All Of It – What It Means To Take In A Shelter Rescue Pet

Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Aurora Velasquez, Regional Director, Best Friends Animal Society (East Region)
Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In recognition of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, this episode of All Of It focuses on the significance and joys of adopting shelter rescue pets. Host Alison Stewart, joined by Aurora Velasquez from Best Friends Animal Society, explores the realities of shelter dog adoption, dispels common misconceptions, shares practical tips for prospective pet owners, and amplifies thoughtful listener stories and questions. The episode encourages a holistic, community-minded approach to compassionately saving and caring for animals in need.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Purpose of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

• Highlighting Shelter Pets: Raises awareness of the many incredible dogs waiting for homes in shelters nationwide.
  • "There are thousands and thousands of really incredible dogs waiting for homes and shelters every day across the country." – Aurora Velasquez [02:39]
• Current Stats: 2.5 million dogs entered U.S. shelters in 2024.

2. How to Approach Adoption

• Self-Reflection: Prospective adopters should consider their lifestyle and what they seek in a pet.
• Open-Mindedness: Sometimes the perfect pet is not what you initially expect.
  • "The right package might look a little bit different than what you imagine." – Aurora Velasquez [03:13]
• Lifestyle fit: Activity level and household dynamics matter when matching with a pet.

3. Assessing Readiness and Commitment

• Responsibility: Ensure you have support systems for emergencies, travel, and daily care.
  • "It's just thinking about all of those things that happen every day in life, planned and unplanned, and making sure that there's space in that picture for a pet." – Aurora Velasquez [03:54]
• Contingency planning: Reliable backup care is essential.

4. Fostering as a Stepping Stone

• Benefits of Fostering:
  • Eases dogs' stress by removing them from shelters.
  • Provides a "test run" for adopters who are unsure about long-term commitment.
• "Fostering is great. It's a great way for folks to get involved who are maybe not sure if they're ready to make the full commitment to adoption." – Aurora Velasquez [04:41]

5. Caller Stories and Advice

• Liz (Smithtown): Multiple shelter dogs, engaged in obedience and agility—dogs thrive in active, loving homes. [05:19]
• Jenna (East Northport): Lifelong shelter dog advocate urging against buying from pet shops due to puppy mill connections.
  • "Never, never, never go to a pet shop. Only go to a reputable shelter." – Jenna [06:16]
• Daisy (Upper West Side): Overcoming initial doubts about behavior ratings to find a loving, supportive companion. [10:54]
• Charlie (Vermont): Training rescue dogs is key to their thriving and household harmony. [12:53]
• Janet (Pinebush): Adopted a roadside puppy; emphasizes the lifelong bond and transformative impact of rescue. [16:40]
• Tarika (Montclair): Volunteering at open-intake shelters, advocates for patience via the “3-3-3 rule.” [18:40]
  • "There's this three, three, three rule... three days to decompress, three weeks to find their bearings, and three months to really fit into your routine." – Tarika [19:27]

6. Myths & Misconceptions About Shelter Dogs

• Common Belief: Dogs are in shelters because something is wrong with them.
• Reality: Most dogs are surrendered due to owner life changes—loss of housing, finances, etc.
  • "There are really incredible dogs in every single shelter... They’re just really incredible dogs that just happen to not have a home." – Aurora Velasquez [07:54]

7. The Adoption Process

• Conversation-Based Approach: Focus is on matching pets to adopters through open dialogue, not rigid checklists.
• Experience Over Profile: In-person meetings often lead to more natural, successful matches.
  • "It's really an almost organic approach, a little bit of a holistic approach to see where are these matches... who's going to click and what new families can we create?" – Aurora Velasquez [08:45]

8. Barriers and Challenges in Adopting

• Variable Requirements: Some organizations impose strict requirements like fenced yards.
• Advice: Seek out "low-barrier" organizations or those whose adoption ethos matches your own.
  • "It's really just about finding the organization that has an approach, maybe has an ethos that resonates with you..." – Aurora Velasquez [15:07]

9. The Stakes: What Happens If Dogs Aren't Adopted?

• Progress Toward No-Kill: Two-thirds of shelters are now no-kill. More adoptions can eliminate euthanasia.
  • "If just 6% of [new dog-acquiring households] adopted, the entire country would be no kill." – Aurora Velasquez [10:12]
• Time in Shelter: Average is 3-4 weeks, but this is a significant and stressful wait for the animals. [09:35]

10. Practical Adoption Tips

• Visit in Person: Online listings are helpful for browsing but may lag behind real-time shelter activity.
  • "There’s always going to be a delay between what is viewable on the website and what's happening in the shelter." – Aurora Velasquez [20:25]
• Patience and Adjustment: The “3-3-3 rule” for shelter dogs’ adjustment.

11. Community Resources & Events

• Events:
  • Muddy Paws block party (Hell’s Kitchen)
  • Adoption pop-ups (24th & 25th) with local partners
• Best Friends Animal Society:
  • Website: bestfriends.org/nyc
  • Adoption center in Soho
  • Pet Life Saving Dashboard for locating shelters by region [16:28]

Notable Quotes

• “The pure love, joy, unconditional that they give you is the best in the world.” — Jenna (Listener), [06:46]
• “You can do so much good and take some harm out of the world by... taking into your household a creature that needs refuge and kindness.” — Janet (Listener), [18:13]
• “You have to give them time... There’s this three, three, three rule.” — Tarika (Listener/Volunteer), [19:27]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:37] National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month explained
• [03:10] Where to start when considering adoption
• [04:41] The value of fostering pets
• [07:54] Misconceptions about shelter dogs
• [09:35] Average time spent in shelters by dogs
• [10:12] The no-kill movement and adoption impact
• [13:35] Caller concern: high adoption requirements
• [15:07] Navigating adoption barriers
• [18:40] Volunteer perspective on fostering and 3-3-3 rule
• [20:25] Considerations when using shelter pet websites

Memorable Moments

• Daisy’s Story: Overcoming misgivings about a “difficult” dog to find a perfect family pet. [10:54–12:41]
• Tarika’s “3-3-3 Rule”: A simple, compassionate guideline for giving adopted shelter dogs the time they need to acclimate. [19:27]
• Listener Advocacy: Multiple callers stress the life-changing bonds and emotional support gained from shelter dogs, as well as their role in “taking some harm out of the world.”

Conclusion & Resources

Aurora Velasquez and Alison Stewart underscore the transformative capacity of shelter dog adoption—for pets and people alike. To prospective owners: be open, be patient, and seek the resources and community that best support your journey. The show closes with practical information on local events, organizational resources, and a callback to the joy—and impact—of opening your home to an animal in need.

More Information:

• Find adoptable pets and resources: bestfriends.org/nyc
• Share your shelter dog photos: Instagram @olivetwnyc

(Non-content segments, such as advertisements and show credits, are omitted from this summary.)