How to adopt dogs in the Philippines

Dogs are called man’s best friend for good reason. They are loyal, caring, and sincere creatures. In Chinese culture, adopting a stray dog is considered a sign of good luck because along with the dog comes good fortune. According to Feng Shui experts, inviting a dog in will bring bright, cheerful, and positive energy to your household.

This year of the Dog, attract all the good energy by adopting a dog. Not only will it bring you good fortune, but it will gain you a new furry best friend. So, let’s get adopting and give our friends a new loving home! Here’s how to adopt a dog:

Shelters

There are plenty of other sites that can help you or show you how you can adopt a dog but the ones below are readily available to be contacted via email, Facebook or mobile, and are definitely active.

PAWS or the Philippine Animal Welfare Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating animals to give them another shot in life and finding a new home.

Help Save The Pit Bulls is a group based in Laguna that started in March 2012 and ever since that day they’ve saved a lot of pit bulls from dog fighting operations.

Application form

Filling out application forms is the first step of adopting a dog. Some shelter such as PAWS and Save The Laguna Pit Bulls have online application forms uploaded on their websites. Other shelters provide the form on site.  To ensure that a shelter is accepting adoption requests, it’s best to check the shelter’s website or drop them a message on Facebook first.

Also, you can check if they have a picture gallery of dogs available for adoption. This will give you an idea of what kind of dog is best fit for you.  Factors you might consider are: size, breed, time commitment, budget, and your other pets’ behaviour and wellbeing.

Take note that not all dog breeds go well together. Dog caretakers discourage getting two alpha dogs because it might spark a dominance competition. Dogs are natural predators so make sure that the dog you’ll adopt will get along with your other pets.

Initial Screening

Once the paperwork is ready, it’s time to visit and meet your furry friend! We know initial screenings can be a bit scary but don’t worry shelters just want to make sure that you and the dog you’ve chosen are a furfect fit for each other.

This first doggy encounter is a crucial step to make sure that you and the dog are compatible.  The process of choosing a dog might take a while, but rest assured that you’ll find the one. When meeting the dog, keep in mind that some of them are victims of abuse so take your time and be patient during the first meeting.

Home Screening

After the meet and greet, a shelter volunteer will schedule a home visit to check if you meet your future dog’s housing needs. The general rule of thumb for housing depends on the dog’s size. The bigger the dog, the bigger the space should be.

Family members will also be interviewed to make sure that everyone is a-okay with the adoption. Shelters want to make sure that you’ll be able to provide a healthy environment for your new family member.

Bonding with the dog

 In order to establish a strong connection with the dog, you will be asked to visit the shelter for 2-3 more times. This is the last measure to guarantee compatibility. Again, take it slowly to avoid stressing the dog. Establish trust and start with little things such as giving treats and walking around the neighborhood.

Secure the contract/ fee (if there is)

Almost there! Before you can take home your new buddy, settle the adoption fee first. There are shelters who offer free adoption but donations are always welcome. After that’s done, the last thing to do is contract signing and you’re good to go. In addition to the contract, the shelter might give you a list of doggy things you need to buy such as food, food bowls, leash and collar, and other essentials.

Home sweet home

Congratulations, you did it! You’ve adopted a dog! Say hello to a friend who’ll stick by your side no matter what. The process might be long (about a week or so) but we’re sure it’s worth it.

Now your dog will need to settle, make sure to give your friend a tour of his/her new home and spend time together to make sure that he/she will be able to adjust well.

Be kind to all creatures and give animal shelters a chance. It’s considered lucky, it’s economical, and most importantly there’s a sense of fulfillment that comes when you save a life. Adopt and be someone’s life saver today! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

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