Petfinder seems to be the place to go online in Raleigh to search for adoptable rescue dogs. Some of the rescues and shelters have their own websites, but their websites are not as functional nor as comprehensive.
I have been casually browsing dogs for adoption ever since Snickers died. This week, I made the decision to find a second dog to join my family, so I took action. I have submitted applications to 3 local rescue organizations who currently have dogs that meet my criteria. I have an appointment with one this week and am waiting for “pre-approval” from the other two. All in, there are about 10 potential candidates for me to see.
Online, the dogs seems fine. Their pictures and short bios make them all seem like good candidates. So I have stopped looking at any other new dogs that pop-up online, unless they are at one of these 3 organizations.
I’m not going to play the “online dating game” where you constantly look for someone better, just in case. Three rescue organizations and 10 dogs is plenty. My hope is that I connect with one of the first few dogs I see, adopt it, and cancel any other appointments. That’s how it worked with Wiggles back in 2020. With Snickers back in 2009, I visited 4 different shelters (that were all full of pit bulls) before finding her at a small dog rescue. As soon as we saw her, we decided to adopt her.
I also realize that these organizations are all staffed by volunteers whose mission is to find good permanent homes for the dogs as quickly as possible. So I’m not setting my heart on any particular dog because it could be gone before I see it. Or, I could meet it and not “click”. Or, I could talk to the adoption counselor and determine the dog wouldn’t be a good fit for me and Wiggles.
As much as I love technology and the ease of using it for things like filtering dogs (and women on dating apps), real life is different.
I won’t waste my time, nor anyone else by obsessing over dog profiles or sending pictures of “cute dogs” to my friends. They don’t care at all about my “potential dogs”. Once I have one, one picture will suffice for them to feign interest.
Some things (maybe most) are best done in person.
*For what it’s worth, I have found online dog searching to be pretty effective. Online dating, not so much for me.