Understanding pet adoption: What to expect when adopting a shelter animal

Can’t get the idea of a new furry companion out of your head? A pouncing puppy, so cute and so fuzzy? A cuddly cat, curled in your lap? Well, if those animals had telepathy, they’d be telling you to adopt a pet from a shelter. KSL Classifieds is passionate about responsible pet ownership, so we’ve created this guide to help you understand the pet adoption process.

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What to expect in the pet adoption process

You’ve finally stopped looking, because you found your furry soulmate. Fur-tastic! But remember to stay practical before following through. 

We can feel the excitement from both human and pet!

Research

You’ll want to make sure the shelter you’re adopting from is reputable with humane practices. To really be sure that place is reputable, visit the shelter to interact with your pet first. Make sure there are no personality clashes between you and the animal. Additionally, consider these imperatives before taking your little pal home.

• Time commitment: Can you actually give this pet the time it requires? Understand the breed (if getting a dog) and its activity needs.

• Costs: Can you afford to pay for adoption fees, veterinary care, food, toys and any potential accidents your pet may have?

• Owner adjustments: Would you need to change anything about your lifestyle to accommodate your pet, such as adjusting your work schedule?

• Pet adjustments: Consider how the pet will adjust to your current living situation. Do you have kids, but the pet has never spent time with children?  

Be patient with your pet as it adjusts to a new living situation.

Our commitment: Initiatives and features

Adopting a forever friend is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make, but it’s essential to understand and practice ethical pet adoption. To make that process easier for adopters, KSL Classifieds has implemented several methods to crack down on unethical breeders and sellers. 

Our features have made the verification process a little more in depth to ensure breeders are in line with the values at KSL Classifieds. 

• Listing fees for cats and dogs: This encourages listers to have a more vested interest in the animal’s wellbeing. It also creates a better user experience by avoiding spam listings. 

• Adoption filter: Soon we will have a filter to make it easier for users to find pets from shelters.

• Maximum listing price: We capped the listing price to weed out unethical breeders who would take advantage of buyers and pets alike.

• Educational content: We are creating more content to help you stay educated about ethical pet adoption and responsible pet ownership. 

There are resources available if you need a little extra help caring for your pet.

Read our pet-friendly content!

We’ve partnered with local shelters and animal rights groups to ensure we are up to adoption standards, and to facilitate adoption whenever possible. 

• Petfinder: KSL Classifieds pulls Petfinder listings from enrolled shelters to include on our site. This ensures ethical pet adoption and makes it easier for users to find pets from a caring location.

• Strut Your Mutt: KSL Classifieds is a proud sponsor of this event put on by Best Friends to encourage pet adoption and fostering.

• Free Adoption Week: We partnered with the Humane Society of Utah for a free pet adoption week, during which we paid all the pet adoption fees. Over 100 pets were adopted that week!

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We’re here to help

After you’ve had your adopted pet home for a week or so, that excitement may turn into confusion or feelings of overwhelm. There’s no shame in being unsure how to continue to help your pet. Post adoption support is important, and KSL Classifieds is committed to your success in responsible pet ownership.

Reach out to KSL Classifieds to get connected with local shelters for ongoing guidance and support or more pet adoption tips. 

Contact KSL Support

KSL Classifieds sees pets for the special members of our community that they are. That’s why we encourage you to adopt from your local shelters and browse the KSL Classifieds pet adoption section. Remember, responsible pet ownership can start with responsible pet adoption. Check our Resources page for more tips on buying and selling pets. 

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