Adopting a companion animal is an incredibly rewarding experience, but not a decision that should be made lightly. If you’re thinking of bringing a pet into your life, understanding the key responsibilities required of you is a great way to acquaint yourself with the adoption process and find answers to common questions.
The first step is acknowledging the level of commitment that will be required from you. Once you have decided you have the time and resources to care for a pet, it's time to start considering what kind of companion animal you want, keeping in mind factors such as species, type, age or health status. After you've narrowed your options, you can begin collecting all the essentials you'll need to set up your pet-safe home, such as purchasing bedding or securing your yard.
The search for your perfect companion animal can then begin! Searching online can help you view all the available options before you book an appointment to visit the shelter and meet your potential new family member. Once you've decided on your new family member, the adoption process will typically involve filling out application forms and being interviewed so shelter staff can get to know you better and determine if your home and lifestyle are well-suited to your chosen pet.
When this step is done, it's time to start considering pet insurance options to help ensure you can seek veterinary care when needed without being limited by finances, so your new companion animal stays happy and healthy in their new home.
Check out our downloadable checklist for a more detailed breakdown of each stage in the process to guide your next adoption journey!
Download the How to adopt a pet from the RSPCA [Checklist]
Dr Rosemary Elliot
Dr Rosemary studied veterinary science at the University of Sydney after having established her career as a clinical psychologist, and has qualifications of BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Animal Welfare), MPsych (Clin), BA (Hons) as well as previously establishing her career as a clinical psychologist. Her experiences during veterinary training fostered an ambition to focus directly on animal welfare and ethics, with a particular interest in animal sentience and the human-animal bond. Currently working in small animal practice, Dr Rosemary combines her psychology background and veterinary skills to contribute to and promote animal welfare, and regularly contributes quality content to RSPCA Pet Insurance's Pet Care blog.
21 Mar 2022