The shelter is not open to the public in the morning d ue to maintenance, cleaning and feeding. The animals are kept at the shelter awaiting reclamation by a possible owner, long enough so that obvious illness would be noticed and treated. Several local veterinarians offer a free physical exam if done within 3 days of adoption. Nobody knows how to do that. There are so many of them passing through the shelter each month that if you don't see one you like on the first visit, come back again as often as needed.
Every attempt is made to match the temperament of the animal with the needs of the adopting family.
An animal that might be ideal for adults might not be suitable for a family with children. They have spent their first few weeks or months in loving homes and are docile, gentle animals totally suitable for adoption, but have become a few weeks older than the age of maximum cuteness that people consider when adopting. Of course the extra weeks of age often makes them smarter and easier to train. The shelter attendants are animal-loving people, eager to help you find a nice pet. They will be honest with you and will try to direct you away from animals that might not be right for you.