In the search for a pet, I have explored Montgomery County's adoptable animals over the past month.

Several organizations specialize in taking in homeless animals, putting them in foster care and helping to connect each with a loving owner. One non-profit group, Lizzy's Lodge, brings some of their animals to the Petsmart in the Kentlands each Saturday. Annie's Orphans is another organization that is run out of Gaithersburg and also cares for animals in foster homes.

Living with the dogs for several days or weeks enables the foster parents to learn about the personalities and behaviors of each animals. This helps them to find the ideal match for adopter and adoptee.

In contrast, the Montgomery County Humane Society has an ever-changing selection of animals that the shelter staff know little about. New dogs and cats arrive at the shelter each day and are labeled with a brief description of where they were found, and in what condition.

A staff member told me that often more animals arrive than leave each day, meaning there is a shortage of beds.

I visited the shelter located just off East Gude Road this month. Anyone is free to see the dogs and cats during the shelter's visiting hours from noon to 7 p.m., Mon, Tue, Thur, and Fri, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

It can be heart-wrenching to walk by the big hopeful eyes staring up at each person who passes. The outside of each animal's cage or crate lists their sex, approximate age, breed mixture, and a number identifying them.

When you meet one you'd like to get to know without the division of the cage gate, you note the number and put in the request with the staff at the front desk. They will provide the information known about the dog: how long it's been at the shelter, general temperment, spayed or neutered status, and if anyone else has applied to adopt it.

Then a staff member will bring the dog outside on a leash and you can spend time with it.

I found a couple dogs that interested me, but under the conditions of the shelter  – where all the dogs were barking and every animal was excited to break free of the cage – it's hard to know how the animal will behave in a home setting.

If you do fall in love with an animal during your visit, you can begin the adoption procedure immediately. The first step is submitting an application, listing your past or current pets, detailing your living situation with estimates of how much time you could spend with the animal.

The shelter gives people a six-day window to claim a lost dog, so no dog can be adopted within that six days. Once the six days have passed, a member of the shelter staff will conduct a home visit and interview with the first applicant.

I didn't meet my perfect canine match that day. I will continue to explore the local rescue groups and search Petfinder.com for other adoptable pets.

Editor's note: This is Part 2 in my search for a pet series. Read part 1: The Search For the Perfect Pet.