Dog adoption is a beautiful thing. There are millions of pets in shelters and rescues waiting for forever homes. Adopting a dog can help homeless animals and set an excellent example for others.
Dog adoption isn’t suitable for everyone, and it’s not something you should get into lightly. Getting a dog is an important decision that will affect your life for many years. If you’ve decided dog adoption is for you, this is excellent news!
Bringing an adopted dog into your home should be a rewarding experience for you and your family. Before looking for your future best friend, arm yourself with the knowledge to navigate the world of dog adoption and make the best possible decision.
We’ve compiled a list of the top Kansas City area dog rescue & shelters with an adoption guide.
Top 5 Dog Rescues in Kansas City area & Shelters
Adoption is an alternative that benefits everyone when it comes to acquiring a pet: the family, animal protection entities, and, of course, the dog itself
Shelters across the country house approximately eight million companion animals each year. Yet, nearly 50% of them are euthanized due to the shelter’s lack of resources.
1) Wayside Waifs
Wayside Waifs Information and Details:
- Mailing Address: 3901 Martha Truman Rd, Kansas City, MO 64137, United States
- Website: https://waysidewaifs.org/
- Phone: (816) 761-8151
2) KC Pet Project at KCCAC
KC Pet Project is a 501c3, nonprofit charitable organization operating the KC Campus for Animal Care, Kansas City, Missouri’s, Animal Shelter. They care for more than 10,000 animals a year and now have 14 locations in Missouri and Kansas to adopt out pets. They focus on progressive programs to help people keep their pets through Lost and Found services, their Keep ‘Em Together, KC program, and pet safety initiatives like microchipping, pet identification, and more.
KC Pet Project also performs all animal control operations for Kansas City, MO, through their Animal Services Division.
KC Pet Project at KCCAC Information and Details:
- Address: 7077 Elmwood Ave, Kansas City, MO 64132, United States
- Website: https://kcpetproject.org/
- Phone: (816) 683-1383
3) Friends of Parkville Animal
Founded in 1999 by a group of concerned citizens, FOPAS’s primary mission is to humanely house, care for, provide medical treatment for, and find permanent homes for the abandoned and stray dogs and cats from Platte, Clay and, to some extent, surrounding counties which have come under their care.
The work of the organization is carried out almost exclusively by dedicated volunteers and is financed through donations and fund raising events. FOPAS believes that their entire community is benefited by the compassion and humanity shown in caring for animals which have been discarded. The animals cannot speak for themselves, so hopefully FOPAS speaks and acts for them. FOPAS is a 501(c)(3) organization.
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Friends of Parkville Animal Information and Details:
- Address: 1356 NW, MO-9, Parkville, MO 64152, United States
- Website: https://www.parkvilleshelter.com/
- Phone: (816) 587-0918
4) Midwest Animal ResQ
Midwest Animal ResQ (MARQ) was founded in 2009 as a small foster-based rescue group focused on saving dogs from inhumane conditions at local large scale breeding facilities. With the help of dedicated supporters and volunteers, MARQ has grown into a multifaceted group in a short period of time. While they are still very passionate about retired breeding dogs, their scope has increased along with their capacity to serve the animals of the greater Kansas City area. Their adoption center in Raytown, MO opened in 2015, and their sanctuary property on 6 acres provides safe housing for animals needing special medical or behavioral help prior to going to their forever homes. MARQ’s fantastic network of fosters open their hearts and homes to animals in need until a forever home can be found.
They are passionate about pets of course, but are also passionate about people and making sure their experience with them is just as wonderful as the new family member they are adopting. Their mission statement is “Completing families one tail at a time” and, their focus is taking the time to get to know their pets and their customers so they can make a perfect match! All of their adult animals go on a 2 week trial adoption to make sure everyone is happy in the new home, and their commitment to each animal is lifelong.
Midwest Animal ResQ Information and Details:
- Address: 10312 E 63rd St, Raytown, MO 64133, United States
- Website: https://www.midwestanimalresq.org/
- Phone: (816) 919-1364
5) Friends of KC Animals
Friends of KC Animals Board has decided to disband and focus, as individuals, on supporting other local groups who do similar work in their community.
When their charity began years ago, there were no other organizations in Kansas City assisting struggling pet owners like they have, in an effort to not only help in providing compassionate care for pets in need, but to keep loved animals with loving owners. Now, fortunately, there are several. As theirs has always been, these groups are also intensely focused on spaying and neutering, (as it’s the best way to decrease pet homelessness).
They are tremendously grateful to all of the compassionate individuals who have appreciated their organization and who have donated to and volunteered with them, supporting their efforts over the years. They are pleased that Friends of KC Animals has been a solution for many thousands of pets and has been a successful advocate for countless animals in need. It’s difficult, but as they tie things up, they know the other groups will continue their efforts while they work on other ways to help the cause.
Friends of KC Animals Information and Details:
- Address: 4741 Central St, Kansas City, MO 64112, United States
- Website: http://friendsofkcanimals.com/
Dog Rescue & Shelter Online
We hope that one of the shelters listed above can help you find your future dog, but if for some reason that doesn’t happen you can always opt for different alternatives.
For this reason, we’ve added these alternative platforms. These platforms will help you connect with people who have dogs for sale or adoption near you. It can be a great alternative in looking for your future pup within the comfort of your home.
AKC Market Place
Finding trustworthy dog breeders, groomers, and trainers can be challenging. AKC Marketplace is your trusted resource to help make a lifetime of responsible dog ownership safe, happy, and healthy.
AKC Marketplace® is the only website that exclusively lists puppies from AKC-Registered litters, so you can choose a breeder with confidence.
Adopt A Pet
If you want to give an abandoned puppy a second chance, a shelter is definitely the place to find a dog.
Adopt a pet is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website. They help over 21,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to millions of adopters a month, for free.
Puppies for sale Today
Puppies Today has over a decade of experience, established in 2008. They pride themselves on connecting loving families with new furry friends and have happy customers all over the nation. They provide all of their customer’s puppy payment plans and health guarantees to ensure the best experience and peace of mind when adopting a puppy through their service.
Check Out Our Dog Breeders Page :
DOG BREEDERS NEAR ME | PUPPIES FOR SALE
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Generally, it will cost around $50 to $150 for a dog – and because typically shelters and rescuers give pets medical treatment, you’ll save money on a medical examination; you’ll also likely save on spay or neuter surgery, which can cost around $50 to $300.
Aside from the puppy’s price, it would be best to consider the expenses that would come with it. For instance, you may want to get the essential things for your puppies like grooming tools, food, and shelter.
What kind of dog should you adopt?
If you have decided to adopt a dog, you may want a mixed breed dog. Or, you can have your heart set on a specific dog breed. It is possible to adopt purebred dogs from shelters and rescues if you plan ahead. However, if you’re not set on a particular breed, you should still have an idea of the type of dog you want.
Consider age, size, care needs, health concerns, and activity level. Have your wishes in mind before you go looking. Better yet, create a list of dog characteristics that is divided into three areas:
- What do you absolutely need in a dog: Do you have children, cats, or other dogs? The dog you adopt must be able to get along well with everyone in your home. Are you in an apartment or small house and need a small dog? Are you allergic to certain types of dogs and need a hypoallergenic breed? These are just some of the things to consider.
- What you would like in a dog but can live without: Maybe you have a soft spot for a specific breed but will be happy with a mix of that breed. Maybe you want a dog with short hair, but don’t worry about a little extra grooming if you meet a big long-haired dog.
- What is not acceptable to you: these are dealbreakers. What qualities would prevent you from even considering a certain dog? Dimension? Temperament? Maybe you have a fear or dislike for a certain dog breed. Perhaps you are renting out your home and have to meet specific rental requirements.
Write everything down and take the list with you. That way, when you go out and see all those cute faces, you will know where to start.
When not to adopt a dog
It is best to avoid adopting a dog in the following circumstances:
- You are in the process of moving
- You are remodeling or repairing your home
- You are about to have a baby (it is usually best to have the baby and let life stabilize a bit before introducing a new dog)
- It’s the holiday season ( dogs aren’t meant to be gifts and holidays are usually too hectic for a new dog)
- You or someone in your family is going through other major life events (the new dog may be lost in the shuffle or be overwhelmed by chaos)
The Dog Adoption Process
Well done! You have found your new dog. Now is the time for formalities. Most organizations require an application before they can adopt. This is to prevent pets from falling into the wrong hands. While it may sound like an interrogation, these groups have policies in place for a reason. Fortunately, many people have no problem getting approval.
Some groups require a waiting period before bringing your new dog home, possibly due to a medical procedure that has been done. Some dogs may have a waiting list, so ask questions beforehand.
Find out what the adoption fee includes (vaccines, spay/neuter, etc.). Before signing the contract, learn what you expect from yourself and what the group will do to help you. If the dog is too young to be spayed or neutered, the contract will require it to do so in the future. Also, find out what happens if you can’t keep the dog.
Most organizations ask you to return the dog to them if you can no longer care for it (don’t give it away to someone else). Find out what is known about the dog’s history and what health problems, if any, were noted while the dog was in their care.
Final Thoughts
Remember, it can take a long time for a dog to adjust to a new home. You and your family will need time to adjust. You may notice that your new dog has behavioral problems, fears, phobias, or lacks training. If the adaptation period is long and complex, it’s a good idea to seek the assistance of a dog trainer or behaviorist.
You may need to consult more than one. Be patient and follow the advice of the experts. If you feel that you have genuinely exhausted your options, you may decide to give up on your new dog.
Remember to try to get your dog back to the place of adoption first. If this is not an option, you need to be responsible and find a good home for your dog. I hope you never have to be in this situation.
