I have a GSD and a Lab mix. I also have a cat.
What does it take to adopt a pet?
Depending on who you are attempting to adopt from. Usually the adoption process consists of filling out an application, the application asks for certain information such as "do you live in a house or apartment" "do you rent or own?" "Do you currently own any pets?"
(They also ask about pets you've owned in the past and what happened to them ) along with your general personal information. References are also required.
A good many, though not all, prefer not to adopt to anyone that lives in an apartment or rents. If they do, they have to get permission from the owner/manager before fully accepting the application.
The reason they often do not like to adopt to people who live in apartments is the fact that there is usually a 6ft full ( as in all the way around ) fence requirement.
There is also usually a home check to be sure that you are who you say you are and your current living environment is acceptable and safe for a pet to live in. Home checks are quite thorough too.
If you are are found a good candidate for adoption they ask you what you are looking for in your pet ( ie: couch potatoe, jogging companion, agility candidate etc ) and try to find your best possible match.
If you were someone like me, and have obedience titles in mind, they wouldn't match you up with a stubborn with a bad case of selective hearing dog *glares at Lab mix*. But rather a dog that lives to please its master *smiles at GSD*.
For those looking to adopt, I'd suggest checking out your local craigslist page. There are plenty of low-cost/free puppies & dogs there, without having to deal with all the formal adoption paperwork & fees.
This is VERY bad advice. First of all there is
no such thing as a low-cost/ free dog.
Not when you take into consideration the money that would need to be spent for spay/neuter, vaccinations, if the pup/dog is in poor health etc. Most ( the rescues I've worked with do ) rescue organizations and shelters have the vaccinations and the spay / neuter taken care of ( The only exception to this is if its a puppy that's too young for all its needed vaccinations and to be spay/neutered, but I can assure they will make sure it gets done), make sure its in good health, and evaluate the puppy/dogs temperament before adopting it out.
Most of those low cost/free puppy adds are from either puppy mills/backyard breeders who could care less about the health and temperament of said puppies, or some idiot who wanted to show their kids the miracle of birth.
Generally, if someone who is giving up a pet truly care about said pet they will charge an adoption fee, and require an application to be filled out ( this is including individuals not just rescues ) to deter would be idiots.