Before adopting a dog or cat, ask the rescue for available veterinary records, behavior observations and their context, the animal’s known history and routine, how it may fit your household, and the written adoption and follow-up terms. No rescue can provide a complete history or guarantee how an animal will behave after moving; the goal is to understand what is known, what remains uncertain, and what support is available.
What health questions should you ask?
Ask what care the animal has received, what is due next, and whether anything will need follow-up. Request copies of available records and share them with your veterinarian. Best Friends recommends asking which heartworm prevention medication the animal has received and whether it was tolerated; the ASPCA advises planning for regular veterinary care and establishing care with a nearby veterinarian shortly after adoption.
- When was the animal last examined by a veterinarian, and what did the examination find?
- Which vaccinations and parasite preventives has it received? What is due next, and when?
- Is it taking medication or being treated for an ongoing condition? Are there known injuries, dental issues, allergies, or other follow-up needs?
- Has it been spayed or neutered and microchipped? If licensing applies where you live, what is its status?
- Can I have copies of the veterinary records and the microchip identifier?
Ask which services or treatments, if any, are still due after adoption. Do not assume the adoption fee covers them; check what the rescue says in writing.
How should you ask about behavior?
Ask for specific observations, not just a label such as “friendly,” “shy,” or “good with children.” The ASPCA recommends gathering behavioral information from multiple sources. Shelter conditions, stress, pain, the observer, and the circumstances of an interaction can all affect what is seen. The ASPCA’s position statement says behavior assessments “have not proven highly accurate or precise when used to predict aggression after adoption.” Treat an assessment or incident as information to discuss, not a guarantee of what will happen at home.
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- What have staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, or a previous owner observed around unfamiliar people, handling, food, being alone, other animals, and children?
- Who observed each behavior, in what setting, and how often?
- Has the animal spent time in a foster home? If so, what was different there compared with the shelter?
- Has there been a bite, scratch, escape attempt, guarding, or other concerning incident? What happened before and after it, and what steps followed?
- What gradual introduction plan does the rescue recommend for people and any resident animals?
If an answer is based on a brief interaction or a single incident, ask what the rescue can and cannot infer from it. Also ask what precautions or support it recommends during the transition.
What should you learn about the animal’s history and routine?
Ask what is known about the animal’s previous home and why it entered rescue. Then distinguish firsthand observations from information reported by someone else. A history may draw on previous owners, finders, medical intake, staff, volunteers, or socialization sessions, and each source has limits.
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- What is known about the animal’s previous living situation and reason for entering rescue?
- What feeding, exercise, sleep, enrichment, and—if relevant—litter routine is it used to?
- What is known about house-training or litter habits, and how long has it spent alone?
- Who supplied each part of its history, and how much time did that person spend with the animal?
How can you assess whether the animal fits your household?
Describe your circumstances candidly so the rescue can discuss a realistic match: your schedule, children, other animals, housing restrictions, activity level, experience, and expectations. Ask what is known about the animal in those circumstances and what might make the transition easier. The ASPCA describes adoption conversations as dialogue to help match adopters and animals; use the conversation to raise both your needs and concerns.
When comparing animals or rescues, consider the completeness of medical records, how much behavior information comes from foster or home observations rather than brief shelter interactions, the match between the animal’s needs and your routine, what the fee includes, the clarity of the written terms, and the availability of post-adoption guidance. These are useful decision points, not a scoring formula.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhat should you confirm about fees, paperwork, and follow-up?
Adoption policies and local requirements vary, so confirm the details with the rescue and in the agreement rather than assuming they are standard.
- What does the fee include, and are any services or treatments still due?
- Can I read the full adoption agreement before signing? What conditions, follow-up, or return process does it specify?
- How will the microchip registration and any license or ownership records be transferred?
- Who should I contact if a medical or behavior concern arises after adoption?
- If the placement does not work, what steps does the rescue ask me to take?
The ASPCA recommends that adoption programs transfer ownership and proof of ownership, including licenses and microchips. Check how that transfer will work for this animal and your location. Ask about the rescue’s own post-adoption guidance and return process before signing; services and policies differ. If a placement ultimately cannot continue, the ASPCA recommends responsible rehoming or, as a last resort, placement with a reputable shelter, rescue group, or sanctuary.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the most important information to leave with?
Get the records the rescue has, understand the basis and limits of its behavior and history information, discuss household fit openly, and read the written terms before agreeing. If an answer is unclear, ask who observed it and under what circumstances; a careful conversation is more useful than treating any single assessment or promise as a prediction.
Quick Recap
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