The Animal Shelter: Choosing a Healthy Pet

I recently took a trip to the local animal shelter with a friend of mine who was looking for a new dog. What started as a simple trip, turned into a tough decision, as choosing a healthy pet actually takes a careful eye.

For the purposes of this article we will be focusing on dogs, but the same general steps can be taken when choosing any type of animal. Remember, some dogs can live 20+ years, so choosing your new friend should take a lot of consideration. Size, breed, and sex all play important roles. 

When we first arrived at the shelter we were taken straight to the dog pens. We already knew we were looking for a small female, so our options were a tad bit limited. However, it didn't take more than a minute to spot a cute little beagle-mix named Saddie. She looked healthy enough.

But looks can be deceiving.

Before making the trip to the shelter we contacted a veterinarian friend of mine who warned us of a severe outbreak of "kennel cough" (Bordetellosis), a sickness similar to bronchitis in humans, which was affecting many of the animals in the shelter. Luckily, we were assured that all of the animals had been treated a few weeks prior and they all seemed fine.

After being told that Saddie was free of "the cough", we asked to take her outside to the play area. All kennels should have a play area, if you find one that doesn't, turn around and leave (and report it).

The play area is where you should check the dog for any signs of sickness and make your ultimate decision on whether or not you want to take the animal home. Pet the dog from head to tail, feel his entire body and search for any lumps that may be tumors. Be on the lookout for fleas, hair loss, or any area of the skin that looks inflamed. Watch as the animal runs around and plays, this is a good time to check for any limps from arthritis or aggression.

Thirty minutes is usually enough time to decide if this is the dog for you, in our case Saddie was indeed the lucky girl.