The pet adoption experience at different types of shelters can be vastly different, so take the time to visit the home page of your local groups to see which you might enjoy working with most.

Points to consider:

• Is a home visit required prior to adoption?
• What is the adoption fee?
• Are pet introductions by appointment only?
• Is the animal spayed or neutered?
• Does the animal have all the necessary vaccinations?
• What type of temperament does the animal have? Was there abuse in it’s background?
• Will the animal be around small children?
• Does the type/breed of animal that you are choosing match with your lifestyle?

Open access shelters

These organizations take in all stray animals and are usually county or city shelters.

• Animal Shelters
• Spokanimal
• Spokane County Animal Shelter

Humane societies

These are usually private facilities. Some are open access and others are limited.

• Humane Society of the United States
• Spokane Humane Society

Foster groups

These are usually volunteer foster parents who don’t have a physical location.

• ASPCA – American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• PAWS – Progressive Animal Wellnes Society
• Save the Horses – Save the Horses

Animal Breeding Organizations

There are many different breeds of animals. Here are just a few:

Dogs

• Anatolian Shepards