Action
Adopt your next furry friend rather than buying them from a pet store or breeder.
Why
Choosing to adopt can help save the life of an animal that may not otherwise get a second chance at finding a loving home.
Detail
Every year, thousands of animals get surrendered to shelters around New Zealand: dogs, cats, birds, mice, rats, rabbits and more. Some of them have suffered greatly and all of them deserve a second chance at life with a loving family.
Top tip: Are you ready for another family member? Always remember that animals feel happiness and pain just like you do – they need more than love to be happy. You need to take time to consider if an animal would be happy, healthy and safe in your home. If your family is ready for a companion animal, always choose to adopt.
What you'll need
Instructions
- Once you have decided that you wish to adopt, you need to decide what kind of new family member will fit in well with your current family.
- Make contact with your local animal shelter.
- Visit the shelter to meet your potential companion animal. Make sure you spend lots of time to get to know them.
- Make sure your home is set up to properly care for your animal companion.
- Complete the adoption paperwork. The shelter will check to make sure that you are the right family for the animal. There is usually a fee you must pay to complete the adoption.
- Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for – bringing your new friend home! Most animals will need to be transported in a secure carrier. They can be very frightened so give them time and space to settle in with your family.
- Make sure you take your animal companion to a vet at least once a year to make sure they are happy and healthy.
