Pet guardianship should never be an impulse decision . Once you have carefully considered all aspects of becoming a pet guardian and are fully committed, there is certain paperwork you will need to complete and documents you will need to provide. Each shelter will vary to some degree, but typically this is what would be entailed:

• The shelter won’t allow just anyone to adopt a pet.
  
  
• You will be required to fill out an application. This application will ask for personal information about you, your history with pets, and living environment. If you have had pets in the past or currently have pets, they will ask for veterinary information and check the vet records. They check to see if there are any records of pet abuse in the past. Essentially, they are trying to determine if you are a good fit for the pet you are trying to adopt.
  
  
• You will be asked to provide a valid Driver’s License or State ID.
  
  
• If you live in an apartment building, you will be asked to provide proof that your building allows pets. If your building does allow pets, there is usually a restriction on the type, number and weight of the pets allowed.
  

The shelter will review the vet records of the pet with you. Before allowing pet adoption to take place, Rescue Breed Groups and shelters will make sure the pet is neutered or spayed and current on all vaccinations. If additional shots or vet visits are necessary in the future, they will notify you of this. They will review with you how often you need to bring your pet to the vet for checkups and provide you with any other pertinent information about the pet’s well-being.

Once the shelter has authorized the adoption, you will be required to pay an adoption fee. This will vary by shelter and type of animal but normally this is between $50 and $300. Once payment is made, you are the happy new guardian of your pet.