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Give a Furry Friend a Forever Home: How to Adopt a Dog In Every State

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If you're wondering how to adopt a dog right now, you're not alone: The social, psychological, and emotional benefits, especially during the coronaviruspandemic when social distancing makes many people feel isolated and lonely, are innumerable. Adopting a dog is securing an adorable vessel of unconditional love, and many shelters have seen rises in quarantine adoptions since so many of us are home.

The benefits of adopting a dog are pretty endless, especially when compared to purchasing a dog from a breeder or pet shop.

"One of the most important is that you can see what you will get when adopting a dog," Dr. Margit Muller, veterinarian and author of Your Pet, Your Pill®: 101 Inspirational Stories About How Pets Lead You to a Happy, Healthy and Successful Life, tells Parade. "Usually breeders or pet shops sell puppies and nobody can predict for sure how they will turn out as adult dogs. However, in animal shelters, the shelter staff can help you to choose the dog according to its temperament and character—especially in adult dogs. This means that if you have a family with children, an active dog is much better suited. In contrast, when you are alone and working full-time, a dog that is a bit older and more laidback might be the better choice for you. To find the dog that matches your family situation and lifestyle will help tremendously to increase the chances that this adoption is successful and the dog remains with your family for life."

There are also benefits to your karma—as well as your wallet.

"A shelter dog has usually lived a more difficult life and therefore values it so much more to find a new home," Dr. Muller says. "The love an adopted dog gives you and your family is so much more profound as they will always cherish and love you for giving it a chance for a new life. Also, animal shelters offer more healthy dogs for adoption which is not always the case among breeders and pet shops. In case that the dog has a problem like diabetes, the shelter will inform the potential adopter about the impact and special care the dog requires before its adoption. Another boon is that adopting a dog saves you a lot of money that you can use for its upkeep!"

Of course, there are so many questions—from what size to get: a small dog breed or a large dog breed? To if you want a guard dog or an affectionate dog breed?

How to Adopt a Dog

Where can I find a dog to adopt?

A great first step is just to pop over and visit your local shelters and rescues. Not sure where those are? Try searching for your zip code, then "dog adoption."

That said, Petfinder is an invaluable resource in finding a dog to adopt. You can search by location and filter your results by criteria like breed, size, whether they shed, how they get along with kids and cats, and more.

How much does it cost to adopt a dog?

Adoption fees for dogs vary by shelter and rescue, but are typically a few hundred dollars. These fees usually cover not just the actual adoption, but also all of the medical care (often including spaying and neutering) that your dog received before they met you. However, be on the lookout for special adoption events: Sometimes shelters and rescues will waive fees for certain pets and periods to encourage clearing out their cages to make room for new animals in need.

Related: Fastest Dog Breeds

Can I adopt a dog from another state?

Laws vary by state and region, and rules vary by rescue, as to whether you can adopt a dog from another state, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Many rescues require you to meet your dog before taking them home, which can be a big commitment if you fall in love with a puppy two states away. That said, many rescues provide transportation for dogs to and from other states. Check with your rescue and shelter to be sure, as the pandemic has affected many aspects of pet transportation, shelter visitation and adoption.

What should I know before adopting a dog?

According to Dr. Muller, you really need to wrap your head around the level of commitment that a dog will bring to your life.

"The most important thing is to understand that adopting a dog is a responsibility and a commitment for at least a decade. Dogs are not toys to be played with and thrown away again. Be openminded and not fixated on a special breed or age," she advises. "Be ready to fall in love! The right way for adopting the perfect match is that it “clicks” between you and the dog because the feeling has to come from the heart. Even if you find the perfect dog according to your wishes, it might not click, but it might with another pooch that maybe wasn’t on your wish list."

Additionally, everyone in your household needs to be on the same page in terms of giving your pooch the best possible life, even when it may not be convenient. "Think about questions like what to do with the dog during vacations, if your home is more suitable for a large or small dog, who will walk it, if there are green spaces or dog parks close by, is the financial upkeep of the dog secure. In case you rent, it is important to check if your landlord allows pets. Once you answer all these questions, you are well prepared for a successful adoption and great life with your newly adopted dog."

Related: Why Are Dogs More Scared of Storms Than Cats?

How to Adopt a Dog in Every State

How to Adopt a Dog in Alabama

In Alabama, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Alaska

In Alaska, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Arizona

In Arizona, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Arkansas

In Arkansas, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

Related: 300 Unique Dog Names

How to Adopt a Dog in California

In California, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Colorado

In Colorado, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Connecticut

In Connecticut, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Delaware

In Delaware, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Florida

In Florida, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Georgia

In Georgia, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Hawaii

In Hawaii, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

Related: Smartest Dog Breeds

How to Adopt a Dog in Idaho

In Idaho, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Illinois

In Illinois, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Indiana

In Indiana, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Iowa

In Iowa, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Kansas

In Kansas, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Kentucky

In Kentucky, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Louisiana

In Louisiana, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

Related: Is Your Dog Among the Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds?

How to Adopt a Dog in Maine

In Maine, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Maryland

In Maryland, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as:

How to Adopt a Dog in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, you can adopt dogs from local humane societies, SPCAs and animal control centers, as well as: