Considerations

Before adopting please consider:

Dietary needs
Veterinary bills
Exercise

Dietary needs may vary depending on whether or not a pet has special medical needs. While most people choose to feed their pet bagged or canned food, a growing number are discovering the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet (www.barfworld.com). ACRF recommends Science Diet and sends home a 5 lb bag with the pet on the day of adoption.

Annual veterinary bills minimally include annual vaccinations, heartworm preventatives and flea control but your pet may encounter other health issues. If you adopt a “special needs” pet, please be aware of additional veterinary costs such as diabetes or thyroid issues.

Exercise is a very important factor. Make sure you choose a pet that best fits your lifestyle and level of energy. For example, if you have limited mobility, consider a cat or an older dog; or if you have an active young family, consider an active young dog.

Honestly evaluating your lifestyle and preferences increases the chances of an excellent match.