Check the adoption rates for that shelter

Unfortunately, people don’t usually want to adopt an animal that was kept in poor conditions, so if that shelter has low adoption rates, it could be a sign that these animals are being treated badly or that the organization has unrealistic adoption requirements that can’t be met by those who want to adopt. 

“Capacity to care has been exceeded for the shelter or rescue, which means that not all animals are receiving necessary care. Despite this, many will continue to accept additional animals,” said Dr. Emily Dudley, a veterinarian with Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.