Questions to Ask Before Adopting From a Shelter

What to ask a shelter before you adopt

The shelter staff know the animal's history, behavior, and medical needs better than anyone. Before you take an animal home, ask them directly about the specific dog, cat, or other pet you are considering — not general questions about shelter policy. The answers will tell you whether this animal is a fit for your household, what costs you are walking into, and what problems might show up after adoption.

Start with the animal's past and present behavior, then move to medical history and any ongoing care. End by asking what happens if the adoption does not work out. These conversations take 10 to 15 minutes and can save you months of frustration or expense.

Key Takeaways

• Ask the shelter staff about the specific animal's behavior around children, other pets, and strangers — not whether the shelter has a general policy on these things.
• Request the animal's full medical history, including any chronic conditions, medications, or surgeries, so you know what veterinary costs to expect.
• Find out whether the animal has been housetrained, crate-trained, or has any known behavioral issues like resource guarding or separation anxiety.
• Ask what the shelter's return policy is and whether they will take the animal back if the adoption does not work out.
• Clarify what medical care is included in the adoption fee and what you will pay for separately at your own veterinarian.

Behavior and temperament questions

Ask the shelter staff how the animal behaves in the shelter environment first, then ask how they think it will behave in your home. Shelter behavior is not always home behavior — an animal that is calm in a kennel may be anxious or destructive alone in an apartment, or vice versa. Staff who have watched the animal for weeks can often predict this.

If you have children, ask directly: "How does this animal react to sudden movements, loud noises, or being touched while eating or sleeping?" If you have other pets, ask whether the animal has lived with them before and what the shelter observed during any test visits. Ask whether the animal has ever bitten, snapped at, or lunged at a person or another animal, and under what circumstances.

Ask about training: Is the animal housetrained? Can it walk on a leash without pulling? Does it know any commands? Has it lived in a home before, or is this its first time? Ask whether the animal has separation anxiety — does it panic or destroy things when left alone — and whether it has resource guarding issues, meaning it becomes defensive around food, toys, or people.

Medical history and ongoing care

Request the animal's complete medical record from the shelter. This should include vaccination dates, any surgeries or injuries, chronic conditions, and current medications. Ask whether the animal is on any prescription medication and, if so, what it costs per month and where you will refill it.

Ask whether the animal has any known health problems that may develop later — hip dysplasia, heart conditions, or breed-specific issues. Ask about the animal's age and whether the shelter knows its actual birthdate or is estimating. Ask whether the animal has been spayed or neutered, and if not, whether the adoption fee includes that procedure or whether you will pay for it separately.

Ask what vaccines and preventive treatments are included in the adoption fee. Most shelters include spay/neuter, basic vaccines, and a microchip, but some do not. Ask whether the animal has been tested for parasites and treated if necessary. If the animal is a cat, ask whether it has been tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.

Adoption fees and what they cover

Ask for a clear breakdown of what the adoption fee includes and what you will pay for at your own veterinarian. Common inclusions are spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccines, microchipping, and a first veterinary exam. Some shelters include a follow-up exam or a month of flea and tick prevention.

Ask whether the adoption fee is negotiable or whether the shelter ever runs promotions. Ask whether there is a trial period — some shelters allow you to return the animal within a set number of days if it is not working out, and some refund part or all of the adoption fee if you do.

Ask whether the shelter offers any post-adoption support, such as training advice, behavioral consultations, or help if problems arise after you take the animal home. Some shelters will troubleshoot issues by phone or email at no cost, and some offer discounted training classes to people who adopted from them.

Return policy and what happens if it does not work out

Ask directly: "If this adoption does not work out, will you take the animal back?" Ask whether there is a time limit on returns and whether the shelter will refund any part of the adoption fee. Ask what the shelter does with returned animals — do they go back into the adoption pool, or do they go into foster care while the shelter assesses them again?

Ask whether the shelter requires you to contact them before returning an animal, or whether you can simply bring it back. Ask whether the shelter will help you troubleshoot problems before you decide to return the animal. Some shelters have staff or volunteers who can offer advice on training, behavior, or medical issues, and using that resource may solve the problem without a return.

Questions about the animal's past

Ask how the animal came to the shelter. Was it surrendered by an owner, found as a stray, or transferred from another shelter? If it was surrendered, ask why — this information matters. An animal surrendered because the owner moved is different from one surrendered because of behavioral problems.

Ask how long the animal has been at the shelter and whether it has been adopted before and returned. Ask whether the shelter knows anything about the animal's life before it arrived — did it live with a family, was it a stray, was it in another shelter? The more history you have, the better you can predict how the animal will adjust to your home.

Ask whether the animal has any triggers or fears based on its past. An animal that was abused may be afraid of certain objects, sounds, or types of people. An animal that lived outside may panic indoors. Knowing these things in advance means you can prepare your home and your expectations.

Practical questions about daily life

Ask about the animal's energy level and exercise needs. Ask how much time per day it needs to be active, and whether it can handle being alone during a work day. Ask whether the animal is vocal — does it bark, meow, or make noise frequently? This matters if you live in an apartment or have close neighbors.

Ask about grooming needs. Does the animal need regular brushing, nail trimming, or professional grooming? Ask about shedding and whether the animal has any allergies or dietary restrictions. Ask whether the animal is good with car rides and veterinary visits, or whether it gets anxious or aggressive in those situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I trust what the shelter tells me about an animal's behavior?

Shelter staff observe animals in a specific environment under specific conditions. Their observations are usually accurate for that setting, but an animal may behave differently in your home. Ask staff to be specific about what they have actually seen, not what they think will happen. If they say an animal is "good with kids," ask them to describe a specific interaction they witnessed.

What if the shelter does not have complete medical records?

Ask them to write down everything they do know — vaccines given at the shelter, any medications the animal is on, any health issues they observed. Take this information to your veterinarian at your first visit. Your vet can run tests to fill in gaps and establish a baseline for the animal's health going forward.

Can I ask to spend time with the animal before adopting?

Most shelters allow this. Ask whether you can take the animal for a walk, sit in a quiet room with it, or visit multiple times before deciding. Some shelters offer a trial period where you take the animal home for a few days before finalizing the adoption. This gives you a real sense of how the animal behaves outside the shelter.

What should I do if the shelter cannot answer my questions?

Ask them to connect you with the staff member or volunteer who has spent the most time with the animal. If the shelter is very busy or understaffed, ask whether you can call back or email with follow-up questions. If the shelter will not provide information or seems evasive, that is a sign to reconsider the adoption.

Is it okay to ask about the animal's past behavior problems?

Yes. Ask directly whether the animal has ever bitten, snapped, or lunged, and what the circumstances were. Ask whether it has destroyed property, had accidents in the house, or shown aggression toward other animals. Shelters are required to disclose known dangerous behavior in most states, so they should answer honestly.