Research needed before committing to animal adoption OCTOBER IS ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH

By Tony Bennett

Junior is one of the dogs available at Northern Lakes Rescue, which uses a foster-to-adopt method, meaning people can take their time getting to know the animal they’ve taken time to select. “It allows an adopter to be able to bring that (pet) into their home and make sure they are ready to commit,” said Shannon Steele, operations manager.

If you’re thinking about adopting an animal and maybe don’t have a ton of experience with the process of adoption, it’s wise to talk to professionals who can walk you through the process and help you to make decisions that set you up for success.

There are a few different regional agencies that can help with this, so that you feel supported and able to be the best pet owner you can be, both for you and your new animal friend.

Shannon Steele is the operations manager of Northern Lakes Rescue, and she pointed out that her organization is one that focuses on the act of fostering an animal, something that ensures the match between pet and owner is a good one before the official adoption takes place.

“We're a foster-based rescue,” Steele said. “We’re not a shelter. People can’t just come to a certain location and look at all the dogs. Our process starts with (a potential pet adopter) seeing our dogs on either Petfinder or Facebook.”

Once interest in an animal has taken root, Steele said certain questions should be considered.

“Are you truly ready?” she said. “This is a lifelong commitment. We have an initial phone conversation, making sure that this is what they’re looking for. Is it the right match? Before they even meet the dog, we’re already contacting them.”

Northern Lakes saves animals locally from shelters and owner-surrenders and also has a transport that comes from Texas on a regular basis. Steele said this means the perfect pet for a particular home might not currently be available, but it might be very soon.

“It’s a great way to be able to find that right pet,” Steele said.

The Northern Lakes foster-to-adopt method also means people can take their time getting to know the animal they’ve taken time to select.

“It allows an adopter to be able to bring that (pet) into their home and make sure they are ready to commit,” Steele said, adding that Northern Lakes assists by providing supplies during the fostering process.

Emily Spurgeon is the program manager for Animal Allies in Duluth, who facilitates up to 1,500 or so adoptions a year. She also feels that petadoption isn’t just a one-step process.

“We always applaud people who do a little bit of research,” she said. “Do you want a longhaired cat or a short-haired cat? Do you know if you’d prefer a kitten or an older cat? On the dog side, do you have a specific breed in mind, or specific personality types that you like? Do you want a laidback dog, or a really highenergy runner?”

Animal Allies has adoption counselors who can help people decide what kind of animal might be a good fit, Spurgeon said.

“We try to counsel and not decide for people, because, obviously, we don’t live with them, and we don’t know what’s going to work in their house. But we do like to advocate for what we think is best for the pet. We always kind of try to talk about it from the pet’s perspective.”

Once an adoption happens, the real work begins.

“Everybody in the household has an adjustment period,” Spurgeon said. “It’s kind of like bringing home a new baby. It changes your life for the rest of your life, truly. We have a lot of great resources that we give adopters on how to introduce them to new family members and other pets in the home.”

Lareasha Conners, shelter director at Humane Society of Douglas County in Superior, said her job “fills my heart.” She’s had animals her whole life, and she concurred that being prepared when adopting is paramount.

“This is a life we’re talking about,” Connors said. “Be prepared for a life commitment. This isn’t a trial-and-error. Really study and find out exactly what you want — if that animal is going to fit your lifestyle. Maybe you think you’re a dog person, but really, you might be a cat person.”

Connors, too, said education is important, and the Humane Society can provide materials to assist in this.

“We have pamphlets and informational guidelines we can send home with them,” she noted. “We also have resources for dog training and that sort of thing. We can guide them. It’s just gonna make everybody happier, all around.”

At the end of the day, it's about just that — adding a bit of happiness to a life. Connors recalled one good example of this.

“We had a cat that was here for a long time — our shelter usually has a very quick turnaround,” she said. “He kept being overlooked because he had a medical condition and a very dog-like personality. But this person that adopted him ended up being the most perfect fit, and he is living his best life. We have quite a few of those stories that are just very heartwarming.”

Pet adoption is all about time, consideration, and care, and local shelters and adoption agencies are ready to help. D