Key Terms Related to Animal Shelters, Rescues, and Adoptions
Last Updated: August 3, 2017
By: Puppy Leaks
Are you considering adopting a pet but feel bogged down by all the information out there? This guide is here to simplify things and help you understand the key terms and processes involved. Here’s a handy glossary to get you started with animal shelters, rescues, and adoptions:
Animal Shelter
Also known as a pound, municipal shelter, or animal control office, an animal shelter is where stray, lost, abandoned, and surrendered animals are housed. In the U.S., these places are managed by local counties or governments and overseen by state regulations. There are about 5,000 independently operated animal shelters nationwide.
Animal Rescue
Animal rescue organizations are devoted to adopting out animals. They take in stray, lost, abandoned, and surrendered pets. Most of these groups are volunteer-run and rely on donations for funding. Some have dedicated adoption facilities while others use foster homes for animal care.
Animal Adoption
Commonly called pet rescue, this is the act of adopting a pet from an animal shelter or rescue organization.
Adoption Application
This is the form you fill out if you’re interested in adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue group. It includes details about the adoption process and any specific requirements. Most shelters and rescues have their adoption applications available online.
Adoption Event
These are public events where shelters or rescues showcase some of their adoptable pets. At some events, you can take pets home the same day, while others may require you to complete an application process first.
Adoption Fee
This is the cost associated with adopting an animal. The fee is set by the shelter or rescue and usually covers veterinary care (like spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations), food, and transportation.
Adoption Outreach Center
These are places like veterinary offices or pet stores that display animals available for adoption from local shelters or rescues.
Adoption Process
This refers to the steps involved in adopting an animal from a shelter or rescue. Each organization has its own process, which should be detailed in their adoption application materials. Some approve adopters the same day, while others may take longer due to required pre-adoption steps like home checks and vet references.
Background
This is the information related to an adoptable pet’s history and origin. Pets that come in as strays often have less background information compared to those surrendered by their owners.
Euthanasia
This is the practice of humanely ending an animal’s life to relieve pain or suffering. Shelters may euthanize animals when they run out of space or if the animals have health or temperament issues that make them less adoptable.
Euthanasia Rate
This is the percentage of animals a shelter euthanizes, calculated by comparing the number of animals taken in to the number euthanized. For example, if a shelter took in 5,000 animals and euthanized 500, it has a 10% euthanasia rate. Note that this rate doesn’t include owner-requested euthanasia or animals deemed untreatable.
Foster
A volunteer who cares for adoptable animals in their home until the animals can find permanent homes.
Foster to Adopt
This is the process where you foster an animal with the intent to adopt, allowing you to see if the pet is a good fit for your home before finalizing the adoption.
Foster Failure
This term refers to when foster volunteers end up adopting the animals they were supposed to temporarily care for.
This guide should help you navigate the world of pet adoption more confidently. Happy adopting!
