How to tackle the challenges and enjoy the rewards of adopting a pet Twenty percent of all pets in the U.S. are adopted. By adopting a pet, people often save the life of the dog or cat they bring home-and gain a devoted friend for life. But adoptions can come with their own difficulties, especially if the pet is older or suffered from abuse. This fun and easy guide helps prospective adopters prepare for challenges (starting with the complicated application process that many shelters and rescue organizations require), select an appropriate animal, and begin a wonderful new life together. Focusing chiefly on dogs and cats but also covering other adoptable animals, the book discusses feeding, supplies, health care, housetraining, basic obedience, solutions to behavior problems, and the special needs of older and abused animals. Eve Adamson (Iowa City, IA), the owner of two adopted mixed-breed terriers, is an award-winning pet writer and the author or coauthor of over 30 books, including Labrador Retrievers For Dummies (0-7645-5281-3) and Dachshunds For Dummies (0-7645-5289-9). She is a contributing editor for Dog Fancy magazine and also writes for Cat Fancy, the AKC Gazette, and other pet publications.