When people picture their ideal dog, they usually have a specific breed in mind. This is often a purebred animal, so it can be tempting to buy a puppy directly from a dealer. There are, however, hundreds of thousands of dogs in kennels desperate for a second chance at life. Adopting one of these is hugely rewarding and comes with a range of other benefits too.
First and foremost, you’ll be giving a dog a second chance. That’s especially true if the animal is living in a “high kill” shelter where unwanted dogs are euthanized. In that scenario, you’ll literally be saving a dog’s life. Even kinder shelters are hard on their animals, though. Dogs don’t thrive while locked away in a kennel, and the stress of the pound puts a massive strain on them emotionally.
Adopting a dog from a shelter means that you’ll always have a support network in place. Staff work hard to train and care for their animals, and that doesn’t end at adoption. If you have a problem, you’ll often be able to call the shelter. They’ll know all about your dog’s medical history, personality, and any potential problems. This safety net can save you a lot of stress and money in the future.
Buying a puppy from a breeder might seem an enticing prospect, but it can be incredibly stressful. Puppies are bundles of (often destructive) energy, need round-the-clock care, and invariably aren’t house trained. Housebreaking a dog is an arduous process that can take months of stress, but it isn’t a problem with a rescue dog. Many come from existing homes, and the shelter works hard to ensure that all dogs are house trained before they leave.
Similarly, many shelter dogs arrive having been neglected. This means that they’re screened for health problems as default. You’ll always know what (if any) health problems the dog has and how to treat them. This is invaluable with older dogs, but it’s useful in all cases. It’s tempting to imagine that puppies are young and healthy, but even a dog bought from a breeder can have congenital problems.
Breeders charge a lot for their animals. Heritage breeds are even more expensive, often with prices pushing towards or even over $1000. No such problem exists with adopted dogs. You might have to pay a small adoption fee to keep the shelter running, but this will always be cheaper than buying a puppy. You can make the process even cheaper by using a dedicated pet services search tool like Exceptional Pets to source supplies and gets in your area. Shopping around is always preferable, and you’ll be surprised at how much you save.
Dogs are intelligent and empathetic creatures who know when a person loves them. Many dogs can’t tolerate shelter conditions and feel genuine gratitude to their new owners. This translates into love, loyalty, and lots of cuddles! There are fewer more rewarding feelings than liberating a dog from a bad situation.
