Pet Adoption FAQs: Everything You Need to Know Before and After Adopting

Q: What questions should I ask when adopting a dog from an animal shelter or rescue?

Adopting a pooch is a big step, so it’s important to be prepared. When adopting a dog from an animal shelter or rescue, you’ll want to ask about the dog's health history and vaccination records, known behavioral issues, energy level, and house-training status. Find out why they were surrendered, how they are with kids, other dogs or cats, and whether they have any special dietary needs. Also ask about personality and behavior in different environments and what a trial or foster period looks like before finalizing the relationship. For more tips on adopting a dog, visit our dog adoption checklist.

Q: What questions should I ask when adopting a cat from an animal shelter or rescue?

Considering a new feline friend requires some preparation. When adopting a cat from an animal shelter or rescue, you’ll want to ask about the cat’s health history and vaccination records, behavioral issues, and litter box habits. You’ll want to know whether they are declawed, how they get along with other cats and children, and whether they are an indoor or outdoor cat. Also ask about what a trial or foster period looks like before bringing them home. For more tips on adopting a cat, visit our cat adoption checklist.

Q: What questions should I ask when adopting a puppy from an animal shelter or rescue?

Preparing a list of questions for the shelter or rescue can help give a full picture. When adopting a puppy from an animal shelter or rescue, ask about puppy vaccination schedules, deworming, estimated age and/or birthdate, breed mix, expected adult size, and any known health issues. Ask if the puppy has been socialized yet or when they could be socialized, how and when to house-train the puppy, and when to consult a vet about spaying or neutering the dog. You can also confirm what food the puppy is eating and any required follow-ups, such as a vet or home visit. For more tips on adopting a puppy, visit our adoption checklist.

Q: What is the process for adopting a dog from an animal shelter or rescue?

Prospective pet parents will want to know the process for adopting a dog from an animal shelter or rescue to ensure nothing slips through the cracks. The process includes a first step of assessing your home’s readiness for a pet and examining your family dynamics and lifestyle. Once you’ve decided on adopting a new four-legged friend, you’ll go through the shelter’s vetting process and ask questions about adoption policies, medical history, and more. Then, you’ll prepare your home by dog-proofing it, buying essentials, and having a clear plan for feeding, walks, bathroom breaks, safe outdoor spaces, and what to expect during the dog’s adjustment period.

Q: What is the process for adopting a cat from an animal shelter or rescue?

Before bringing home a new pur-fect pet, it’s important to know the process for adopting a cat from an animal shelter or rescue. You’ll need to evaluate your home, family dynamics, and lifestyle. Then you’ll go through the shelter’s vetting process and ask questions about its policies, the cat’s medical history, and more. Next up will be cat-proofing your home, buying essentials, and having a plan for feeding, enrichment, litter boxes, and what to expect during the cat’s adjustment period.

Q: How long does the dog adoption process take from start to finish?

The timeline for how long a dog adoption process takes from start to finish depends on many factors. If you are going to see a dog in person at a shelter, you could come home with a new family member that day. Petfinder is a community of animal rescues and shelters, and each one operates differently. It could take anywhere from a few days to complete all the necessary checks and paperwork, or up to a few weeks, especially if you need to schedule a home visit as part of the rescue’s process.

Q: How long does the cat adoption process take from start to finish?

The timeline for how long a cat adoption process takes from start to finish depends. If you walk into a shelter with all the necessary paperwork, you could take a feline friend home that day. Petfinder is a community of animal rescues and shelters, and each one has its own rules and timelines to follow. Generally, though, adopting a cat could take a few days to complete the process, or up to a few weeks, depending on the shelter’s staff, workload, communication style, and required checks.

Q: How long do pet adoption applications take to be approved?

How long pet adoption applications take depends on each shelter. Petfinder is a community of shelters and rescues, and each one operates differently. You can click through to each profile on Petfinder and see if there are any notes on the shelter’s page about how long it takes to process an application or if they have any backlogs. Remember that rescues are doing the hard work, and they are often short-staffed. As much as you want your new friend to be officially yours, be patient with them.

Q: How do I fill out a pet adoption application?

Petfinder is a community of animal lovers matchmaking pets with new owners. Each shelter or animal rescue on Petfinder will have a set of instructions to follow to fill out a pet adoption application. They will ask you general questions about yourself, as well as questions about lifestyle and living arrangements, your experience with animals, any current pets, and more, to ensure your home is a good match for the dog.

Q: How should I prepare for a dog adoption interview?

Besides having all the necessary paperwork filled out, required fees, and any other materials the shelter has asked for, you can prepare for a dog adoption interview by thinking about answers to key questions. Think about your home setup, work schedule, lifestyle, other pets, kids, and experience with dogs. Be honest about your lifestyle rather than telling them what you think they want to hear, as mismatches will bubble up quickly once you bring the dog home. Be sure to have a list of questions to ask the shelter as well, such as the dog’s medical history, how they came to the shelter, and any behavioral issues.

Updated: 9/24/2026

4-8 min read

Person holding a gray tabby cat inside an animal shelter.

Questions to Ask When Adopting a Pet

What questions should I ask when adopting a dog from an animal shelter or rescue?

What questions should I ask when adopting a cat from an animal shelter or rescue?

What questions should I ask when adopting a puppy from an animal shelter or rescue?

The Pet Adoption Process 

What is the process for adopting a dog from an animal shelter or rescue?

What is the process for adopting a cat from an animal shelter or rescue?

How long does the dog adoption process take from start to finish?

How long does the cat adoption process take from start to finish?

How long do pet adoption applications take to be approved?

How do I fill out a pet adoption application?

How should I prepare for a dog adoption interview?

Why is it sometimes hard to adopt a dog?

Why is it sometimes hard to adopt a cat?

For more information about how to search for pets, save favorites, and check availability, head to our Petfinder FAQ page.

Requirements, Documents, and Eligibility

What are the general requirements to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or rescue?

What documents and identification do I need to adopt a pet?

What is a home check or home visit for pet adoption?

How old do you have to be to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or rescue?

Can a minor adopt a cat from an animal shelter or rescue, or do you have to be 18?

Can I adopt a dog out of state or from another state?

Adoption Costs, Fees, and the Difference Between Adopting and Buying

What is the difference between adopting a pet from an animal shelter and buying a pet?

What is the difference between fostering and adopting a dog?

Is it free to adopt a dog or puppy from an animal shelter or rescue?

How much does it cost to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or rescue?

How much does it cost to adopt a puppy from an animal shelter or rescue?

Is it free to adopt a cat or kitten from an animal shelter or rescue?

How much does it cost to adopt a kitten from an animal shelter or rescue?

Age, Availability, and Special Situations

At what age can puppies be adopted?

At what age can a kitten be adopted?

Can I adopt a single kitten, or should I adopt two?

Communicating with Shelters and Rescues

How long will it take to hear back from the adoption group?

Why isn't the adoption group calling me back?

Why wasn't I selected to adopt?

How can I tell if a rescue group is real or a scam?

How do I make a complaint about a shelter or rescue group?

What to Expect After Adopting

What should I expect when adopting a rescue dog, and how long does adjustment take?

Why is my newly adopted dog not eating, and is this normal?

Can you change a dog's name after adopting them?

What should I expect when adopting a cat, and how long does adjustment take?

Why does my newly adopted cat or kitten meow so much?

Is it normal for a newly adopted cat not to eat?

Is it normal for an adopted cat to hide, and how long does it last?

Should I give my newly adopted cat a bath?

How long should I keep a newly adopted cat in one room?

Ready to find your perfect match? Search adoptable pets near you on Petfinder.

Pet Adoption FAQs: Everything You Need to Know Before and After Adopting

Questions to Ask When Adopting a Pet

The Pet Adoption Process

Requirements, Documents, and Eligibility

Adoption Costs, Fees, and the Difference Between Adopting and Buying

Age, Availability, and Special Situations

Communicating with Shelters and Rescues

What to Expect After Adopting

Your New Pet’s First Month: The 3-3-3 Rule and Beyond

Bringing Home a New Pet: How to Prepare by Life Stage

How to Introduce Dogs and Cats in 5 Easy Steps

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