Based in Boise, Idaho, Steve Verschoor has led GTSP Global as head of sales since co-founding the solar power company in 2006. When he is not overseeing sales and business development at GTSP, Steve Verschoor volunteers with a local animal shelter. He and his family recently adopted a dog from the shelter.
Individuals or families who have made the decision to adopt a dog should begin by making a list of nearby shelters and rescue operations. Adoptive parties should focus on registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. That said, each and every organization should be carefully vetted for potential abuse or unethical breeding partners. Helpful online resources for locating reputable shelters include Adopt-a-Pet and PetFinder.
Prior to heading to a shelter, the entire household should prepare for the new arrival. This not only means closing off sections of the house that may pose a threat to a dog, but also discussing the decision with every member of the house and the many responsibilities the decision entails. These discussions can be complicated if there are small children, elderly adults, or other animals already in the home. It is advisable to discuss such scenarios with a veterinarian or animal trainer.
Additional research should be conducted as individuals start meeting individual dogs at the shelter. Animals must be assessed for their specific needs, such as exercise requirements, medical care, ability to function along with dogs and other animals, and so on. Research in this area can involve general breed research, but should also involve discussions with shelter staff about specific animals.
As the search is narrowed down, households can finalize their preparations. For instance, a newly adopted puppy will have different needs compared to an older dog, in the same way that a family will need to prepare the house differently for a chihuahua than for a Siberian husky.
Finally, individuals should take time to appreciate the long-term commitment they will be making to a dog following an adoption. All plans and preparation should be for years to come. If adopting a dog starts to feel like too great a responsibility, individuals can still support animal welfare and shelters in a number of ways, including working as volunteers and making charitable contributions.
Steve Verschoor 