Your Pre-Adoption Checklist

Because adopting a new pet comes with a lot of change for both pet and pet parent, we have compiled a checklist and information list to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Things to Consider

  • How do the people you live with feel about having a pet in the house?
  • Do you have any other pets, and how will they react to a new pet?
  • How will your social life or work obligations affect your ability to care for a pet?
  • Do you have a plan for your new pet during vacations and/or work travel?
  • Are you (or your spouse, partner, or roommate) intolerant of hair, dirt, and other realities of sharing your home with a pet, such as allergies?
  • Do you or any of your household/family members have health issues that may be affected by a pet?
  • What breed, or species, of animal is the best fit with your current lifestyle?
  • Is your current residence suited for the adult size of the pet you are considering?
  • Is there an adult in the family who has agreed to be ultimately responsible for the pets’ care?
  • What do you expect your pet to contribute to your life? For example, do you want a running and hiking buddy, or is your idea of exercise watching it on TV?
  • If you are thinking of adopting a young animal, do you have the time and patience to work with the pet through its adolescence, taking housebreaking, chewing, and energy level into account?
  • Have you considered your lifestyle carefully and determined whether a younger or older animal would be a better match for you?
  • Do you want a pet who follows you all around the house, or would you prefer a less clingy, more independent character?

Size Considerations

  • Is your current residence suited for the adult size of the pet you are considering?
  • Is the pet you are considering a suitable size for everyone in your family?
  • Some dogs are too small and delicate for a busy family with active children.
  • Do you have existing pets that are not well suited for a tiny or more delicate dog?
  • Is the pet you are considering able to be taken inside the cabin of a plane for travel?
  • Is the pet you are considering a size that is able to keep up on walks, hikes or activities you and your family participate in?

Pet Costs

Puppy Protections’ adoption fees include spaying or neutering, vaccinations (including rabies and Bordetella), microchipping, deworming, and any necessary medical care required for each animal. It also includes a professional training evaluation and assessment, foundational training such as crate training, leash skills, recall training and basic commands such as “quiet” Additionally it includes socialization with other dogs of all sizes as well as professional grooming.

  • Quality Food
  • Routine veterinary care.
  • Flea, Tick & Heartworm Preventative.
  • Licensing according to local regulations.
  • Collars, leashes, and identification tags.
  • Crate, bed, and blanket.
  • Toys, bones, chews, and biscuits.
  • Basic grooming equipment and supplies or professional grooming (depending on your new pets’ needs).
  • Pet cleaning supplies.
  • Permanent identification, such as a microchip or tattoo.
  • Training classes

Time Considerations

  • A responsible pet parent should spend a minimum of two hours per day giving direct attention to his or her pet. This may include training, exercising, grooming, and playing, or it may just be lap time on the couch. Dogs need to be taken out to potty a minimum of four times a day.
  • A pet with an abundance of energy needs more time to exercise and interactive toys to keep them entertained.
  • Pets with long coats need 20 minutes a day of grooming to prevent matting.
  • How will your social life or work obligations affect your ability to care for a pet?
  • Adult dogs need to be fed two times a day, and puppies three more times a day.

Remember that adopted pets may need additional bonding and reassurance time in the early weeks.

Shopping Checklist

Food. Wet or Canned food is never a good idea unless you pet is, a) elderly and refusing to eat anything else or b) if your pet has no teeth. Wet or Canned food can cause gastrointestinal problems and will significantly increase the amount of tartar on your dogs’ teeth. The absolute best diet for any canine is raw, however most Americans busy lifestyle constraints wont allow for this form of feeding. We suggest a high quality dry kibble. They abrasion from chewing a dry kibble aids in keeping teeth and gums healthy.

Additionally, we advise never feeding a “grain free” kibble since the FDA discovered that it causes cardiac issues and death in dogs. Here are some foods that we recommend:

  • 4 Health
  • Go Solutions (grain inclusive)
  • Ziwi Peak
  • Halo
  • Canine Caviar
  • Addiction
  • Nature’s Logic
  • Lotus Dog Food
  • Brothers
  • Redford
  • PetKind
  • Weruva
  • By Nature

Bowls. We always recommend that your dog or puppy eats and drinks so their head is level withh their back. There are many elevated feeders on the market and if you dog or puppy eats in their crate we LOVE “Snappy Fit” bowls. They can be found on Amazon and we use them here at Puppy Protection. Eating and drinking with their head level with their Bach not only aids in digestion but and prevent “Bloat” which can be deadly.

Collar or Harness. When you adopt from Puppy Protection we always provide a size and breed appropriate collar. However you may choose to change that collar at a latter time. We suggest if you choose a harness, that they be fitted well and small dog in particular tend to pull their legs up through the holes and and get out. For larger breedes we never suggest harnesses as the encourage pulling.

Leash. We love a 5-6’ leash. If you choose a retrectable leash please be aware of the dangers. If you drop the handset, it will go careening towards your pet. This has been known to injure small dogs. There is also the risk of entanglement which again, can cause injury to you and or your pet.

ID Tag. If you choose to get your pet an ID Tag, we recommend never putting your pets name on it. Only put the word “REWARD” with your phone number. You are much more likely to get your pet back if someone thinks they will get something for it and putting your pets name on the tag allows a stranger to bond and interact with your pet, making it less likely to be returned.

Crate, Baby Gate or Pen. We love the Mid West Fold and Carry Crates (specifically the Double Door version). Youe may choose to gate off an area of your home such as a kitcten. There are many types of pressure gates on the market for this. We fully endorse Best Pet Pens.

Dog Bed, Crate Matress or Blanket

Puppy Shampoo, Brushes, Grooming Tools and Nail Clippers We do not recommend the guillotine style nail clippers or human nail clippers. These tend to split and crack the nail and injure the quick. Instead look for a scissor type or a pet grinder.

Pet Cleaner, Waste Pickup Bags and Piddle Pads Through much experience we love the Woolite line of pet cleaners, never the “Natures Miracle” brand. We also endorse Dogipot Litter Bags and the Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Pee Pads.

Treats and Chews. We encourage you to be thoughtful with your selection of these products. Don’t fall for gimmicky packaging and buzz words. Your selection of these will directly affect your dogs’ health. We recommend:

Chews:

  • Sams Yams and Bichon Fries
  • Wholesomes Pride Sweet Potato Fries and Bites
  • Bernie’s Chompers
  • Himalayan Pet Supply Dog Chews
  • Butcher Block: knee cap (for the littles) and knuckle bones for the rest.
  • Water Buffalo Horns

Naturally Shed Antlers (deer-for soft chewers, elk-for average chewers and moose for heavy chewers)

Treats:

  • Bocce’s Bakery (crunchy and soft n chewy)
  • Wholesome Pride Banana Chips (or make them yourself)
  • Trader Joe’s Salmon Skin
  • Any high quality limited ingredient treat made in the USA