Choosing the Right Rescue Group

Obviously we hope you'll find your new family among the dogs and cats that the SPCA of NoVA has available, but if that isn't the case and you are widening your search area, here are some tips to help you sort through the many groups you'll find online or advertised.

There are many types of rescue groups out there. Some specialize in a particular breed; others care for a variety of animals, including cats and mixed-breed dogs. Unfortunately, there are also some groups and individuals who call themselves “rescue organizations” but who are actually brokers or traffickers. So, how can you tell a reputable group from one whose practices leave something to be desired? Here are some hints:

A reputable rescue group will

• want you to meet and spend time with the animal
• have lots of questions for you
• share their history on the animal
• have had the animal checked by a veterinarian, given vaccinations, and spayed or neutered if appropriate
• have treated the animal for any medical problems
• ask you to fill out an in-depth application
• check your references
• do a home visit (or reserve the right to do so at a future point)
• follow up after adoption to make sure everything is working out
• include a trial period—typically two weeks—before an adoption is finalized
• take the animal back at any time after the adoption is finalized—no questions asked—if it does not work out.
• provide a contact person (with phone number) for adopters to call in case of problems
• transfer all records to you when the adoption contract is finalized

A reputable rescue group will NOT

• expect you to adopt an animal sight unseen
• ask for a deposit to hold the animal for you
• want cash up front, either in the form of a deposit or an adoption fee, for an animal you have not met in person
• ask you to meet them at odd times or places (most reputable groups have their adoption events on weekend afternoons at pet stores or other public, pet-oriented venues)
• disappear after the adoption is finalized

A note about adopting from shelters:

Many of the criteria above do not apply to shelter adoptions. Though most shelters will have potential adopters fill out an application and be interviewed, they may not do home visits or follow up after adoptions.  But adopting from a shelter is a lot safer than adopting from a non-reputable rescue group. Their animals have been examined by a vet, are up-to-date on vaccinations and, in many cases, have been temperament tested.

If you would like more information on choosing a rescue group, or have any questions about pet adoption in general, please call the SPCA at (703) 799-9390 and leave a message in the appropriate dog or cat mailbox. One of our experienced adoption counselors will be pleased to help you.
 

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