In certain angles of light, my spots are visible. They call me a black panther, but I am really a black leopard. When I was young I roamed with my mother in the riverside forest of Thailand. At my mother’s side I learned stealth and patience, how to slip silently through the forest, to drink from the rushing river, to kill only as much as we needed to sustain ourselves, to respect the boundaries of other, to know freedom.
By night the scent of the forest was fragrant with flowers and the earth was cool beneath our feet. By day the forest was a dozen shades of green.We slept cradled in the boughs of trees, safely hidden by the tangle of leaves.
One day we came across some tree branches plaited together on the ground. We walked around them, sniffing, exploring. My mother put a tentative foot on it and the ground gave way beneath her. She tumbled into a trap from which she could not get free.
I stayed by her through the night into the next day, when humans arrived. They talked excitedly when they saw us. I retreated into the forest, but not quickly enough. I was captured, my mother was killed, and they took us out of the forest. My mother’s body was used for ceremonies and luxury clothing. I was too little to be of use that way, so I was sold into the exotic pet trade.
I changed hands many times. Some of my owners, as they called themselves, were kinder than others. Eventually, I traveled across the water and came to this place called a zoo. My cage here is bigger than the cages in which I was accustomed to living. I can stride six paces in one direction, turn, and stride six paces in the other direction. People come to look at me, and mostly I ignore them. Sometimes I turn my golden-eyed gaze on them. In the eyes of the bigger people I see a tinge of fear. In the eyes of the little people I see only wonder.
There is a man who brings me food and water and talks to me in a calm voice. He told me that soon, soon, they will build me a bigger enclosure and I’ll have rocks, trees, a little trickle of a stream, and space in which to move.
Sometimes when the night sky is black and the stars glitter, I feel pulled toward my wild nature. My urge to roam is deep and strong and visceral. I close my eyes, and in my dreams go to the riverside forest and remember the fragrant night wind, the soft earth beneath my feet, the sound of the rushing river.
Looking at online listings for adoptable pets can be fun, but when you’re ready to decide on a dog or cat to bring home, it’s time to choose an animal shelter to visit. You may be surprised by which animal in your local shelter captures your heart and feels like the perfect fit for your home and life. Taking the time to interact with a potential pet in person can help you find the right pet for you, as well as give you the opportunity to ask questions of shelter volunteers.
When you feel prepared for your visit to an animal shelter, you can ease any anxiety you may have about shelter pet adoption and make sure that you’re ready for the commitment of pet parenthood.
Before visiting the animal shelter
While you can walk into an animal shelter any day they’re open, it helps if you can prepare yourself for the task of choosing a pet to adopt. Spend some time browsing online listings for your local shelter but don’t set your heart on a specific pet before you meet them. You may fall in love with a completely different animal at the shelter, so keep an open mind — and heart.
Consider what type of pet is the best fit
Before you visit a shelter, think about what you want in a pet.
Does your schedule allow for the needs of a dog, or is a cat a better fit?
Do you have the time to train a young dog or is an older dog more suited as a pet who already knows the basics?
Shelter volunteers can help you find the right pet for you. They know a lot about the animal’s personalities and temperaments and can answer your questions to pair you with the right animal for your family and household.
Do some research
Read up on the animal shelter online and learn what to expect from their adoption process. Every shelter and rescue has their own steps to adopting a pet, so make sure you understand required fees and the information you’ll need to fill out an adoption application. Some shelters may require a home visit to make sure your environment is suitable for your chosen pet, while others may only require you to fill out a form and provide references.
Gather your supplies
While you likely won’t bring home a new pet after your dog shelter visit, it’s still a good idea to have your home prepped for their arrival. Make sure to pet-proof your house or apartment, putting away any cherished personal belongings to avoid damage. Go on a shopping trip to purchase all the supplies you’ll need for your new family member, such as food and water bowls, a collar and leash, toys, and treats.
Choose a time to visit
Many animal shelters are fine with walk-ins during their posted hours, but if you want to make sure a volunteer is available to speak with you, it doesn’t hurt to call and schedule an appointment. Find a time that works for you and anyone else you plan to bring along, whether that includes other members of your family or a friend for moral support. If you’re not able to visit the shelter in person, ask if there are virtual animal shelter visits available.
Bring your entire family
A visit to the animal shelter should be a family affair. Bring along everyone who will share in the responsibility of caring for the new pet, so you can make sure the animal is the right fit for everyone involved.
Taking children along when you visit an animal shelter can be a challenge, so it’s important to establish rules for their behavior before you go. Bringing your kids along can help them feel involved in the decision and get them excited about caring for a new pet.
During your visit to the animal shelter
Keep in mind that shelter staff and volunteers are often busy, and you may have to wait before you can spend time with a potential pet. Prepare for the animal shelter visit experience to be a noisy one, with excited shelter dogs barking about new people in their space.
1. Be patient and understanding
Animals may act differently in a shelter environment than they would in a home. Be patient and understand that a rescue dog or cat could be overwhelmed by new people, especially if you bring children with you. Give the animal space to approach you on their own terms, and remind children to pet them gently.
2. Ask questions
Don’t hesitate to ask shelter staff questions about your potential new pet, such as how the animal shelter cares for their animals and what training the pet may have had. This is your opportunity to learn about an animal’s health history, any behavioral issues, and how well they do with other animals. You can also ask about the next steps in the adoption process.
3. Take your time
As exciting as it is to visit a shelter and look for a new pet, don’t be disappointed if you don’t find the right dog or cat immediately. Your goal should be to connect with an animal who fits with your lifestyle. Be sure to take your time and be open to any animal in the shelter being the right one for you.
Tips for visiting an animal shelter
When you’re looking for a dog or cat to adopt, seeing all the animals in a shelter can be overwhelming. Keep these tips in mind as you visit your local shelter.
Spend time with the animals to get a clearer idea of what pet is best for you.
Keep an open mind and give every animal the chance to steal your heart.
Consider pets who are less likely to be adopted, such as senior animals.
Stay safe and pay close attention to any posted signs or notices.
Commonly asked questions
How can I ensure a successful shelter visit when looking to adopt a pet?
The best way to ensure a successful shelter visit is to be patient with both staff and animals, and take your time when choosing a new pet to adopt. Don’t hesitate to ask questions of shelter staff, whether about the animals or the adoption process — or both.
Can I donate to the shelter during my visit?
Yes, you can donate to the shelter during your visit. Shelters are always in need of supplies and financial support to help care for their animals. The staff will likely be more than happy to accept a donation during your visit.
The concert will benefit a PA rescue and a NJ rescue. If you’re local, come out for an evening of diverse as well as food and drink! Steel City Coffee House, 203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19406.
Good article. The only part I quibble with is the bit that dogs are the only non-primate species that makes eye contact. Every person who lives with cats knows of their intentional, direct eye contact from a cat—including in the form of slow eye blinking (affection) .
Jill was a young dachshund mix we fostered. She came from a kill shelter in the south. In these harsh environments, dogs have only a small number of days before they are euthanized to make room for the never-ending tide of homeless pets pouring in.
We often don’t know specifically what these dogs have endured, but they tell us about it through their actions and their fears. We could tell Jill had had a hard life. When she came to us, she didn’t want to be touched, and hid behind the furniture.
Her tail was gnarled from being chewed. She would chase it for long periods of time, spinning in circles, a sign of trauma likely stemming from neglect. Sometimes she would catch her tail and chew it, inflicting self harm.
We coaxed her out from her hiding place, and brought her out with us to show her some affection. She shrank from us at every touch, not believing we would be kind to her.
Finally it was time for bed the first night. Our dogs always sleep with us, so we brought Jill up to bed with us. We got in bed and placed her between us. Our dogs took their places curled up at our feet. We patted Jill and invited her to lay down and settle in for the night. Suddenly a look of astonishment came over her face, like a bolt of lightning. She looked at me, then my wife, then back to me. All at once it hit her: she was going to sleep with us, snuggling in the warmth and safety of our bed. Like Family! She was instantly elated, leaping back and forth between us, licking us with gracious kisses, wagging her stubby little tail as fast as she could.. She couldn’t believe it – she was going to be loved! After a prolonged outpouring of appreciation, she finally settled in and had what may have been the most restful night of sleep she ever had.
After that, she was different, not fearing us or hiding. She became playful and loving.
Before long, she was adopted into a loving family. We wished her well as she headed off to her new life. This was not the last we saw of her, however. We did dogsit her for a week when her family went on vacation. Her family had gotten her help for her lingering anxiety. She was on medication which helped alleviate her trauma.
Many foster dogs have experienced hardship, but few have such a sudden epiphany as Jill did. Instead, it usually dawns on them slowly over days or weeks that their lives have changed for the better, and they can rely on people to be kind to them. Because of this, the one thing they all have in common is a profound gratitude for being rescued. Even though they don’t understand the complex financial, legal, and medical issues surrounding their larger circumstances in society, they do understand very clearly that they’ve been rescued from a terrible fate. And they are eternally grateful for that.
I was walking in the fields the other day when I was overtaken by a strong, intruding thought: I want to adopt a dog. Wait, what? said I to myself. I’d already decided two years ago not to adopt another dog. I tried to put the thought aside, but it stuck with me.
My last rescue dog, Finn, passed suddenly in 2023. Finn’s death deeply saddened me—he was a sweet, special needs dog rescued from horrible conditions in Alabama. He had survived distemper as a puppy—the survival, a rarity—and had gait issues because of it. The “owner” of the 300-dog place from which Finn was rescued was jailed for animal abuse—another rarity. Finn was leery of everyone but family and close friends. There was no meanness to him. He was a gentle presence who emanated kindness and got along fabulously with my two cats.
At the time of Finn’s death, I was in the midst of helping my partner navigate a terminal illness. Overwhelmed by hospital visits, the impending trajectory, and care for my partner, I decided that I would stick only with my cats, who are loving, entertaining, and easy to care for. So sure was I that I had the ugly chain link dog fence, which came with the house when I bought it, removed.
Two years later came the inconvenient, unbidden recognition that I wanted to adopt a dog. After fighting the urge for a good week, I looked on petfinder.com at rescue dogs known to be friendly with cats. I perused hundreds of adoptable dogs (my god, there are so many rescue animals, including purebreds, that need homes; please consider adoption rather than buying from a breeder). I kept coming back to one and only dog, who met none of the criteria I had in mind. This particular dog is 9 months old (I wanted an older dog), much smaller than I had in mind (I wanted a dog the size of a pit bull or lab), and she was missing patches of hair from neglect, a bacterial infection, and exposure to the winter elements in West Virginia where she and her sisters were tied up, without shelter I believe. But there was something about the pup—maybe the look in her eye?—and I felt some ineffable connection with her. I called the rescue, talked at length to the foster parents, and arranged a “meet and greet” visit at my home. It went very well, and she was very respectful of the cats.
I pick up the pup in less than two weeks. I already have the vet appointment lined up, a new fence in the process of installation, and I repurchased all of the dog necessities I had donated two years ago. I cannot wait to welcome her into the family!
Adoption and Fostering Adopting a pet from a shelter is one of the most direct ways to make a difference. Approximately 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year, but many more still need homes. Fostering is also crucial, as it opens up shelter space for additional animals in need.
Volunteering and Community Involvement You can support animal welfare by:
Volunteering at local animal shelters (walking dogs, socializing animals, helping with paperwork)
Participating in community animal welfare programs
Sadly, there are many cats who are born without a family or a safe, warm place to call home. These cats can be found just trying to survive without shelter, in harsh winter weather.
Often living in communities and cared for by volunteers, these homeless cats sometimes cannot be socialized. You can help cash-strapped volunteer and rescue organization care for these cats by sending vital supplies:
Blanket – One of the most requested items by animal welfare groups, caring for community cats. Give these kitties a blanket to cuddle up and stay warm in the winter. Straw and Mylar even better than blankets.
Shelter – These sturdy, water resistant cat houses are insulated and stackable. Provide community cats a safe and hygienic home to protect them from the elements.
Shelter & Supplies – Provide the cat community with a clean and suitable outdoor cat house, plus two cat food/water bowls.
Complete Comfort Kit – Give a cat house, two cat bowls for food and water, and two warm and cozy blankets to an organization caring for community cats.
Help us give these poor cats a the warmth and care they deserve during this harsh winter.
Untold Animal Stories 