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Adding a pet to the family is a special day for many Arkansans. Pet ownership is high in the state, with Arkansas ranking in the top ten states with the highest pet ownership, where 69% of households have at least one pet. While it’s clear we love our furry friends in Arkansas, finding the right pet for your home and family is essential. Arkansas has many city- or county-based animal shelters and private animal rescues to help you find that perfect furry addition. Amy Schmidt, director of the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society (NEAHS) in Jonesboro, has some tips for potential pet adopters on how to find the best pet for your home in Arkansas.
First, if you want to add a pet to your home but are unsure where to start, Schmidt recommends looking no further than your local shelter. Local shelters like NEAHS in Jonesboro know their communities well, and they work hard to place as many animals as possible with loving families. Shelter workers can also give you vital information about your potential pet, like how long they’ve been with the shelter, how they get along with other animals and people, and even what they’re eating. Shelter workers don’t just feed and water animals; they also spend time with them, observing their personalities and their quirks to understand what type of home would be best for each animal.
“Adopting from somewhere like NEAHS means that you get an animal that’s healthy, happy, and well-socialized,” Schmidt says. “Every animal deserves a loving home, so just be sure to check out anywhere you’re considering getting a pet from.
Many people are looking to add a specific breed of dog or cat to their family, and it can be tempting to check out local breeders and purchase a pet. Still, Schmidt encourages Arkansans to consider adopting first and check with local shelters. Some shelters may already have this breed available for adoption. Schmidt suggests potential adopters take it one step further and “think about why you’re wanting that particular breed. Typically, people are looking at breeds for specific personality traits they’re known for, such as intelligence, independence, etc. If you adopt from a shelter, the staff there can likely match you with a dog whose personality will work well with you and your household.” While that animal may not be the breed you thought you wanted, it may be close, or just as friendly and outgoing or calm and loyal as the breed you wanted.
Another question many ask when they’re ready to adopt a pet is whether they would adopt an adult dog or a puppy. Schmidt has an answer, especially for dogs. “Both are great! Puppies are adorable, and you can acclimate them to your schedule and your expectations; however, they’re also incredibly messy, highly energetic, and need help learning boundaries. Adult dogs may take longer to adjust to your home and your schedule; however, they likely already have experience with potty and crate training and won’t be chewing up your favorite pair of sneakers.” The same can be said for the difference between adopting adult cats and kittens. Adult cats are less likely to tear through your house and climb your legs with sharp, tiny claws. Instead, they may prefer to snuggle into your lap, in a basket of warm laundry, or anywhere else you don’t want them lying down. Kittens, of course, are fuzzy balls of energy that are fun to cuddle and play with. Pet shelters are likely to have a great selection of adults and kittens.
Sometimes, people avoid shelters out of concern for an animal’s unknown history. Parents rightfully want to be sure their children will be safe with an adopted dog, and those who already have pets want to know their newest pet will get along with the others. Schmidt acknowledges that this is an important and valid question to ask your local animal shelter when considering a new pet. “Shelters like NEAHS have staff who spend a large amount of time interacting with their dogs, observing them, and taking them on field trips for new experiences; they typically know which dogs like other dogs, kids, etc. Additionally, we encourage adopters to bring all of their household members– including furry ones– to the “meet and greet” they have with the animal they’re interested in.” Meet and greets are held in controlled environments at the shelter where the family members (furry included) can get to know each other.
Another way to find the perfect pet is to consider your lifestyle and what that means for your potential pet. “We’ve got some dogs who would like nothing better than to be couch potatoes, but we’ve got a handful who act like triathletes and need a lot of activity. Before getting a pet, ask about personality and activity level so that you can find the best fit for you and your family,” Schmidt advises. Give some thought to how much time your pet may spend in the house or yard alone and how much time you or your family can spend with the animal.
During the pandemic, people across the United States opened their homes to welcome “pandemic pets.” Since 2020, though, pet shelters have returned to full capacity. Across the country, shelters took in 6.5 million cats and dogs in 2023. Of these animals, 4.8 million were adopted into homes. In Arkansas, over 50,000 animals entered shelters in 2023, with just over 40,000 finding homes. “I don’t know of any shelter or rescue in the area that is NOT overwhelmed by the number of animals who need help. The need for folks to adopt instead of shop is incredible,” Schmidt says.
Finally, the cost of pet ownership should be considered. Many shelters offer lower fees, and some rescues have sponsored adoptions, making pet adoption more affordable than other options. Most pets adopted through Arkansas shelters and rescues come with their vaccinations, and some have been spayed or neutered before adoption. Pet adopters should plan ahead for those that haven’t, but Arkansas has some good options for low-cost spay/neuter programs. One of them is Spay Arkansas, a Northwest Arkansas non-profit organization that offers residents low-cost options for pet care. Many Humane Societies in the state also provide low-cost spay and neuter options, including NEAHS, as well as low-cost vaccinations and microchipping, an essential step in ensuring your pet can be found if it escapes your home.
Arkansas is lucky to have so many pet owners already, but for those who want to find the perfect pet, or add another, find some of Arkansas’s humane societies and animal rescues listed below. Remember to check your city or county’s website to find animal shelters near you, and if looking for a specific breed, check for an animal rescue near you that specializes in that breed, like Arkansas Weimaraner Rescue or All About Labs, who focus on rescuing and adopting out these dogs.
Northwest Arkansas
Humane Society for Animals (Rogers)
Website: https://nwahumanesocietyforanimals.org/
Best Friends Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville)
Website: https://bestfriends.org/nwa
Humane Society of the Ozarks (Fayetteville)
Website: https://hsozarks.org/
North Central Arkansas
Humane Society of North Central Arkansas (Mountain Home)
Website: https://www.humanesocietyofnca.org/
Humane Society of Marion County Arkansas (Yellville)
Website: https://hsmcpets.org/
Stone County Humane Society (Mountain View)
Website: https://www.schspets.org/
Northeast Arkansas
NEA Humane Society (Jonesboro)
Website: https://www.neahs.org
NAFA – Northeast Arkansans for Animals (Jonesboro)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/nafahelp
Central Arkansas
Humane Society of Pulaski County (Little Rock)
Website: https://warmhearts.org/
Humane Society-Searcy
Website: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/hss.ht
West Central Arkansas
Humane Society of Garland County (Lonsdale)
Website: https://hsgconline.org/
Humane Society of the Ouachitas (Mena)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/hsomena/
South Arkansas
Humane Society of Clark County (Arkadelphia)
Website: https://www.humanesocietyofclarkcounty.com/
HP Animal Alliance (Magnolia)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/HPAnimalAlliance/
Photos of adoptable pets are courtesy of NEAHS and used with permission.
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