had a very poor, dull coat and smelled horrible when we got him, but today he visits nursing homes and hospitals, brightening the day for many. When you choose a shelter and/or rescue animal, you save a life and add unmeasurable joy to your life.

[pbble]

I SOOOO agree! The shelter environment is very frightening for many dogs. Their true personality is quashed. Listen to the shelter associate, let them take a dog outside or into a room for you. They know the dogs best and once you interact with the pooch, that's when the true connection will be made!

[mahdeealoo]

Our pick 12 years ago was the best thing in our lives. Our shelter dog, I believe, is eternally grateful for being rescued just 15 minutes before lethal injection. She is the best dog I have known in my lifetime. Everyone has always loved her and we all hope she lives well past her expected years.

[formrusmcsgt]

I have never understood those who feel the need to have "pack mates".

[rsmik]

Even a lone wolf needs companionship.

[thesevenveils]

The words of a "cat person".

[GetAGrip007]

AuntChristineNYC you are so right! If I would have read this article before adopting my dog I would NOT have picked him. He was a 'second' chance dog. This means he had already spent several months at another shelter than was given a second chance at our local shelter. He was more than timid-he was petrified! His tail was lodged between his legs and his head hung low. He was also sick with kennel cough and his ribs were poking out. I took him to the vet that first day we got him- he was put on meds for his cough and I was told he probably was full grown. HA! He grew 6 inches taller and longer and gained 35 pounds! He is strikingly good looking and so confident and well behaved. And we get to feel good having saved him. Why did I pick him?! He has a patch on one eye that I found adorable. Can't imagine life without him.

[AuntChristineNYC]

I saw this segment this morning and I'm always pleased to see shelter pet adoption promoted. One thing I think was misleading. While its true the dog (or cat) that is hiding, timid in the back of the cage is showing fear, that doesn't mean it will be a fearful aggressive dog. I wouldn't pass that pet by based on how it looks inside a cage. If the dog or cat is the right breed/mix size and gender for you, ask to have him brought out to walk around and see how he interacts with his environment, if he shows curiousity, relaxes at all. Being caged is especially traumatic for little dogs...most will be cowering in the back and terrified at the noisy surroundings. Give a timid dog or cat a chance!

[puzzler125]

"CCarefully look at the breeds" but don't carefully edit your articles cbsnews.com!

[chaseangus]

This story makes me very sad. All those animals in terrible pet shops are forgotten by us. Do you know what happens to a puppy that reaches the age of 6 months on one of those places. They are sold for about $5 to the big pharmas and cosmetic companies for experiments. My vet said their fate is far worse than simply being injected for a quick death. Their lives and deaths are of a horror we can't understand.

[pbble]

@chaseangus

It is sad, I agree. This is why puppy mill have to be shut down. They are supplying pet shops, not reputable breeders. Keep in mind that pet shops have to keep animals on the shelves just like grocery stores have to keep their shelves stocked. I know that's a cold comparison, but they have to breed, breed, breed to keep those shelves stocked.

These animals aren't healthy, the moms back at the farm are abused by the amount of litters they're forced to have, and the conditions they live in are disgusting at best. Please don't support pet shops. The more that go out of business, the less unhealthy animals and greedy shop owners.