Nashville Animal Shelters

Millions of animals are homeless, hungry, or euthanized across the country each year. But thanks to devoted animal shelters like these three in Nashville, many pets are saved and find loving homes. One such Nashville animal shelter rescued a pregnant dog after she was put out of a vehicle on the side of a road to fend for herself. After medical care, a foster family was located for the mother dog and her 10 puppies. All were lovingly cared for until the pups were weaned, socialized, and ready for adoption. Thanks to that Nashville animal shelter, two sisters from that litter have a happy and loving home as part of my family.

It’s not always expensive to adopt pets through a reputable animal shelter. But it is a serious commitment that requires much thought and careful planning. Animal shelters don’t want their adopted animals to end up homeless again. So expect and appreciate that these Nashville shelters want to be sure you will be a good fit for their displaced animals.

Not all Nashville animal shelters have brick and mortar facilities, but instead have devoted foster families that dedicate their time, love and money to care for the animals until they’re adopted. That’s true devotion and that’s the type of commitment and love you can expect from these Nashville animal shelters.

Nashville Humane Association

This animal shelter is a private non-profit organization that has a long history in Nashville. It started in the 1800s to protect working horses from mistreatment, as well as children from inhumane working conditions. The focus today is on finding animals forever homes and educating the public on the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

Nashville Humane Association requires an adoption application and provides counseling to help you choose the pet that’s best for you and your family. The adoption fees vary with the breed, age and size of the pet, but the price always includes spaying or neutering the animal. It also includes a veterinary examination and the first series of vaccinations.

Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue

This Nashville animal shelter is a true no-kill organization that goes above and beyond to save animals in every way possible, including some that otherwise would be euthanized due to sickness or injury. Proverbs doesn’t have a building but exists strictly with the help of volunteers who lovingly care for, rehabilitate, socialize and train foster animals in their homes. The volunteers also maintain the website for Proverbs 12:10 and it’s here you’ll find a current list of adoptable animals, including photos. You’ll also find information concerning the adoption process and you can fill out the adoption form online.

The volunteer foster families bring the animals to the Bellvue Petco store each Saturday where you can visit the animal you’re interested in adopting. Proverbs works closely with the Nashville Humane Association. The NHA provides a discounted cost for vaccinations, spays and neuters, which is included in Proverbs adoption fee. This animal shelter is dedicated to the animals in their care. In fact, they’re so dedicated that they make a lifetime commitment to them. As their adoption contract clearly states, if for any reason the animals can no longer be cared for by the adopters, they will take the animals back into their care.

Agape Animal Rescue

Agape is another no-kill animal rescue group that runs on volunteer power. This organization relies on foster homes until forever homes are found for the dogs and cats in their care. And forever homes is the focus of this award winning animal shelter. Readers of Nashville Paws Magazine voted Agape the “#1 Best Rescue” and “#1 Best All-Breed Rescue” in 2010. The founders of this shelter are devoted to providing the best care for the animals, including medical care. For this reason, they’re limited in the number of animals they can rescue at any given time.

Agape’s website has plenty of helpful information if you’re considering adopting, including helpful tips on training animals. There is usually only a small list of animals available for adoption, which includes photos. Expect this animal shelter to do their part before the adoption to make certain you’re a good match for the pet and the pet is the right choice for you and your family.

Reference:

• Petfinder’s List of Nashville Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups: www.petfinder.com/awo/search?keyword=&city=Nashville&action=state&state=T