Besides your local animal shelter, Craigslist is also a wonderful way to find a new pet! There are so many people who can no longer keep their cherished pets, for one reason or another, but want to know they truly did find them a good home, rather than taking them to a shelter and always wondering if they even made it to a new home at all!
One thing to keep in mind, no matter where you seek to find a pet, is to hold your heart open about adopting an older pet instead of having your mind set to only adopt a youngster! Older pets are already trained, many have already been spayed or neutered, most already have their vaccinations, and their owners can tell you all about their history and personality.
One more benefit is that their current parents will often give you their pet's food, dishes, toys, leashes, bed, medical records, etc. to you, which will save you a lot of money and for your new pet. It will also be a blessing to have his/her familiar items with them to help reduce the trauma of adjusting to a new home!
By Deeli from Richland, WA
Editor's Note: According to Craigslist's rules, selling pets on the site is prohibited, arranging adoptions is OK.
"Household pets of any kind including dogs, cats, primates, cage birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, fish. Re-homing with small adoption fee OK."
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am looking for a small dog to bring into our loving home. Anyone know where I could adopt one?
By Jamie from Allegany, NY
Check your local Animal Center. Be sure to take your kids and hubby! I once adopted a dog that didn't like men! So to be safe, ake the whole family and ask ALOT of questions about the dog before you take him home!
Never buy from a pet store (they usually buy from puppy mills) buy frrom a breeder or go to a shelter or the humane society. ALSO, Use care when adopting an animal & be sure to choose one that fits your energy level. That means if you like to run, bike & throw Frisbees than you may want a "high energy" dog, whereas if you are a homebody like I am & don't get out much then be sure to pick a dog with an easygoing & very mellow disposition. Don't pick a dog by how cute they are. Look for they way they act & never choose a pet just because you feel sorry for them because you may end up with more problems than you can handle! Also, look for a shelter where you can take the dog on a walk first before you decide, that way you'll have an idea if it's meant for you & your family. If not, you may end up with problems!
Do your research on different dog breeds, some dogs are know for being stubborn & some like to chase or herd things, hounds make strange noises when they get excited & some dogs (like the cavalier king Charles spaniel are bred to be very mellow). If you know the breed you want, you can sometimes find a no-kill shelter devoted especially to that type of dog, be it dachshunds or pit bulls. Lots of tiny dogs have behavior problems, but it's only because they are spoiled (like children) by the owners. Be sure to give your new dog both love & discipline! The dog won't be happy unless you fulfill their needs. Be sure to take it on walks daily. The backyard isn't enough. If you don't want to walk a dog regularly, then you shouldn't get one. Dogs get bored if they sit around (just like people do!) & start tearing the place apart, etc. Anyway, these are some important things to think about!
Also, Most vet's have bulletin boards & there's lots of people these days that have to move into places where their pets can't come. These owners can tell you lots about their dogs & it's temperament, so think about calling around to vets & asking the receptionist to read you any pets for adoption on their bulletin boards. If you get a pet from someone like this you'll also know if they are good with kids or not & the owner can tell you all about them!
We have a non-profit group in Erie county, PA ( not that far from where you live) that rescues small animals and finds homes for them. Their website is www.becauseyoucare.org They have pictures of the animals available for adoption on their website. Good Luck!
You can see a listing of animals to be adopted on petfinder.com. You put in your zip code and it tells what animals are available for adoption. It is great!
Robyn
Awww! They are really cute! How old are they? If they are young, I am sure you can. Just talk to them and use the new names as often as possible until they get used to it. I have known people to change the names of animals they have rescued without problems.
No, it shouldn't, I had one named Cleopatra, and I adopted her at 6 months and changed her name to Lupe because she was from Mexico and needed the protection of The Blessed Mother! I think cats listen more to their owner's voice, because I had a special whistle and call for her, it got so that my MIL's birds repeat it, even after she has passed on for two years!
A rose is still a rose by any other name...
I don't think it matters at all, after all nearly every cat/kitten gets its named changed. You don't think so? Consider.. a proud owner calls the new kitty a grand sounding name like my own cat Grania (an Irish name) but she now answers to Bunny, Pie, Pretty girl, Babushka, Minch, 'Well, I guess you get my drift! It's the sound of your voice they get to know, and the way you talk to them.
Gorgeous shiny kitty kats~ How cute~
I'd go with what Katieandjeffy said repeat the names often and they should get it. I always felt it
was giving all a fresh start!
If you haven't already called them lots of different names like cutesypoo and sweetie pie, it would really surprise me. One more name would hardly be any different.
It won't matter. I have three adopted cats and they all got new names. I think they learn that that's what YOU call them! It took a little bit for them to get used to (as with everything else around the house) but they all respond to their new names just fine.
JOAnn
If children can do fine with new names (we adopted two and changed their names) then I don't see why cats can't. I mean sometimes people take in an abandonned animal that probably already had a name and new owner gives a new name.
If you adopted these kitties they may not like their old names anyway because they were given up by those people.
They may have bad feelings about their former people and would enjoy a totally new start.
I would like information, on a Shih tzu dog, 5 years of age. A lady that has to move to another state is giving him to me in a week. Will this dog take to me, being that he has been with this family for 5 years? Thanks for any info.
By Darlene from Sharpsburg, GA
I came across your site via the ASPCA, while looking for information about the lost pet that I adopted. As part of the records that I received, they said that the dog had surgery at an ASPCA mobile van/truck. Since the previous owners did not want to answer any questions, I was wondering how to find out what kind of surgery the dog had and what its prior medical history was?
I am going on a missionary trip to Nicaraugra in January and I am looking for ideas for fundraising. Does anyone have any ideas?
By Calvert
I adopted 2 six year old female cats. The previous owner wants to visit them, after a week in my house. Will this unsettle them?
By Sharon
I am adopting a 5-8 yrs old Poodle mix. The owner told me that he is a good dog, but pees sometimes at night. He also bites me when I want him to do something that he doesn't like. I have never owned a dog. Is that normal?
By newdog from Orlando, FL
My kitten Brody is 6 months old now. Whenever it's time to lay on my lap, he curls up and begins to suck on his stomach, begins kneading my leg, and purring very loudly. He does the same thing at night when we go to bed, he'll lay on the pillow above my head and do the same thing except he kneads my head or the pillow.
By Terry R. from Kent, WA
