Welcoming a dog into your household is a life-changing event in the best way possible. Doing so means getting a new best friend for many years. Some people choose to buy their dog from a breeder, while others prefer to adopt. Of course, all dogs are amazing, whether from a breeder or a shelter. Still, there are many unique benefits to adopting a rescue dog that you should consider when making your decision. We’ve put together this guide to help you familiarize yourself with them, so keep reading!
Firstly, let’s go over what the adoption process looks like
Knowing what to expect is good if you’re considering adopting a dog. While it’s a relatively straightforward process, there are still a few steps. Remember that some rules may vary depending on the shelter, so ensure you have all the necessary information.
Most shelters will ask you to fill out the adoption application first. It usually consists of questions about you, your household, and your lifestyle and lets the shelter know if you’re suitable to adopt. Then, you’ll be able to meet the dogs, get to know them, and choose the one you want.
The last step before the adoption is complete is usually a home visit by the shelter employees. That is primarily to check that your home will provide the dog with a good quality of life. Also, they will let you know if you need to adapt your living space to make it more dog-friendly. Finally, after everything is done, all that’s left to do is to take your new best friend home and enjoy!
Now that we have the technicalities let’s go over all the benefits of adopting a rescue dog.
1. It’s a humane thing to do
That is the most crucial reason for the majority of dog adopters. By adopting a dog, you’re giving it a new chance at life. Shelters have a limited capacity, and overpopulation is a growing issue. While there are thousands of dog shelters around the US, only some are so-called no-kill shelters. Unfortunately, the other ones often practice euthanasia to solve the issue of shelter overpopulation. That means you’re potentially saving it from a death sentence by adopting a rescue dog.
While it may seem like you’re saving only one doggy life, you’re doing more than that. Taking a rescue dog home means opening up a free spot in the shelter for another animal. That gives them a temporary home and an opportunity to also become a beloved pet to someone.
2. You’re in for some extra love
Every dog loves its owner pretty much unconditionally. Many people noticed that this is especially true for rescue dogs. Adopted dogs understand what’s happening around them and can sense that you’re helping them. They will thank you daily with endless love, kisses, and cuddles, and what more could you possibly want?
Another essential factor is dogs’ character traits. Just like us, dogs have personalities too. Some of them like hanging out with people more than others. While these traits are individual, there is a pattern when it comes to rescuing dogs.
Many rescue dogs haven’t had much contact with people before being in the shelter. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re less friendly once adopted. In truth, the opposite is true. Moving Movers For Less have noted that adopted dogs are generally more friendly even during stressful periods like relocations. That is definitely something to consider if you, too, are a social person and your dog will be exposed to many people.
3. You will save money
Like with everything else in life, finances are necessary when it comes to owning a dog. You must learn to include food, snacks, toys, etc., in your budget. Apart from those expenses, the dog will likely cost you some money.
Buying a dog from a certified breeder can be expensive, especially if it’s an uncommon breed. Prices per puppy can go up to a few thousand dollars, which is quite a lot of money. Not everyone can afford this. The majority of people can’t. However, does that mean that they shouldn’t own a dog at all? Absolutely not!
One of the main benefits of adopting a rescue dog is reduced financial cost. While the process is sometimes free, some shelters may ask you to pay an adoption fee. Still, that cost is significantly less than buying a puppy from a breeder. Also, you can use all the money you saved to buy your new best friend many toys and treats!
4. You won’t be supporting the unethical dog breeder practices
Dog breeding has been a thriving business area for quite some time now. Let’s face it, a litter of fluffy, tiny puppies is adorable. In addition, you can find a breeder for almost any dog breed in the US nowadays. That is why many people opt to buy a dog from a breeder.
Unfortunately, not all dog breeders have the dogs’ best interests in mind. Some operate solely for profit, disregarding the health and overall state. These are the so-called puppy mills. The breeding dogs there often live in terrible conditions and cramped and dirty spaces. Furthermore, their goal is to produce as many puppy litters as possible, which can negatively affect the health of the mother dog.
Unless you can visit the breeder personally, there’s no way to know the dogs’ conditions. So, if you buy a dog from a pet store or online, you’re supporting a puppy mill. Choosing to adopt a rescue dog removes that possibility.
5. You can get any breed you want
Pure-breed dogs have always been popular. There are many reasons for people’s breed preferences: visual appearance, character traits, health predispositions, etc. Most insist on getting a pure-breed dog to avoid shelters, as they don’t think they’ll find what they want. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
There is a general misconception that the only dogs you encounter in animal shelters are strays. While some percentage of them are street dogs, there are also a lot of pure-breed babies in shelters. If you want a pure-breed dog, check the shelters before resorting to puppy mills. Many shelters offer breed-specific searches, so you can check if they have your preferred breed before visiting.
6. Many of them have all the necessary medical procedures sorted out
Every responsible dog owner knows that there’s a series of medical procedures the dog needs to go through. Firstly, it needs to receive many different shots. Diseases like parvo or heartworm can be hazardous for dogs. That is why their prevention is crucial. While neutering isn’t necessary, many vets recommend doing it once your dog reaches an appropriate age. It has many health benefits, so neutering will likely help your dog live a better and healthier life.
When you adopt a dog, the shelter has already sorted these things out. A large number of dogs living in a confined shelter space can cause diseases to spread quickly. That is why the shelter needs to make sure the dogs are protected. The same goes for neutering, as new puppies are the shelter’s last needs.
7. Some of them have already been trained
Training a puppy isn’t the most straightforward task in the world. It takes time and patience; even with that, it sometimes seems impossible. Animal shelters have dogs of all ages so you can adopt an adult dog already past the puppy stage. They’re generally calmer, and there’s also a good chance they have some training behind them.
Many dogs that end up in shelters used to have an owner at some point. That means they’ve likely been potty-trained or taught how to drive in cars. Even if that’s not the case and the dog grew up on the street, it has acquired skills through contact with the shelter workers. Finally, a big part of dog training is teaching it to socialize. Rescue dogs have constantly been exposed to other dogs, making them friendly and comfortable with other animals.
Final words
Adoption is a fantastic alternative to buying a dog in a pet store or online. The benefits of adopting a rescue dog are countless. And the best part is that you and your new pup benefit from it! Not only you’re getting a new buddy that will love you unconditionally, but you’re also doing a good deed. Shelters are getting increasingly crowded, so every piece of action helps.
Pictures used:
https://unsplash.com/photos/U3aF7hgUSrk
https://unsplash.com/photos/FtuJIuBbUhI
https://unsplash.com/photos/qJQRJAnFuTI
https://unsplash.com/photos/T-0EW-SEbsE
