Who among us hasn’t daydreamed about adopting a dog? Whether it’s your first or your fifth, adding a furry companion to your household can be a dream come true.
That said, you want to make sure you do things right. Our guide to adopting a dog in Houston will take you through the process step-by-step so you and your new friend can have an excellent first day together…and every day after.
Finding a dog in Houston
The first step to having a wonderful future with your new pet is, of course, to find him or her. Houston has many shelters—several reputable ones are listed below—that find, care for, and rehome stray pets. Look at their websites to see what sort of dogs are available.
Browse the animals’ profile pictures and read their descriptions, then compare this information to your own lifestyle. Which of the available dogs seems like she would do the best within your day-to-day life? Do you have time to train an energetic puppy, or is a senior dog more your speed? Will he get along well with everyone in your household? These are all questions you should answer before you sign adoption paperwork.
To help narrow your search, look up breed characteristics on the American Kennel Club website. While this won’t tell you a particular dog’s temperament with 100% accuracy, you’ll get an idea of how a dog with certain genetics might act, as well as the care necessary for that breed.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s talk about when. Houston shelters can quickly get overcrowded, especially during hurricane season. Natural disasters, unfortunately, lead to a lot of homeless pets, and rescues provide help not just to the animals in Houston but all along the Gulf of Mexico. Keep an eye out, because overcrowding may mean these rescues will reduce adoption fees in order to make space for needy animals (the City of Houston shelter BARC, for example, dropped adoptions to $1 in June 2019 to accommodate the 700+ animals it rescued weekly).
If you don’t see such adoption drives coming up soon, shelters may run discounts during national events like Adopt a Dog Month and National Dog Day. Keep looking! You’ll find the perfect pet when the time is right.
Banned breeds in Houston
Like several other states, Texas prohibits breed-specific legislation on a state-, county-, and city-wide basis. This is great news for people who love dog breeds that are often discriminated against, including “pit bulls,” Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, and others.
That said, private organizations can still restrict which animals are allowed on their property. If you’re a renter or member of a homeowners’ association, check your lease or bylaws to see if certain dog breeds are acceptable.
The adoption process in Houston
Each shelter, rescue, and volunteer-run service has its own adoption process. The specifics will vary, but they all follow the same general format:
- First, find a dog and fill out an adoption application. Here, you’ll explain things like your living situation, the amount of time you spend away from home, and if you have an established veterinarian. You can fill out an application online or right at the shelter.
- An adoption counselor will review your application. If approved, they’ll arrange a meeting with the dog. If you submitted your application online, your meeting may not happen for a few days.
- Bring everyone who will live in the same house as the rescue to the meeting, including other dogs. See how your potential pet interacts with others, and note any behaviors that will take time, patience, and resources to modify.
- If everything goes well, you can start the adoption paperwork. The shelter should organize its records on the dog at this time, including any medical information it has.
- After you sign the paperwork and pay the adoption fee, a counselor will talk with you about the duties of dog ownership. The shelter will also attempt to contact your landlord (if you rent) and your veterinarian (if you have one).
- Congratulations! You and your pet can head home.
Same-day adoptions can take an hour or two; the process can take about a week if you contact the shelter online. Also, keep in mind that some rescues require a home visit to ensure the dog is going to a good space.
Licensing dogs in Houston
In Harris County, all cats and dogs older than three months must have a current rabies vaccination and county license tag. You can do so in person, online, or at the shelter as you adopt your dog.
- To get a license, you will need:
- Your name, date of birth, address, and driver’s license number
- Your pet’s name, breed, color, age, and weight
- Proof of spay/neuter surgery and rabies vaccination
Dog licensing prices in Harris County range from $20 to $80, depending on the dog’s age and your age or military status (seniors and service members get a discount).
The first vet visit
You’ll want to take your new pet to the veterinarian within a week of adoption. This gives both parties—your vet and your dog—a chance to get to know each other in a low-stakes situation. It’s also an opportunity for the vet to screen for anything the shelter might have missed, such as kennel cough or parasites. It’s not uncommon for dogs to come home with such minor, easily treatable health issues. Some rescues will even reimburse part or all of the first vet visit.
Bring any adoption paperwork with you to this first appointment so the vet’s office can add it to their records.
How much it costs to adopt a dog in Houston
Adoption fees help shelters provide necessary, sometimes life-saving care for rescues, strays, and surrendered dogs. Your contribution could go toward anything from vital surgeries to enrichment toys.
To help you get a sense of what you’ll pay, here are adoption fees from three top-rated dog rescues in Houston:
BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions
- Cost: Varies, but typically no more than $75
- What it covers: spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm test, deworming treatment
Friends for Life
- Cost: $95 for dogs of any age, $70 for service members with military ID, repeat adopters, and senior humans (65+) adopting non-senior dogs. Adoption fee waived for senior humans adopting senior dogs. $250 refundable spay/neuter surgery deposit for dogs younger than 6 months
- What it covers: spay/neuter surgery (if the pet is more than 6 months old), microchipping, age-appropriate vaccinations
K-9 Angels Rescue
- Cost: $200 for adult dogs, $275 for puppies
- What it covers: spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, age-appropriate vaccinations, heartworm testing and prevention, flea prevention, other vital medicines or medical procedures if needed
Where to adopt a dog in Houston
- BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions: The official shelter of the City of Houston, required by law to accept every animal brought in from the streets.
- Citizens for Animal Protection: A shelter with nearly 50 years of history, CAP has a variety of services including low-cost vaccinations care, humane education programs, and feral cat colony TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) services.
- Friends for Life: A community-minded shelter offering free spay/neuter surgeries and a pet food bank.
- Harris County Animal Shelter: Operating under the Veterinary Public Health division of Harris County Public Health, the shelter accepts surrendered animals and offers pet wellness services in addition to adoptions.
- Houston Humane Society: In addition to rescuing and rehoming dogs, this shelter also saves cats, horses, and a variety of other animals.
- House Pets Alive!: Works directly with BARC and Harris County Animal Shelter to rescue animals most at-risk of euthanasia.
- Houston SPCA: Houston’s first and largest animal protection organization, the Houston SPCA investigates instances of animal abuse, neglect, and cruelty in addition to adopting out homeless pets.
- K-9 Angels Rescue: An all-breed, non-profit rescue with more than 350 volunteers.
- S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition: A volunteer-run organization with a Platinum rating from Guidestar.org that helps Houston-area rescue groups reduce pet homelessness.
- Special Pals Shelter: Offers cat and dog adoptions along with low-cost wellness, spay/neuter, and microchipping services.
Creating a care budget for your dog
Between food, vet visits, and care for when you’re away, owning a dog can easily cost $1000+ annually. Below are some things you’ll need to budget for:
Recurring expenses include:
- Food
- Toys
- Treats
- Dog walking services
- Dental care
- Exams and vaccinations
- Boarding/pet sitting
- Waste bags
- Parasite and flea/tick preventative
- Pet insurance
One-time purchases include:
- A collar or harness and a leash (the shelter may provide one or more)
- Bedding
- Crate
- Grooming products
- Pet-friendly cleaning products
- Puppy pads
- Training sessions
A note about pet insurance
Pet insurance can be great to have if your dog has chronic issues or is of a breed that’s prone to health problems. It’s up to you to determine if this expense is worth the cost. Get quotes from various providers, and see if your employer includes pet insurance in its benefits package.
Getting ready for your new dog
The final step in making your dog’s first day home the best day ever (before every other day the two of you share together, of course) is to have everything ready and in place. Your pet homecoming shopping list should include:
- Food, bowls, and treats
- Collar or harness and leash. The shelter may include these in the adoption fee.
- A crate that’s just the right size. Even if you don’t plan to crate your dog forever, this will act as a safe space while he gets adjusted to his new home.
- Toys
- Grooming tools
- Enzyme cleaner for accidents. Even house-trained dogs may have a little excitement accident!
And then, bring home your new pet!
Congrats again, and welcome to the first day of a great life with your new best friend. Know that you’ve got plenty of resources to help, including Rover’s network of qualified dog walkers, sitters, and boarders in Houston.
Houston tips for your new pet
- The Top 7 Dog Parks in Houston
- 9 Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Houston
- Top 5 Dog-Friendly Wedding Venues in Houston
Interested in learning more about services on Rover?
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