Adopting a dog is a beautiful thing. You’re providing a home to a dog who needs one. That said, if you plan on adopting a dog, you may be curious about how long the adoption process takes, especially because it’s more intensive than buying a dog from a breeder.
So, how long does it take to adopt a dog? Read on to learn more about the process and what it takes.
How Long Does It Take to Adopt a Dog?
On average, it takes around three to five days to adopt a dog. That said, some shelters may allow you to take a dog home the same day, whereas others may make you wait until they do a proper home visit, which comes down to when someone is available.
Therefore, it varies a lot based on the shelter, your home, and even whether or not your references answer a shelter’s call. Also, if there are any issues with your application, this can also cause the process to take more time, so make sure you show up to the shelter, rescue, or foster prepared.
Factors that Influence How Long It Takes to Adopt a Dog
There are a handful of factors that impact how long it takes to adopt a dog. To help you better understand why some adoption processes may take longer than others, we will take you through these factors below.
1. The Specific Shelter, Rescue, or Foster Program
Every shelter, foster, and rescue program is different. You’ll find that some shelters may have unique quirks, for example, that lengthen the process. For example, some shelters will require a background check, reference check, and even a home visit. What’s more, some shelters will go beyond this and require every family member to interact with a dog before approving the adoption.
On the other hand, some adoption organizations might not require any of this, so the process will be faster.
2. The Application Process
The application process is one of the biggest factors that influence how long it takes to adopt a dog from a shelter, foster, or rescue. Every organization has a unique process, but you may have an easier time if shelters don’t run background checks, contact references, or do home visits.
Some programs may allow for same-day adoption with a pre-approved application. If you want to adopt a dog fast, you’ll want to work with adoption organizations that offer these advantages.
3. Familiarity with the Shelter, Rescue, or Foster
If you’ve never worked with a shelter or rescue before, the process may take longer than if you work with one you’re familiar with or have worked with in the past. For this reason, choosing the right shelter, rescue, or foster program is helpful when it’s time to adopt a dog because it can speed up the process immensely by streamlining the application process.
On the other hand, if you aren’t familiar with a specific organization, get ready to wait longer because you’ll have to fill out the application, possibly have a home visit, and go through more extensive questioning.
4. Adoption Demand
Some shelters or rescues may have a lot of demand when it comes to adoptions. After all, who doesn’t love adopting cute little canines?
If shelters have to process a lot of applications, visit many homes, and talk to a lot of references, the adoption process will take longer. What’s more, some dogs may be more in demand than others, so using the right online adoption tools can help you find shelters that have the dog you want.
For example, if you need to adopt a long haired Chihuahua, Dog Academy offers plenty of resources to help you find one. This can prevent you from wasting months waiting for a specific breed to show up at your local shelter.
5. Euthanasia Rates
Another factor you have to consider, unfortunately, is the shelter or rescue’s euthanasia rate. If shelters or rescues have a high euthanasia rate, you may have to act fast. In fact, you may not even have time for multiple visits due to how quickly euthanasia may happen.
While it’s a sad thing to consider, shelters with higher euthanasia rates will usually let you adopt a dog faster.
How Long Does It Take to Adopt a Dog? Our Final Thoughts
So, how long does it take to adopt a dog? If you’re ready to adopt a dog and you’re not worried about any problems you may face during the process, it shouldn’t take longer than a week.
Overall, expect the process to take you around three to five days, but if there are any problems with your application, it can take more than a week.