Before welcoming an animal companion into your home, remember to ensure that becoming a pet owner is the right decision for you. Remember that an animal companion will be your best friend for life, meaning it’s essential to ensure you can provide a stable home in the years to come.Â
When getting ready to adopt, preparation is key, which is why we’ve created a preliminary checklist for animal enthusiasts looking to adopt. Use our adoption checklist to prepare yourself, your family, and your household for the arrival of your new forever friend.
1. Consider your lifestyleÂ
Consider factors such as your living space and the type of animal you’d like to welcome into the family. Whether you’re looking for an independent cat or a loyal pocket pet, you should have an idea of what kind of companion would best suit you and your family’s lifestyle. If you feel you aren’t ready to permanently adopt, consider becoming a foster carer to help support animals in need without having to own a pet.Â
2. Learn how to care for your petÂ
Considering the joy, warmth, and cuddles that pets bring to our families and homes, it’s only fair that we learn and understand the needs of our animal companions. Whether you’re seeking assistance with your pet or simply interested in caring for animals, RSPCA NSW is here to help. You can also check out our blog to find helpful learning resources and guides to taking care of your forever friend.Â
3. Ensure you can support your petÂ
Make sure you’re financially prepared to support your new pet as you embark on your adoption journey! Consider the initial adoption fees as well as any ongoing expenses, such as food, veterinary care, shelter, grooming, and toys. Note that the cost of caring for an animal differs greatly between each pet. From animal type, age, breed, to any pre-existing health conditions, various factors can affect the overall cost of owning a pet.Â
4. Speak to our animal care teamÂ
Beginning your adoption journey is as easy as visiting one of our shelters. To help narrow the search for your new forever friend, simply speak to our welcoming animal care team, who will work with you to find an animal you connect with. You may even be asked to complete a quick questionnaire to help us understand the kind of animal that matches your preferences, lifestyle, and home.Â
Each day, we shine a spotlight on an animal in need, like Luna, to help them find a loving home or foster care.
Luna is currently located at our Hunter Shelter and can’t wait to meet you.
View Luna's profile
RSPCA NSW rehomes a range of amazing Rescuoodles, the brand-new breed of lovable pets sweeping animal lovers off their feet. Rescuoodles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes – some meow while others bark – but no matter what they look like, each has the potential to be someone’s forever friend! We can help you find your very own Rescuoodle at one of our shelters and adoption centres. Simply locate your nearest facility to begin your adoption journey today!
We also partner with Petbarn to find new homes for the animals in our care. As a result, you can adopt RSPCA NSW animals from more than 30 Petbarn Adoption Centres.
Though we regularly update our online lists of animals available for adoption, there is always a chance that an animal you’re interested in will have found a home prior to your arrival at our facilities.
Ready to find a new best friend? Then remember to arrive at the shelter with a photographic identity document, complete with your name and current address. If you already have a dog at home, we recommend bringing them to the shelter to ensure they get along with the newest member of your family!
After every canine or feline adoption, we promptly reach out to new pet parents to offer support via phone or email, offering advice, referrals to our teams, or access to additional helpful resources. Whether we continue to follow up is entirely up to you, and whether you’d like us to keep checking in to provide advice to help you and your new Rescuoodle.
Though we strive to ensure that new adopters feel supported when adjusting to life with their animal companions, our support channels are always open to any animal lovers in need of assistance. From general over-the-phone advice to referrals to our behaviour or veterinary teams, we have plenty of options available to those in need of post-adoption support.
By adopting your very own Rescuoodle, you’ll be making a life-changing difference for an animal in need. Each of our animals has the capacity to be someone’s forever friend. All they need is a kind-hearted animal lover to open their heart and home.
Animal welfare organisations like ours care for thousands of animals a year, including cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and more!
All RSPCA NSW animals have undergone health and behavioural checks to ensure that they are ready
to begin their adoption journey. Our animals have been microchipped, desexed, and treated for parasites as needed, ensuring adopters can focus on bonding with their animal companion.
We strive to provide the very best support throughout the post-adoption process. Indeed, our staff and volunteers are always ready to assist new adopters, offering guidance on everything from breed-specific advice to exercise, nutrition, and training tips.
Whether you’re saving adoption for later or simply holding off on a new forever friend, there are so many ways to lend a hand if you’re looking to support animals in need.
Becoming a foster carer is such a rewarding experience. If you’re unsure about adopting but looking to personally assist our animals, consider joining our wonderful team of incredible foster carers today!
Furthermore, our shelters and adoption centres facilitate a range of volunteering opportunities, perfect for those currently unable to welcome an animal into their home. From joining our Emergency Response Team to assisting with animal transportation, there are so many ways you can help support communities and their pets.
We promise to uphold the highest ethical standards. Your personal information has never been, and never will be sold or traded to other charities. This is our promise to you.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waterways, and particularly acknowledge the vital role animals have played in Indigenous life, stories and culture for tens of thousands of years.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
