Adult dog from shelter?

Question

If you adopt an adult dog from the shelter and if it didnt recieve its vacinations as a pup is it likely it would come down with distemper or any other disease? Is there anyway to know for sure? Do you just take the dog to the vet after you adopt and can you get all the shots if you arent sure if it has them? I know our animal shelter does a rabies and checks for worms and spays or neuters the dog. Anyone work at a shelter or as a vet/tech please educate me on this. Thanks

Answer 1

Hello. It sounds like you want to adopt an adult dog, which is great, so many adult dogs need homes. WHen i get a dog i am also going to adopt an adult. As for vaccines, most shelters vaccinate dogs for distemper and rabies when they first come in if they don't know their vaccine history. Ask the shelter you get your dog from and they will tell you what he has been vaccinated for, and what else he needs. They do this because it is safer to vaccinate twice, than take a chance and assume any dog has already been vaccinated. Most adult dogs have a stronger immune system than puppies, so it is less likely that they would get distemper, but still possible. Getting them vaccinated as soon as they come into the shelter Greatly reduces this risk. But you should still take your new dog to the vet as soon as you get him to get him examined and make sure he is healthy. Good Luck, and have fun with your new companion!!

Answer 2

Unfortunately, whenever you are considering adopting a dog from a shelter, there is usually no way to know about the dog's past. Even the most caring owners who turn their dogs in for financial hardship or other reasons don't always give shelters the whole story; it's even harder when animals are found as strays or left on the shelter's doorstep.

Distemper and other canine illnesses can be contracted in shelters, particularly those that are overcrowded, understaffed and underfunded, but I don't get the impression that it's terribly common. Not to take away from the work that animal shelters do--I applaud them all, they're just not all equally resourced.

In central Texas, dogs adopted from shelters carry an adoption fee, typically anywhere from $100 - $300. This adoption fee is techincally a 'donation', as all of the proceeds go directly to pay for the care of yours and other dogs at the shelter. Shelters and rescue organizations here spay and neuter all dogs prior to adoption, as well as screen for and begin preventative heart worm treatment. Rabies, distemper and fecal 'floats' for worms are also done prior to adoption--that's what your adoption fee pays for.

If you are unsure whether a shelter you are considering adopting from has the routine practice of vaccinating dogs, be sure to ask an adoption counselor or shelter employee, although I imagine it's fairly standard to do minimum vaccines and spaying and neutering in most areas.

Adopting a dog from a shelter is very big-hearted of you--good luck to you! :-)

Answer 3

the shelter does more then rabies. if not then it is not a good shelter.but before a dog is adopt it must see the vet and you have the right to go with them to the vet to ask questions and get the information that you want. all you have to do is tell the shelter that you want to have it vet checked and with you being there. some shelter will make you pay the bill unless there is something wrong with the dog you want

Answer 4

Most shelters will provide you with papers from the vet they use showing all the shots procedures they have had from the shelter. And you could probably call that vet and verify that information. Most shelters are reputable. Usually the fees you pay fray the costs from the vet. I have dealt with 3 different shelters and I have had no problem. Most of them encourage you to take your newly acquired dog to the vet to get checked out. Not to just protect you, but to protect themselves

Answer 5

If you adopt a dog from a shelter, ONLY adopt a dog from a shelter where the dog has already been vacinated.

Call the ASPCA or SPCA and ask if the dogs, to be adopted, already have shots.

Answer 6

Not a vet or tech, have gotten 4 wonderfull fantastic healthy dogs, or as I call em kids, from shelter, just take em to the vet, they dn't give out unhealthy dogs...go get one, they love you more than the snotty little ones with papers, trust me, have had both......god blesss you for doing the right thing...p.s....pick the ugliest....no one els will!!!!

Answer 7

Not a good idea!!