To get ready to adopt a dog, choose the kind of dog that fits your life, find a shelter or rescue, stock up on supplies, dog-proof your home, and plan for your new dog's first vet visit. October is a great time to start. It's Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and American Humane Society has celebrated it every year since launching the initiative in 1981.¹
Your Dog Adoption Checklist
Adopting a shelter dog makes a real difference. According to the ASPCA, about 2.8 million dogs entered U.S. shelters in 2025. Roughly 2 million were adopted, while 320,000 were euthanized.²
Here's everything to do before and right after you bring your new dog home:
Step | What to do | When |
|---|---|---|
1. Pick the right fit | Think about energy level, size, age, and how a dog fits your schedule | Before you visit shelters |
2. Set a budget | Plan for the adoption fee, supplies, vet care, and monthly costs | Before you apply |
3. Find a shelter or rescue | Look at local shelters, breed rescues, and adoption events | A few weeks ahead |
4. Ask questions | Learn the dog's health, history, and behavior | When you meet the dog |
5. Buy supplies | Get a crate, bed, food, bowls, leash, and ID tag | Before pickup day |
6. Dog-proof your home | Secure trash, chemicals, cords, and gates | Before pickup day |
7. Book a vet visit | Schedule a checkup and bring the shelter's records | In the first week or two |
8. Plan the first weeks | Keep routines calm and simple while your dog adjusts | The first three months |
What Kind of Dog Is Right for You?
Start with your lifestyle, not a breed. Ask yourself a few honest questions:
How active are you? A high-energy dog needs daily runs or long walks. A calmer dog may be happy with shorter strolls.
How much space do you have? Big dogs can live in apartments, but they need regular exercise.
Who lives with you? Think about kids, other dogs, and cats.
How much time do you have? Puppies need frequent potty breaks and training.
Many shelter dogs are mixed breeds, and that's a great thing. Learn more about mixed-breed dogs and what makes them special. Adult and senior dogs are also worth a look. Their personalities are already formed, so it's easier to know what you're getting.
Where Can You Adopt a Dog?
You have lots of options. The ASPCA notes there are nearly 5,000 animal shelters in the U.S. and more than 9,500 animal rescues.³ You can adopt from:
Your local animal shelter or humane society
Breed-specific rescue groups
Foster-based rescues, where dogs live in volunteer homes
Adoption events, which pop up often during October
Shelters and rescues usually charge an adoption fee.³ Fees often cover vaccines, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery, so ask what's included.
What Questions Should You Ask the Shelter?
Before you commit, get to know the dog as well as you can. Ask:
What do you know about the dog's history?
Has the dog been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped?
Are there any known health issues or medications?
How does the dog act with kids, other dogs, and cats?
What food is the dog eating now?
What's the return policy if it isn't a good fit?
Ask for copies of any medical records, too. Your vet will want to see them.
What Do You Need to Buy Before Adopting a Dog?
Get these basics before pickup day so your dog has everything ready:
A crate or quiet space, plus a comfy bed
The same food the shelter has been using, to avoid an upset stomach
Food and water bowls
A collar or harness, leash, and ID tag with your phone number
Poop bags or potty pads
A few safe chew toys and treats
Grooming basics like a brush and nail clippers
How Should You Dog-Proof Your Home?
Walk through your home from a dog's eye level. Put away shoes, cords, and small objects. Lock up cleaning products, medications, and toxic foods like chocolate and grapes. Secure trash cans, check your fence for gaps, and set up baby gates if you want to keep some rooms off-limits at first.
If you have other pets, plan a slow, supervised introduction. Give each pet their own space, food bowl, and quiet spot.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt and Own a Dog?
The adoption fee is only the start. Food, supplies, routine vet care, grooming, and surprise vet bills all add up. Our guide to the annual cost of owning a dog breaks down what to expect each year.
Many pet parents look into pet insurance soon after adoption. Rescue and shelter dogs can get coverage too, and our guide to pet insurance for rescue dogs explains how it works. Pet insurance typically doesn't help cover pre-existing conditions, so enrolling early helps you avoid gaps.
What Should You Expect in the First Few Weeks?
Your new dog may feel nervous at first. The ASPCA suggests keeping its 3-3-3 guideline in mind, since an adopted pet "might feel nervous and overwhelmed" in the early days.³ Adjustment usually happens in stages over the first few days, weeks, and months.
Keep routines predictable, give your dog a quiet space, and be patient. For a deeper look at the settling-in process, read our guide to what to expect after adopting a rescue dog.
Can't adopt right now? You can still help this October by fostering, volunteering at a local shelter, donating supplies, or sharing adoptable dogs on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month?
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month takes place every October. American Humane Society launched the national initiative, which it calls Adopt-A-Dog Month, in 1981 to encourage people to adopt dogs from shelters and rescues.¹ Many shelters host adoption events and special promotions during the month, so it's a great time to meet adoptable dogs near you.
What should I bring when I pick up my adopted dog?
Bring a leash and a collar or harness with an ID tag, plus a crate or seat-belt harness for the car ride home. Pack a few treats, poop bags, and a towel in case of accidents. Ask the shelter for the dog's medical records and a small bag of the food they've been eating to make the switch easier.
When should I take my adopted dog to the vet?
Schedule a checkup within the first week or two after adoption, or sooner if the shelter advises it or your dog seems unwell. Bring the shelter's medical records so your vet can check vaccines and any ongoing treatment. This first visit is also a good time to ask about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
Is it better to adopt a puppy or an adult dog?
It depends on your time and experience. Puppies are fun but need lots of training, potty breaks, and supervision. Adult dogs often come house-trained, with personalities you can see right away. Senior dogs tend to be calm and affectionate, and they're often overlooked in shelters. There's a great match for almost every home.
Every pet's needs are different, which is why flexibility matters when choosing coverage. Whether you have a playful puppy, a senior cat, or multiple pets at home, pet insurance can help you feel more prepared for the unexpected.
Spot Pet Insurance covers pets starting at 8 weeks old with no upper age limit and offers plans in all 50 states, helping make coverage more accessible for pet families. Enroll your pet today.
I've had the privilege of immersing myself in the realm of pet safety. As the owner of an energetic mini golden doodle, I know just how stressful being a pet owner can be. I am dedicated to ensuring our beloved pets enjoy a life brimming with good health.
American Humane Society. "Adopt-A-Dog Month." American Humane Society, updated July 2026. https://www.americanhumane.org/article/adopt-a-dog-month/
ASPCA. "U.S. Animal Shelter Statistics." ASPCA, 2026. https://www.aspca.org/helping-shelters-people-pets/us-animal-shelter-statistics
ASPCA. "Navigating Adoption: Finding and Welcoming Home Your Pet." ASPCA, 2026. https://www.aspca.org/adopt-pet/adoption-tips
