The two primary types of adoption facilities for dogs are animal shelters and breed-specific rescue groups.
Animal shelters and humane society's take in most types of pets (dogs, cats, reptiles etc.) and are usually government operated and funded or non-profit organizations. Their major purpose is to offer a temporary place for the animal to stay until a loving family is found. Some of these organizations are designated as “no-kill,” which means that the animals will live at the shelter until adopted, and are not euthanized. In general, an animal shelter will have large selections of mixed and purebred animals of all ages.
A “dog rescue group” is an individual or group of people with a breed-specific focus on placing unwanted dogs in new, loving homes. These organizations work diligently to find temporary foster homes for these pets until permanent homes can be found. They typically rely on volunteers for assistance in all phases of the rescue process. Each rescue group will have its own standards of care and adoption criteria.
Choosing a pet from any organization which helps animals find a new “forever home” is commendable. However, each organization, even those with seemingly interchangeable names, is not identical. Careful investigation into the facility from which you choose to adopt your pet is of the highest importance, and should be your first step towards pet ownership.
