Adopting a dog from a shelter is a great way to give an animal in need a second chance. Shelters provide a safe haven, food, warmth, and basic medical care. While it may be the pet’s temporary home, the ultimate goal of a shelter is to find a permanent, loving family for each animal. When you choose to adopt, you are opening the doors to a new life for one pet and shortening the wait for others who have not yet found their forever home.
Adopting a pet in Poland is no small feat – it takes commitment, patience, and time. Before you can bring your furry companion home, you’ll need to pass an interview with the shelter staff. They’ll make sure you’re a good match for the puppy and that you’ll be able to provide the necessary care and attention. They’ll also need to know if your lifestyle and personality match the puppy’s.
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Types of Dog Shelters in Poland
Polish laws require municipalities to take responsibility for homeless dogs, giving rise to the first type of shelter. The second type is run by philanthropists, patrons, and other people who offer monetary contributions and other forms of help.
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In Poland, one out of every four animals living in shelters faces an untimely death due to a lack of proper care and funding. Shelters and foundations try to do their best, but resources such as food and veterinary care are still hard to come by. The number of animals living in shelters is increasing every year, and most of them are overcrowded, leaving no room for new arrivals.
Temporary Dog Home
Temporary shelters take in animals from foundations (nonprofit organizations that rely on generous donations and the 1% of taxes donated by individuals). These animals may have come from the streets and may be suffering from illness or anxiety-related behavioral issues that make them unsuitable for group living. Short-term care is provided until a loving owner is found to take them in.
Dog Adoption Process in Poland
To ensure a successful adoption, you must be patient. The shelter or organization you’re adopting from will take the time to get to know you, as this is in the best interest of the dog. Don’t take the screening process too personally, as it is important for the organization to know that you will be able to provide a safe and healthy environment for the pet.
Once the paperwork is done, it’s time to welcome your new pet home. Take a few days off work or make sure someone is around to help the animal adjust to its new environment. Don’t be too clingy at first; let the dog come to you and show interest. With the right amount of patience, your adoption will be a success.
Adoption Procedure
When you’re ready to adopt a puppy, it’s important to get to know him. Take him for a few walks to get an idea of his personality and behavior. After that, most shelters require an adoption application. This application will help them determine if you’re the right person for the puppy.
Here is how it works in Poland:
- Fill out a pre-adoption questionnaire (about 40 questions):
- Depending on your preferences, this is a puppy or adult survey.
- Questions relate to number of household members, number of trips per year, living conditions, etc.
- Adoption process begins:
- Positive consideration: Employee selects most appropriate pet
- Negative consideration: If response indicates dog is being sought on a whim
- Shelter worker visits pet’s future home
- Assess future living conditions
- Discuss cost of pet care and treatment
- Signing the adoption contract:
- Payment of adoption fee (20-200 PLN depending on the age of the animal)
- Commitment to veterinary care, proper treatment of the dog and possible follow-up visits
- Help after adoption:
- Post-adoption visits – exchange of experiences
- Help with any requests for new adopters from shelter employees
Dog Adoption Contract
In order to adopt a dog in Poland, you must sign an adoption contract upon presentation of a valid identity card. This contract may vary from shelter to shelter, but the most common clauses include
- providing for the animal’s veterinary needs
- sterilizing or neutering the animal
- returning the dog to the shelter if the guardian is unable to care for it, such as in the case of a serious illness
- ensuring proper treatment of the animal.
Costs of Adopting a Dog in Poland
Adopting a dog in Poland is a much more affordable alternative to buying a purebred dog from a kennel. Whether it’s a puppy, an adult or an unaltered female, the price you pay will vary. In general, you can expect to pay from PLN 20 for a puppy to PLN 200 for a pedigree. Check the shelter’s website for exact adoption fees.
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Some foundations don’t charge anything at all, and there are even shelters that give dogs away for free. If the dog you’re adopting isn’t spayed or neutered, the shelter veterinarian will spay or neuter your new pet for an additional fee.
Benefits of Dog Adoption
The fears of bringing home an older pet may be unfounded. They may have some bad habits that were never addressed. Fortunately, you can still modify their behavior. Many behaviorists agree that it is easier to change the behavior of an adult dog than a puppy because they have already gone through the adolescent stage and hormonal surge.
In addition, the cost of medical care in the event of an unexpected illness may not be as high as expected. The earlier a disease is detected, the easier it is to treat.
Virtual Dog Adoption in Ponad
Not everyone can afford to own a pet for the various reasons mentioned above. Therefore, an alternative is to contribute to the welfare of a pet through virtual adoption. This involves making monthly financial donations to cover the selected pet’s needs, such as food, medicine, supplies or disinfectant. Shelters are grateful for any amount of money, and it can be transferred to another pet once the adopted animal has found a real home.
You can also volunteer by visiting the shelter and walking the animals. Various events, such as the Six Paw Run, are often organized to raise funds and awareness, and you can participate in these as well.
References
- https://www.josera.pl/poradnik/wiedza-o-psach/adopcja-psa.html
- https://cowsierscipiszczy.pl/adopcja-psa/
