Instructions
Decide on what you're looking for in a dog. Before adopting a dog, it is important that you and everyone else who will be involved in its care agree on what you're looking for. Do your homework on breeds so that you know how much grooming and maintenance some breeds require, how much exercise they require and how likely they are to develop health issues. Certain breeds are more prone to hereditary health problems that your family should be prepared for if you decide to adopt that breed. Before you start looking at actual dogs it is also a good idea to decide if you are looking for a puppy or an adult dog. If you aren't interested in dealing with the nipping, chewing, housebreaking and hyperactivity of a puppy, then an adult dog might be a perfect fit. Adult dogs also have lower rates of adoption since most families want to bring home a tiny puppy.
Look online at rescue dogs available for adoption locally. The Humane Society, Petfinder, ASPCA, PAWS among other websites allow you to search for rescue dogs based on dogs nearest your home. Many of them also allow you to narrow your choices down by breed, age, size and gender. There are also breed-specific rescue organizations for nearly every breed imaginable, so if you know what breed you would like, see if there is a rescue specifically for those dogs in your state. If you find a dog online that you think is a good fit, call or email the shelter listed on their adoption information page and make an appointment to meet the dog and fill out the adoption application.
Visit local pet adoption events. Animal shelters frequently have adoption events at pet stores where you can go and meet the featured dogs of the week. The environment at these events tends to be more upbeat and hopeful than visiting the actual animal shelter, plus there are fewer dogs to look at which might be less overwhelming for you and your family. If you have another dog already, bring it with you to the pet store. If you see a dog that you think might be a good fit for your family, you can introduce the two on the spot and see if they will get along.
Look at the dogs at the local animal shelters. If you have no idea what you are looking for in a dog or are interested in walking down the rows of dogs at the shelter and just seeing if you find one that seems like a good match for you, go down to the local shelter. If you aren't sure where your local animal shelters are, you can search for them online with The Humane Society, ASPCA, and AnimalShelter.org. They will pinpoint any shelters within a certain radius of your zip code and will give you the shelter's contact information. A shelter will usually not hold an animal for you, so when you call to find out when you can look for a dog, also find out any required adoption fees and documentation you need to bring with you in case you find your new pet while you are there.
How to Search for Rescue Dogs
According to the Humane Society of the United States, 3 to 4 million animals are euthanized in shelters annually. That amounts for almost half of the animals shelters take in on an annual basis. If you are thinking about getting a new dog for your family, you can personally help lessen the need for euthanasia by rescuing a dog from an animal shelter. Going in to a local animal shelter knowing that half of the dogs inside will probably be put down can be overwhelming, but fortunately, most shelters now list their adoptable animals online, allowing you to search for characteristics as specific as age, breed and special needs.