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Pet Care & Animals

Choosing a New Pet at the Shelter

A conversation between a prospective pet owner and an adoption counselor at an animal shelter, discussing different animals available, their temperaments, and adoption requirements.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Sarah (Female)
Hi there! I'm here to look at adopting a new pet. Could you tell me a bit about what animals you currently have available?
2
Michael (Male)
Welcome! We have a good selection right now. We've got several dogs, both puppies and adults, and quite a few cats. We also have a couple of rabbits and a guinea pig, if you're interested in something smaller.
3
Sarah (Female)
That's great! I'm leaning towards a dog, maybe a medium-sized one. Are there any particular breeds or mixes that are known for being good family pets?
4
Michael (Male)
Absolutely. We have a couple of Labrador mixes and a very sweet Golden Retriever mix right now that would fit that description. They tend to be very friendly and good with children. We also have a few smaller terrier mixes that are quite adaptable.
5
Sarah (Female)
Oh, a Golden Retriever mix sounds lovely! What's her temperament like? Does she get along with other animals, or does she prefer to be the only pet?
6
Michael (Male)
She's very gentle and playful. Her name is Daisy. She actually gets along quite well with most other dogs here, but we'd recommend a slow introduction if you have existing pets at home. She's also very food motivated, which is great for training.
7
Sarah (Female)
That's good to know. And what are the adoption requirements? Is there an application process or a home visit?
8
Michael (Male)
Yes, we have an adoption application form for you to fill out, and once that's reviewed, we typically do a brief phone interview. For dogs, a home visit is usually part of our process to ensure the environment is safe and suitable. We also require all existing pets in the home to be spayed or neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations.
9
Sarah (Female)
Okay, that all sounds reasonable. Could I spend some time with Daisy, and also perhaps look at some of the other dogs you mentioned?
10
Michael (Male)
Of course! I'll take you to the dog enclosures now. Just follow me, and we can introduce you to Daisy and a few others.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

adopt

To adopt means to take an animal into your home and care for it as your own, like choosing a pet from a shelter.

available

Available means ready to be chosen or used; in this context, it refers to animals that are ready for adoption at the shelter.

puppies

Puppies are young dogs, usually under one year old; they are often playful and need lots of training.

temperament

Temperament describes an animal's personality or behavior, like if it's friendly, shy, or energetic.

breeds

Breeds are different types or varieties of dogs, like Labrador or Golden Retriever, each with unique traits.

mixes

Mixes refer to mixed-breed animals that are a combination of two or more breeds, often healthier and more varied.

spayed

Spayed means a female animal has had surgery to prevent having babies; it's important for pet health and population control.

neutered

Neutered means a male animal has had surgery to remove its testicles, preventing reproduction; it's a common requirement for adoption.

vaccinations

Vaccinations are medical shots given to animals to protect them from diseases; pets must be up-to-date for safety.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Could you tell me a bit about what animals you currently have available?

This is a polite way to ask for information using 'could you' for requests and 'a bit about' to mean some details; useful when inquiring at a shelter or store.

I'm leaning towards a dog, maybe a medium-sized one.

'Leaning towards' means preferring something; this sentence shows expressing a preference, helpful for making choices in conversations about pets or purchases.

What's her temperament like?

This question asks about personality using 'what's ... like?' pattern; it's practical for learning about animals or people before deciding.

She gets along quite well with most other dogs here.

'Gets along with' means has a good relationship; 'quite well' adds emphasis; useful for describing social behavior in pets or friends.

What are the adoption requirements?

This is a direct question using 'what are the ...?' for rules or needs; essential when applying for something like adopting a pet or joining a program.

Could I spend some time with Daisy?

A polite request with 'could I' and 'spend some time with' meaning interact briefly; great for asking to meet or try something in service situations.

We require all existing pets in the home to be spayed or neutered.

This uses 'require ... to be' for mandatory actions; it explains rules clearly, useful in formal contexts like applications or policies.