Reasons to Adopt a Dog

Animal shelters are the first place to look when you are thinking of adding a dog to your family. Not only do they have a great selection of adult dogs, but they also have puppies and purebred dogs. There are many reasons why you should adopt a dog from a rescue group or a shelter. There are dog owners who only adopt from rescue groups or shelters, and there are dog owners who only purchase dogs from breeders.

Reasons why adopting a dog is a good Idea

You’ll save a life

ASPCA reports that millions of dogs are euthanized every year in the United States because too many people give up their dogs and not enough people adopt from shelters. There is limited space at shelters. Therefore, staff members need to make the very hard decision to euthanize dogs who haven’t been adopted. The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted dogs instead of buying them.

Adopting your dog

Adopting from a private humane society or animal shelter, breed rescue group, or the local animal control agency, you’ll help save the lives of two animals — the pet you adopt and a homeless animal somewhere who can be rescued because of space you helped free up.

You’ll save money

Adopting a dog from an animal shelter is less expensive than buying a dog or even getting one for free. This is because of the services provided by the shelter or rescue group. There are many reasons to adopt a dog, and this is one of them. Because animals from most groups are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed and often bathed and treated for fleas, the adoption fee is a real bargain.

You’ll feel better

Dogs have a way of putting a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Additionally, dogs provide unconditional love as well as psychological, emotional, and physical benefits. Caring for a companion animal can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation in all age groups.

You’ll get a healthy pet

Animal shelters are brimming with happy, healthy animals just waiting for someone to take them home. Shelters examine dogs and give them vaccinations when they arrive, and many spay or neuter them before adoption. In addition to medical care, more and more shelters also screen dogs for specific temperaments and behaviors to make sure each family finds the right dog for its lifestyle.

You do not have to deal with the puppy stage.

The majority of dogs in a rescue group or shelter are adults. By adopting an adult dog you won’t have to deal with puppy behaviors such as teething, messes, crying, housebreaking, vaccinations, deworming, spaying or neutering. Need I say more?

Purebreds also need rescuing

A rescue organization is set up for almost every breed of dog. If you have your heart set on a Brittany Spaniel, you can search for that breed through petfinder.com and Adopt-a-pet.com and find a homeless Pomeranian or any other breed you are interested in. You can also read my blog on Breed Specific Rescue Groups.

You can find a dog that is already trained

Dogs at the shelter are already house-trained, and know obedience commands well. Although your newly adopted dog may be trained, it is recommended that you have a few in-home dog training sessions to aid in the bonding process and to teach your pet a few tricks.
By adopting instead of buying a dog

By adopting instead of buying a dog, you can be certain you aren’t supporting cruel puppy mills with your money.

Locate your local animal shelter and or rescue group and check online for “animal shelter, control” or “Humane Society.” Many shelters have websites that feature animals available for adoption.

Many shelters promote their animals for adoption on national websites, such as petfinder.com and Adopt-a-pet.com.

Shelters often have purebred dogs for reasons other than their wonderfulness. So call around and see. Additionally, almost every dog breed under the sun has a rescue group. A rescue group that works to save abused or homeless members of that breed and then find them homes. Many of these rescue groups are remarkable organizations. Therefore, they can provide you with the breed of your choice.

As a result of reading this article, you should have multiple reasons to adopt a dog.

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