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So You Want To Adopt?

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Please Think Before You Leap

If you're like most of us, falling in love with a beagle is really easy. And it is no wonder because they are adorable! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work.

And beagles are great dogs, but they are not for everyone! Our dogs are not perfect and some require lots of patience and/or training. Adopting a beagle is a big decision and there are a variety of situations to consider before adopting a life-long friend. Beagles require lots of time, daily exercise, money, and commitment - over 15 years worth in many cases. Beagle ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt. If you have never owned a beagle, please read our page titled “The Beagle” and research the breed BEFORE applying.

Our goal is to make the best match by taking into consideration the beagle’s background and your family’s needs. Every dog is different: personality, temperament, energy, comfort with kids and other animals, medical needs and more. We consider all these items when making a furever-home decision. We are very careful about the placements we make. We do our best to place the right beagle with the right adoptive home, because we want this to be the dog's forever permanent home.

Seattle Beagle Rescue will consider adoptive families from all over the Pacific Northwest, as well as other states if you are willing to come meet a beagle in person. We will NOT fly dogs out of state to an adopter. We do not work on a first come, first served basis and we usually have a list of applicants waiting to be matched with a dog. If you are willing to wait for the right rescue beagle, you are an ideal candidate for SBR. As our success rate proves, these precious dogs are well worth the wait. If acquiring a dog is a time sensitive issue for you and/or your family, or you desire a perfect dog as soon as you walk through the front door then a rescue may not be for you. Rescue dogs take time to settle in and adjust to their new homes and new families. Patience and understanding is golden in the rescue world.

Things To Know

The fact that you're thinking about adopting means you're a responsible and caring person. But before you make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions:
  • Why do you want a beagle? It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a dog. Adopting a dog just because it's "the thing to do" or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don't forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.
  • Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them.
  • Can you afford a pet? The costs of dog ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, and other expenses add up quickly.
  • Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a dog can cause? Flea infestations, possible house training accidents from beagles who aren't yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of dog ownership.
  • Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don't allow pets and/or have restrictions. Many cities or counties have animal regulations. Make sure you know all city/county ordinances, as well as rental requirements before you bring a beagle home.
  • Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have kids under five years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a beagle. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise.
  • Are your living arrangements suitable for the beagle you have in mind? Dog size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some beagles are very active-they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some beagles are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a beagle, do some research! That way, you'll ensure you choose a beagle that will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
  • Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
  • Will you be a responsible pet owner? Obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your dogs are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your beagle love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
  • Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for a beagle for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a beagle, you are making a commitment to care for them for his or her lifetime.

 

GET A dog FOR LIFE

Sure, it's a long list of questions. But a quick stroll through any shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt is so important.

Many of the shelter's homeless dogs are puppies, victims of irresponsible people who allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many dogs at the shelter who are more than a year old-dogs who were obtained by people who didn't think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got the dog.

Please, don't make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion dog can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love-for the life of the pet.

If you're ready to adopt a companion for life, please visit our Available Dogs to see our many wonderful dogs available for adoption at the Seattle Beagle Rescue.

If someone tugs at your heart and you would like to meet him or her, please fill out an Adoption Application by clicking on the link below.

Apply to Adopt a Dog

Ready to Adopt?

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