Questions To Ask A Shelter Or Rescue Before Adopting A Dog
Below is a list of questions I recommend you ask before you adopt a dog, no matter the breed. Next to each question you will see either a S, R or S/R which signifies whether a question should be asked to a shelter or rescue or both.
How long has the dog been with your rescue or shelter? (S/R)
Do you know the age of the dog? (S/R)
Has he/she been adopted out and returned or would this be their first adoption? (S/R)
If they have been returned what was the reason? (S/R)
How did the dog wind up in your rescue or shelter? Were they a stray, surrender etc.? (S/R)
Do you know the previous owner or breeder? (S/R)
What kind of condition was the dog in when you received them? (S/R)
How long has your rescue been helping dogs? (R)
What is your policy if the dog is not a good match for our family after we bring them home? (S/R)
If I take my dog to the vet after adopting him/her and find there is a severe illness, does your rescue assist us in any way? (S/R)
Is there any signs of physical or mental abuse I should know about? (S/R)
Please note that rescues are only funded by donations.
While some rescues might actually help with vet bills if they adopt out an unknowingly ill dog, many are not in the financial state to assist.
While I recommend asking this question, please do not expect them to help!
We have a full guide to getting help with vet bills if this is a concern at any time.
Asking about the health of the dog is important!
Taking a dog home and finding health issues is something no adopter wants.
These are some basic questions to help you understand the health of the dog.
Does the dog need to be spayed or neutered? If yes, will you take care of it before we adopt? (S/R)
Has a heartworm test been done and if negative have preventatives been given? (S/R)
If positive for heartworm has treatment been started or completed? (S/R)
Are all vaccinations up to date including Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Bordatello? (S/R)
Can I get copies of the medical records to date if I adopt the dog? (S/R)
Does the dog have a microchip? If not, will it be done before adoption? (S/R)
When was the dogs’ last full physical exam? (S/R)
Has the dog had a dental exam done? (S/R)
Are you aware of any medical issues that I should be aware of? (S/R)
Is there any special requirements for grooming or bathing? (S/R)
Does the dog require any specific foods? (S/R)
Make sure you do your own due diligence as well.
When you see the dog check some of the following:
Eyes should look clear and bright
The nose should be free from discharge
Ears should be clean and not show redness or infection
Teeth should be free from tartar and gums should be pink. Older dogs may show some signs of decay, but you do want to make sure it is still somewhat healthy.
Fur should be clean and free from lesions or infections
Of course a vet visit will be the first thing you want to do after you adopt a dog.
But looking at these few things will help you see their general overall health.
If you are enjoying this post and find it useful, well guess what – you can get a PDF of it! This PDF has all the questions listed here that you can print and take with you. Enter your email and you will receive an email with a link to download and print at home.
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These questions will give you insight into whether the dog has any behavioral issues that may affect your decision to adopt.
Please understand that a shelter may have less answers about a dog’s background and personality than a rescue since it is very hard to assess a dog in a shelter environment.
Do not get frustrated if a shelter cannot answer your questions.
They may not be able to give you a great answer or know how to answer the question.
Will the dog be good with children? If so, what ages are recommended? (S/R)
Has there been any reactivity issues with men, women or children? (S/R)
Have you noticed issues with barking or jumping? (S/R)
Is the dog, cat or small animal friendly? (S/R)
Has the dog been in social gatherings with other dogs? Can I take him safely to dog parks or on walks with other dogs? (S/R)
Are there any signs of fear aggression? If so, what are the triggers? (S/R)
Are there any issues with chewing or destructive behavior? (S/R)
Has the dog been left alone for long periods of time? If so, has there been any sign of separation anxiety? Is barking an issue for example? (R)
Have you noticed any signs of resource guarding of people, toys, food etc.? (S/R)
Is there any bite history? (S/R)
Has he been tested in the car to see how he does? Does he get car sick or anxious or is the ride an enjoyable experience? (R)
Has the dog been around children in the home or elsewhere? How was the reaction? (R)
Is the dog a love-bug type or prefers to be a loner? (S/R)
Where has the dog been sleeping at night? Crate, people bed, dog bed etc. (R)
Has the dog had any accidents in the home during their foster experience? (R)
If you have other pets or children, it is important to be sure the dog has been cat (or small animal) and kid tested.
The shelter will typically test to make sure a dog can be in a home with kids or other pets.
I would highly recommend a “meet-n-greet” with the rescue or shelter if you have other dogs in the home.
Bring your dog to the shelter or foster home and let them meet to see if they could potentially get along.
These questions will help you understand the level of training a dog may have or not had and what motivates them to have a more positive behavior.
Is the dog leash trained? Do they pull? Is there a leash style you recommend? (S/R)
Is there any leash behaviors I should be aware of? Fearful of things, barks at bicyclists etc.? (S/R)
Has the dog had any formal training either before being with you or during their time with your organization? If so, was it basic training or something for behavioral issues or other type? (S/R)
If they have had training do you know what kind it was? Force-free, shock collar etc. (S/R)
Does the dog know any special commands like sit, stay or any other tricks? (S/R)
Will the dog stay in a crate for any length of time? Does he enjoy the crate or is he destructive. (R)
Is the dog potty trained? How often do they go and how do they let you know. (R)
Personality plays a big part in how well a dog can acclimate to your family.
These are some of the more important questions to ask to ensure you get the best match possible for your unique family.
Does he/she have any quirks or unique personality traits I should know about? (S/R)
What is their energy level? High energy, low energy, total couch potato etc. (S/R)
Tell me about some of their favorite things to do. Chasing a ball, going for walks, swimming etc. (R)
Will they snuggle up at night when it is “quiet time” or will they continue to be active? (R)
Think about the things your family loves to do together.
If you love to camp together, ask about that.
If you are an avid hiker or sportsman be sure to ask if the dog you are considering is up for that challenge with you.
Your primary role as a foster parent is to be a loving and patient caretaker while your foster dog acclimates to domestic life. Your “job” as a foster parent is to learn all about the dog’s personality and behaviors, in order to help find a great adopter.
Once you are approved by the rescue group and confirm your commitment to fostering for a certain duration, please keep your promise, for the pup’s sake.
Part of fostering is about taking a risk– an exciting one!– and you can’t always know everything about your incoming foster dog before they arrive. Stay patient and understanding when learning about your foster dog’s personality and behaviors; this will be a big help to the rescuers and to the dog’s future adopter!
Some rescues work with a trainer, and are happy to connect you if you want to have a call or session with them to make sure you are following the rescue’s guidelines, as well as properly handling and training your foster dog. Many dogs are treat-motivated and respond well to positive reinforcement. Remember: consistency is key!
Meeting dogs who have been living in a kennel/shelter environment:
If you are meeting a dog that has been living in a kennel, keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for a dog’s personality to be hindered in that environment, and (sometimes) take weeks to develop once in a home setting. (In my opinion, these are some of the most rewarding adoptions!) That said, there is lots of information that you can learn about these dogs from their caregivers.
Is there a staff member or volunteer who spends a lot of time with this dog or knows him well? (If so, this is the person you should ask to speak with!)
Do you know if this dog has lived in a home before? (If yes, and the dog was an “owner surrender,” ask if you can see the notes from the surrendering owner – many times you’ll learn helpful tidbits such as if the dog has lived with children, other dogs, etc. Or, if the dog has been in a foster home before, ask if you can speak with the foster parent and ask some of the questions outlined below.)
What has the dog’s typical routine been in the shelter?
What does the dog’s energy level seem to be? (High (craves exercise like running and long walks as much as possible), Medium (likes a good romp or walk but then settles down in the kennel), or Low (prefers to sleep and sniff/meander) – again, keep in mind this could change outside the kennel environment!)
Does the dog soil his kennel, or go potty as soon as he is taken outside? (This is sometimes an indicator of being housebroken, but not always.)
Has the dog been on any outings (i.e. hikes, sleepovers, trips to busy adoption events, etc)? If so, what were the events like and how did the dog act at those events?
Has the dog ever growled, lunged or barked at a person? If so can you describe that situation (where, who, etc.)?
Has the dog ever growled, lunged or barked at another dog? If so can you describe that situation)?
What kind of food has the dog been eating at the shelter (brand, kibble, wet, other)?
Is the dog a good eater, or picky?
Has the dog participated in any play dates or pack walks with other dogs? If so, what has his behavior been like? (You can also ask to observe a pack walk or play date if you’d like, and if you already have a dog make sure to bring him to meet his potential new sibling!)
Has the dog met a cat before? If so, what was his behavior like? (You can also ask to observe a “cat test”
Has the dog interacted with children? If so, what was the situation (i.e. on a leash or off, how old was the child, etc. – ask for specifics!) and how did he act in that situation?
Can I take the dog for a little walk? (Some organizations will let you do this, especially if accompanied by a staff member or volunteer. It’s a good way to interact with the dog and to see how much leash training he is going to need.)
Does the dog have any known medical issues, and have they been treated?
Will the dog be spayed/neutered/microchipped/vaccinated before adoption? (You will want to ask for full and complete vet records upon adoption.)
Will the dog come with an intro health insurance policy? (This is not uncommon at well-funded organizations)
How has the dog’s behavior been when examined and handled by the medical staff (i.e. accepts all handling, runs away, growls, etc.)?
Does the dog show different behaviors when left alone in his kennel versus when someone is in the room? (This can sometimes be an indicator of separation anxiety, but not always!)
Does the dog know any training commands/cues? (If so, ask to see the dog in action!)
3 Things to Know Before Becoming a Foster Pet Parent
