Many people want to adopt retired police dogs. However, you should know a few things before you decide to adopt one. The city or organization caring for the dog will likely have requirements for the home where the dog will live and potential adopters. If you are interested in adopting this dog, please read what the city or organization caring for him says before contacting them. Police dogs that have been in the program for a long time will have different requirements than those new to the program. The city or organization caring for the dog may ask you to provide references and other information they will be using to see if you are a good candidate. If the police department is cooperative, your name will probably be on their list of volunteers willing to care for the dog until he finds his forever home. Most of these programs only adopt individuals, not entire families.
How to Adopt a Retired Police Dog?
1. Make sure the police department is a legitimate organization.
The organization will be listed on the home page of this website, but most cities and counties will have websites for their police departments. Ask someone in your community who is knowledgeable about that city or county to make sure that the organization you want to adopt from is a legitimate one.
2. Be prepared to provide references and historical information about yourself.
Do not make things up about yourself or your past if you plan to adopt a retired police dog as a pet.
3. Be prepared to follow the organization’s guidelines.
It is essential if you are planning on contacting them directly and if you will be getting a phone call from someone in their organization that has spoken to you about your application.
4. Ask questions about how a retired police dog’s unique training and behavioral problems will fit your lifestyle.
Many of these dogs have special training that makes them ideal for use in public situations, and they are very protective of their human partners. It makes them excellent pets, but they also may pose problems if you do not think you can handle their needs in your home.
5. If you have children, make sure that the organization is willing to adopt a dog that might not be good for them.
First of all, most retired police dogs do not develop any tendency to bite children, but some do. Second, many of these dogs are working dogs and need to be around other dogs to fulfill their training. Third, many police departments restrict how many pets they allow in their households because they know that having multiple pets can cause problems with household responsibilities.
6. If possible, ask the organization if they would take in a dog that has been abused or neglected.
Many police departments keep dogs for the rest of their lives and may not be able to adopt a dog that was neglected or abused. If the organization does not have restrictions about how many dogs they will allow, this could be an option to consider.
7. Consider the individual dog’s temperament, training, and other needs.
Be sure to carefully read through the organization’s adoption guidelines to find precisely what they are looking for in their future pet. You may find that the dog you are interested in adopting is not a good fit for your home.
8. Consider the dog’s training before you take him home.
Be aware of what kind of training he has been given before you consider adopting him, and be prepared to deal with that in your home. A retired police dog trained to attack is not likely to make a good pet. In contrast, a police officer who regularly goes into dangerous situations might need a dog to work as efficiently with families as they can with criminals.
If you can meet the requirements of the police department, and if you can accept his needs in your home, then adopting a retired police dog could be an excellent way to obtain a family pet. Many retired police dogs do make excellent pets, but they also require special training, supervision, and other needs that most families may not have the resources to provide. It is essential to know what the organization is looking for before going directly to them with your application.