Instructions
Locate a local dog pound or dog shelter. They are often called public animal shelters, but some older establishments are still called pounds.
Call the establishment and ask about its policies on adoption and rescue and what the costs are. Inquire about vaccinations, spaying or neutering, what local laws that you must know about, and any other questions you have. Take notes about any procedures that you will have to follow to be qualified.
Make an appointment with the shelter to come and visit the pets. Some shelters have limited visiting hours, but many allow adopters to come by at any time the shelter is open.
Visit the shelter and look at the pets. Ask questions of the volunteers to find out more about pets that you are interested in rescuing. Shelters cannot make guarantees, but they can give you insight on the personalities of each individual pet.
Interact with the pet you have chosen to make sure that it will not be dangerous or ill-tempered around you or members of your family.
Fill out the paperwork and ask any last-minute questions that you might have. Usually, shelters have a no-return policy, so make sure that you are content with the pet.
How to Rescue Pets
Rescuing a pet from an animal shelter is a big responsibility. Not only will you be responsible for rehabilitating the animal from whatever life it came from and the trauma that it might have gone through, you will have to make sure that it is healthy, fit and feels safe in order to restore a sense of balance to its life. Rescuing a pet is not that difficult, but it does require following the shelter's procedures.