Every year thousands of service dogs are retired for a variety of reasons. These reasons range from medical disabilities such as allergies or injuries, to behavioral qualities that prevent the dog from fitting in with his new lifestyle. If you are ready for a new companion, consider adopting a service dog who is ready for a great home like yours.
Instructions
Research the breed of service dog you are most interested in adopting. Learn about its characteristics, temperament, life expectancy and potential health problems. The most common breeds of service dogs are Golden and Labrador Retrievers or German Shepherds. Other breeds include Boxers, Dalmatian, Australian Shepherds, even Standard Poodles.
Contact a service dog organization near you. These organizations will be able to tell you where to find a dog for adoption or even place you on a list to adopt, as well as answer any lingering questions you may have about the adoption process. Check out some of the resources with this article to help you find an adoption organization.
Begin the adoption process. This process varies according to the organization placing the dogs up for adoption. You might be required to interview with the organization, provide references, or have a member of the organization visit your home. This is all to ensure that you and your home will make a good home for a service dog.
Be prepared to wait. When a service dog goes up for adoption, trainers and handlers of service dogs often get first choice on whether to adopt that dog. After that, there may be a waiting list of other families who wish to adopt a service dog. These lists may be several years long, and if you are at the end you could have a long wait ahead.
Check out your local animal shelters for retired service dogs. From time to time these special dogs find their way to a shelter, and in this case you could take it home right away with no waiting list.