@ILYSM_2

🐶 200 STEPS TO ADOPT A PUPPY 1. Decide that you want a puppy. 2. Realize puppies are adorable. 3. Realize puppies are also a LOT of work. 4. Talk to your parent/guardian. 5. Explain why you want a puppy. 6. Listen to what they think. 7. Talk about whether your family can care for one. 8. Consider how much time a puppy needs. 9. Consider who will feed the puppy. 10. Consider who will walk the puppy. 11. Consider who will clean up after the puppy. 12. Consider who will train the puppy. 13. Consider where the puppy will sleep. 14. Consider whether pets are allowed where you live. 15. Talk about the household budget. 16. Remember that puppies need food. 17. Puppies need veterinary care. 18. Puppies need supplies. 19. Puppies need training. 20. Puppies need attention. 21. Puppies need exercise. 22. Puppies need patience. 23. Puppies need love. 24. Decide whether your family is ready. 25. If everyone agrees, celebrate. 26. Start researching shelters and rescues. 27. Look at nearby adoption organizations. 28. Ask your parent/guardian to help. 29. Browse available puppies. 30. Resist immediately choosing the first cute face. 31. Look at the puppy’s age. 32. Look at the puppy’s size. 33. Look at the puppy’s temperament. 34. Read the adoption information. 35. Check whether the puppy has been vaccinated. 36. Check whether the puppy has received veterinary care. 37. Ask about its history when available. 38. Ask what it eats. 39. Ask what its routine is. 40. Ask whether it has been around children. 41. Ask whether it has been around other dogs. 42. Ask whether it has been around cats. 43. Think about your household. 44. Think about your schedule. 45. Think about school. 46. Think about weekends. 47. Think about vacations. 48. Think about who will care for the puppy when you’re away. 49. Make sure everyone agrees. 50. HALFWAY TO THE FIRST 100. 😭 51. Choose a few puppies that seem like good fits. 52. Don’t choose based only on appearance. 53. Temperament matters. 54. Energy level matters. 55. Size matters. 56. Age matters. 57. Your family’s lifestyle matters. 58. Ask questions. 59. Lots of questions. 60. Even more questions. 61. Contact the shelter or rescue. 62. Ask about their adoption process. 63. Ask what paperwork is required. 64. Ask whether an application is required. 65. Ask whether everyone in the household needs to meet the puppy. 66. Ask whether there are adoption fees. 67. Ask what those fees include. 68. Schedule a visit if appropriate. 69. Get your parent/guardian involved. 70. Prepare to meet the puppy. 71. Don’t get too excited. 72. Okay, you’re probably already excited. 73. Walk into the shelter. 74. Try not to immediately squeal. 75. See the puppies. 76. Become emotionally attached immediately. 77. Take a breath. 78. Meet the puppy calmly. 79. Let the puppy approach you. 80. Observe its behavior. 81. See how it reacts to people. 82. Ask the staff about its personality. 83. Ask about its energy level. 84. Ask about its habits. 85. Ask about its training. 86. Ask about its medical history. 87. Ask about vaccinations. 88. Ask about parasite prevention. 89. Ask about spay/neuter status. 90. Ask what veterinary care is still needed. 91. Ask about its food. 92. Ask about its sleep schedule. 93. Ask about potty training. 94. Ask about crate training. 95. Ask about socialization. 96. Ask about known fears. 97. Ask about known behaviors. 98. Ask about anything important to know. 99. Talk everything over with your family. 100. CONGRATULATIONS: YOU’VE REACHED 100. 🐶 101. Think carefully before deciding. 102. Don’t feel pressured. 103. Make sure the puppy is a good fit. 104. Make sure your family can handle the responsibility. 105. If it isn’t the right puppy, that’s okay. 106. There will be other puppies. 107. If it is the right puppy, tell the shelter staff. 108. Complete the required application. 109. Provide accurate information. 110. Have your parent/guardian complete anything they need to. 111. Wait for approval if required. 112. Ask when you can bring the puppy home. 113. Prepare your home before pickup. 114. Puppy-proof the house. 115. Pick up small objects. 116. Move unsafe items out of reach. 117. Secure electrical cords. 118. Check plants for pet safety. 119. Keep cleaning products away. 120. Keep medications away. 121. Secure trash cans. 122. Check doors and gates. 123. Make sure windows are secure. 124. Decide where the puppy will spend most of its time. 125. Choose a sleeping area. 126. Choose a feeding area. 127. Choose a potty-training area outside. 128. Decide where toys will go. 129. Decide where food will go. 130. Buy puppy food recommended by the shelter/vet. 131. Get food and water bowls. 132. Get a collar. 133. Get identification information. 134. Get a properly fitted harness if recommended. 135. Get a leash. 136. Get age-appropriate toys. 137. Get a comfortable bed. 138. Get puppy-safe cleaning supplies. 139. Get poop bags. 140. Get a crate if your family plans to crate-train. 141. Prepare the crate comfortably. 142. Don’t use the crate as punishment. 143. Find a veterinarian. 144. Schedule the puppy’s first appointment. 145. Ask the vet what vaccines are still needed. 146. Ask about preventive care. 147. Ask about nutrition. 148. Ask about training. 149. Ask about anything your family is unsure about. 150. FIFTY STEPS LEFT. 😭 151. Pick a name. 152. Make a shortlist. 153. Say the names out loud. 154. See which one sounds natural. 155. Pick the winner. 156. Prepare everyone for pickup day. 157. Bring the necessary paperwork. 158. Bring whatever the shelter requires. 159. Bring a safe way to transport the puppy. 160. Have an adult handle the transportation. 161. Arrive at the shelter. 162. Meet your puppy again. 163. Complete the final paperwork. 164. Pay any required adoption fee. 165. Ask for the puppy’s records. 166. Ask what food it has been eating. 167. Ask when it last ate. 168. Ask when it last went potty. 169. Ask when it last received medication, if applicable. 170. Ask what routine it is used to. 171. Say goodbye to the shelter staff. 172. Carefully bring your puppy home. 173. Keep the trip calm. 174. Arrive home. 175. Give the puppy time to adjust. 176. Show it its designated area. 177. Show it the water. 178. Show it its food. 179. Show it its sleeping area. 180. Let it explore safely. 181. Don’t overwhelm it with visitors. 182. Keep the first day calm. 183. Follow the shelter’s feeding instructions. 184. Follow the veterinarian’s advice. 185. Start establishing a routine. 186. Begin gentle potty training. 187. Begin age-appropriate training. 188. Reward good behavior. 189. Be patient with mistakes. 190. Give the puppy appropriate playtime. 191. Give the puppy plenty of rest. 192. Keep dangerous things away. 193. Continue veterinary care. 194. Continue socialization appropriately. 195. Keep training consistent. 196. Give the puppy lots of affection. 197. Remember that puppies don’t become perfect overnight. 198. Give your puppy time to learn. 199. Become best friends. 200. CONGRATULATIONS — YOU HAVE OFFICIALLY STARTED YOUR PUPPY-ADOPTION ADVENTURE. 🐶❤️