Before Adoption

Please Think Before You Leap

Adopting a pet is a BIG decision. Animals require a lot of time, money, and commitment-over 15 years worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.

Our goal is to place our animals in FOREVER homes. As sad as our Final Victory family is to say goodbye to them, we do not want to see them back; we want to see them enjoying life with their new families.

Before You Adopt...

Before you make that decision to bring a pet into your life, take time to think over these questions:

Do you have time for a pet? Pets require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them. Please also consider that it may take your rescue pet some time to decompress once home. See our resources under the "Help For You" tab for more detailed information.

Can you afford a pet? There are financial costs to adopting a pet beyond your initial adoption fee. Please ensure you are financially prepared for the recurring costs like veterinary care + vaccine maintenance, training, food, and flea/tick/heartworm medication.Taking the time to look at your budget to see if you can afford to properly care for an animal is vital before adoption.

Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don't allow pets or have breed or size restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home. Check your rental contract or contact your landlord to confirm before applying, if you are unsure.

Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you're a student, in the military, preparing for a move, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down may be a better choice for you and the animal coming into your life.

Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to consider. Some animals are very active and require a great deal of exercise to be calm. Some dogs bark at any noise or struggle with separation anxiety. Other dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, please reflect on your lifestyle, research breeds, consider your living arrangements, read dog's bios, and ask questions before committing.

Do you know who will care for your pet while you're traveling? Make a plan in advance for reliable friends and neighbors to dog sit, select a reputable boarding kennel, or find a pet-sitting service. Many people and places are booked during summer months and during holiday seasons, so it's wise to have a back up plan.

Will you be a responsible pet owner? Obeying you community's leash and licensing laws, keeping identification tags on your pets, updating microchip information when you move, and preparing your family and home to be safe are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials. Keeping up with your dog's flea/tick and heartworm preventatives is imperative.

Have you made preparations to bring a pet home? Preparing an environment is important to help animals make a smooth transition from temporary care to forever homes. Have you discussed bringing home a pet and proper care with your children? Other preparations such as purchasing beds, fences, leashes, food, toys and choosing a veterinarian can be made before adoption to prepare for your new pet.

Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime. Consider how your family and living situation may evolve over the years. As grim as it sounds, it's also important to decide who will care for your pet if they outlive you. We have taken in many homeless pets after their owners have passed away because plans were not made for the care of their pet.

Get An animal For Life

A quick stroll through an animal shelter will help you understand why answering the questions above before you adopt is so important.

Many of South Carolina's homeless pets are puppies and kittens from unaltered pets or unclaimed strays rescued from the streets. But there are at least as many animals at the shelter who are more than a year old-animals who were obtained by people who didn't think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got the animal.

Please, don't make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love-for the life of the pet.

If you're ready to adopt a companion for life, please fill out an Adoption Application.

Ready to Adopt?

Apply to adopt a dog

Apply to adopt a Cat