Be prepared to answer a long questionnaire regarding your family, lifestyle, living arrangements, schedule, etc. You will often need to provide references. The rescue organizations may request to talk to your landlord. Most rescue organizations will not place a pet in the home of undergraduate students, or anyone else without a permanent address. In addition to determining if you will be a good placement in general, your answers to the questionnaire will also help the rescue organization make the best match between you and the animals who are available.
Rescue organizations are very careful when placing a pet.
Be thankful they are as thorough as they are. In almost all cases, you will need to pay an adoption fee for your pet. This will usually be more than the fee you would pay at an animal shelter, but less than the cost of a pet purchased from a breeder. This fee will reimburse the rescue organization for the customary veterinary services, pet food, cost of phone calls and travel, etc. This is a general fee and may not reflect the actual cost incurred by the organization for taking care of your new pet.