Adoption Resources
Adopting a pet can mean a big life change for even the most experienced pet owner. Fortunately there are many free resources available online to help with quick questions and to get you on your way. We’ve included some links that our volunteers have found useful and interesting.
Note that none of these should be a substitute for professional veterinary advice – or your own sound judgment about your own animal family members.
For Potential Adopters
- Adoption Checklist
- Am I Ready to Adopt?
- What are the costs of caring for a pet?
- Is a Dog Right for Me?
- Pet-Friendly Apartment Finder
- Dog Food Reviews
- Assisted Living for Seniors with Pets
For Approved Adopters
The following documents are important to the adoption process, both for the meet and greet and bringing your new dog home. Please review the documents in each link and talk to your adoption coordinator or foster if you have any questions.
Adoption Documents for Adult Dogs
- Adoption Agreement - Will be emailed to you
- Adult Adoption Packet
- Adult Dog Rescue Letter
- OPH Training Partners
- Pet Insurance
- Microchip Registration
Adoption Documents for Puppies
- Adoption Agreement - Will be emailed to you
- Puppy Adoption Packet
- Puppy Rescue Letter
- New Puppy Information
- Spay/Neuter Agreement
- Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinics
- OPH Training Partners
- Pet Insurance
- Microchip Registration
- My New Puppy: The First 36 Hours - Ep1
- My New Puppy: The First Day Home - Ep2
- The First Things I’m Teaching My New Puppy - Ep3
- My Puppy’s First Days of Training - Ep4
Cat Resources
- OPH Cat Adoption Packet
- Before You Adopt - Cat Adoption Checklist
- Tips for New Cat Owners
- Cat Body Language
- Children and Cats
- Declawing - don't do it!
- Why It's Important to Keep Cats Indoors
- What are the costs of caring for a pet?
- Cat Food Reviews
- Pet Insurance
- Microchip Registration
- Introducing Dogs to Cats
Additional Dog Resources
Tips
- Staged Introductions for Your New Dog
- 5 Common Mistakes Made by New Adopters
- Adopting a Rescue Dog: The First Seven Days
- House and Crate Training
- What to Buy Ahead of Time
- Introducing Dogs to Cats
- Introducing Your Cat to a New Dog
- How to Introduce a Dog to a Cat
- Finding Lost and Missing Pets
- Is Your Dog Friendly?
- The Difference between a Dog Trainer and a Behavior Consultant
- Pet Safety in the Home
Week 1 After Adoption
- Adopting a Rescue Dog: The First Seven Days
- Five Things to Focus on with Your Newly Adopted Dog
- Your Dogs First Day Home
Health
- Why to Spay/Neuter Your Pets
- Toxic Plants that are Poisonous to Dogs
- Foods that are Poisonous to Pets
- Updated Pet Food Recall List
- Holistic alternatives for common dog health problems
Children and Dogs
- Teach Your Kids to Be Good Pet Parents
- Pets Are Good For Children and Development
- Coloring Book about Kids and Dogs
Books
Dog Rescue Books
- The Little Blue Dog Series - by Karen J. Roberts
- Shelter Dogs - Traer Scott
- The Possibility Dogs: What a Handful of "Unadoptables" Taught Me About Service, Hope and Healing - Susannah Charleson
Children's Books about Dogs and Pets
- Rescued By Love: A Story About Dog Adoption - by Lindsay Jouet
- Puppy Training for Kids - by Sarah Whitehead
- Be a Dog’s Best Friend - by Renee Payne
- May I Pet Your Dog - by Stephanie Calmenson
- Tails Are Not for Pulling - by Elizabeth Verdick
Dog Training and Behavior Books
- How to be the Leader of the Pack - Patricia McConnell
- I'll Be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety - Patricia McConnell
- Way to Go! How to Housetrain a Dog of Any Age - Patricia McConnell
- The Cautious Canine - How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears - Patricia McConnell
- The Culture Clash - Jean Donaldson
- Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog - Brenda Aloff