Adopting a Bulldog from a shelter is a rewarding experience for dog owners. You are not only gaining a new furry family member but you are also rescuing a sweet, kind Bulldog from a lonely life at a shelter. Once you are confident that a Bulldog is the perfect match for you and your family, you will want to begin your search at various shelters. The following details will guide you to finding the Bulldog of your dreams and truly making a difference in a dog’s life.

·        Search for Shelters: Begin your journey by searching online or within your community for local shelters. Contact the shelters or check on their websites for the times and dates they are open and you are able to view the available dogs. And Google local Bulldog-specific shelters or fostering agencies to see if they can help match you with a bully in need.

·        Make a Request: Contact the various shelters and ask them if they have any Bulldogs available for adoption. If there are not any available at the time, ask to be placed on a wait list or offer your name and phone number so they can contact you if one arrives.

·        Visit the Shelters: Chances are you will have a variety of choices and each available Bulldog might be located at different shelters in your community. Make a schedule to visit each shelter and meet each Bulldog. Take a notebook along with you to take notes about the shelter, the staff and the specific Bulldog.

·        Meet the Bulldog: Arrive on time for your appointment to meet the available Bulldogs at the shelters or foster home. Keep in mind that you are looking for any unusual health ailments such as excessive discharge from the eyes, odor from the ears, missing patches of hair, limping or favoring a limb and odd behavior. While some dogs may be shy due to living in the shelter, they should quickly warm up to you after spending one-on-one time together. Ask the staff to take the Bulldog of your choice for a walk or to a private area where you can play fetch and bond.

·        Make Your Decision: Discuss any issues you may have with the shelter staff regarding the Bulldog. For example, if you noticed a health ailment, discuss if it is a long term physical condition or if it is easy to maintain or possibly curable. Once you make your final decision alert the shelter staff that you are interested in going forward with the adoption.

·        The Adoption Process: Shelters have generally the same adoption process. You choose the dog you have bonded with and want to welcome into your family then fill out papers that asks for a variety of information, you speak with the shelter staff, you receive approval of the adoption and you pay the required fee. Some shelters may vary in their process and may require an in depth interview. Dog owners will want to be patient throughout the entire adoption process and provide honest answers at all times.

Some potential dog owners shy away from shelters. In reality, you should seek out these shelters since you are literally saving a dog’s life by adopting them from these types of shelters. You will be surprised at how many healthy, happy, full breed Bulldogs are found at your local shelters. Make some-bully happy – add a Bulldog to your pack! 

Photo credit: Robert McNicholas/Flickr