Instructions
Visit the Humane Society of Missouri, Macklind Avenue Headquarters Center to see which pets are available for adoption. Before you go to the center, you can look at pictures of available animals online via the website (hsmo.org). Ask the shelter personnel questions about the pets you want to know more about or are interested in adopting. The shelter offers pets of all ages, breeds and species, including cats, dogs, rabbits, horses and donkeys. All dogs and cats adopted out by the shelter are spayed and neutered before release, as Missouri law requires.
Read the classified section of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (stltoday.com). Search for available pets under the "Pets &Animals" category to see ads posted by both breeders and others for pets you can purchase or adopt. Prices for these pets vary, with purebred pets costing more than other types of pets. Set up an appointment to meet the pet and observe the conditions it has been kept in.
Contact a breeder specific to the type of pet you wish to adopt. Visit the Animal Network website (animalnetwork.com) to view information on different types of pets including cats, dogs, fish, reptiles, horses and a variety of small animals. After you decide on the type of pet you wish to get, look through the "Animal Network Classifieds" listed on the website, which are listed by the type of pet. Look at the listings for breeders in Missouri and contact each breeder by phone to set up a meeting.
Find a veterinarian in the St. Louis area by visiting the Veterinarians.com website, if you do not have a local veterinarian already. Contact the veterinarian's office to see if the doctors there work with any local rescue organizations or offer adoptions at the office itself. If the office has any pets up for adoption, ask about what the adoption fees include in terms of medical care for the pet.
Visit the Petfinder website (petfinder.com) to search for local animal welfare groups in St. Louis. Many of these groups work with specific types of animals and breeds, so determine which type of pet you wish to adopt before contacting any of the groups.
How to Find a Pet in St. Louis
Getting a new pet is a big decision because pets require care, feeding, medical visits and a serious commitment for up to 10 years or more. Discuss this decision with others in your household to ensure that everyone approves of the decision and can handle caring for the pet. After you and your family have decided to get a pet to add to your home, find that pet in St. Louis, Missouri.