If you’re considering adding a dog to your family, we congratulate you! The bond between dog and human is truly unique and awe inspiring, not to mention that pet ownership is downright fun!
We hope you will consider adopting a rescue dog, and here are our top 10 reasons why:
Ten Reasons Why Adopting A Rescue Dog Just Makes Sense
- You can adopt a fully trained dog – Many of the pets living in shelters or rescues are already house-trained and ready to interact with a family. Adopting even a partially trained pet can be an enjoyable, low-stress experience for the entire family.
- Adoption is budget-friendly – Shelter and rescue pets have typically already been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, all of which can save considerably on the up front costs of pet ownership.
- Plenty to choose from – Have your heart set on a certain breed or age of dog? You can find what you’re looking for at a shelter or breed-specific rescue organization.
- You can start out as a foster parent – Many shelters and rescues offer a foster-to-adopt program, which can be helpful if you have children or other pets at home and want to see how everyone gets along. Plus you will be giving the dog experience living in a home, which makes them more adoptable if it doesn’t work out with your family.
- Your dog’s personality is known – Dogs that have been living in foster homes have usually had a chance to relax and allow their true personalities to shine, giving you the opportunity to ask plenty of questions of the foster parents. You will be able to find out how your prospective pup relates to other dogs, kids, what his or her energy level is, and other personality quirks.
- Taking a stand – Adopting a dog is truly putting your money where your mouth is when it comes to taking a stand against puppy mills and other illegal breeding operations.
- Your dog has been pre-screened – Before releasing dogs for adoption, shelters and rescues make sure they have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and checked out by a veterinarian. If you choose to adopt a special-needs dog you will be made aware of the care involved ahead of time, and many organizations will even pay post-adoption medical expenses.
- Adopting a pet has health benefits – Studies show that spending time with a pet contributes to lower blood pressure, less stress, and reduced incidents of depression. Couple that with the knowledge that you have helped a pet in need, and the boon to your health is tremendous!
- Helping your community – Every pet adopted from a shelter or rescue opens up a spot for another pet and further reduces the homeless pet population in your community.
- Saving a life – Many shelters that euthanize pets do so after a relatively short amount of time has gone by without the pet being adopted. By choosing to bring home a shelter dog, you may literally be saving his or her life.
Have more questions about adopting a shelter dog? Give Union Lake Veterinary Hospital a call, we’re happy to help.