You may have reached a point in your life where you are looking to add companionship to your family. Whether you get a dog or a cat, looking at a pet shelter may be your best option. The vets at our Cumming animal hospital share some reasons to skip the pet store and adopt your dog from a shelter instead.
How Adopting Dogs From a Shelter Can Help Prevent Overpopulation
Each year 8 to 12 million dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are euthanized because there are simply not enough homes for them.
Unfortunately, many people do not think that adopting a dog is an option suitable for them or their family. This can be for many reasons, such as assuming that any dog adopted from a shelter will have a number of health complications. Some people may even think that they won't be able to find any of the breeds they are considering. Certain people may even think that the adoption process is long and complicated. Luckily none of these are true which means that shelters are in fact a great option for anyone looking to bring a dog into their life.
While there are some common misconceptions about the reasons why these dogs ended up at animal shelters, the reasons are usually simple although still usually heartbreaking. Some of the dogs were just lost but never reunited with their owners while others were purposely abandoned. Some dogs are surrendered by people who no longer have the means to provide proper care for the dog. Some dogs that end up in shelters were born to strays or have behavioral concerns that were not properly addressed by their owners.
So do not let the stories you hear prevent you from finding your perfect companion at your local shelter. If you aren't entirely convinced yet, let the vets at our animal hospital in Cumming share 10 of the reasons why you should adopt your next dog from a local shelter.
10 Reasons Why You Should Adopt Your Next Dog
1. Dogs From the Shelter Are Just As Lovable
This may seem obvious but the love you will get from a dog will fill you up with an abundance of happiness. This love will be forever and unconditional. Even if your dog previously called a shelter home, they will still be filled with the same love that they will shower you with.
2. Adopting Shows a Stance Against Animal Cruelty
The unfortunate truth of buying from many pet stores is that the dogs come from puppy mills which breed dogs in unsanitary and unfavorable conditions. These dogs do not receive proper medical care, they fall sick often and are behaviourally troubled as a result. The female dogs are usually restrained or contained with no affection or positive attention and are often abused. Once these dogs are not able to produce puppies, they will be discarded or disposed of.
3. You Get to Pick the Dog That You Want
The dogs available at the shelter are eagerly waiting to meet their forever family. Shelter dogs don't understand why they were left in this place and are only looking to show their gratitude to anyone who brings them home. You will have the opportunity to go around and meet all of the dogs and pick the one that you feel the best connection with.
4. Most of the Dogs Are Already House-Trained
As previously mentioned, many dogs are in the shelter through no fault of their own. Whether the owner is incapable of care or the dog suffers from a condition that the previous owner was unable to manage, none of them have asked to be in the position they are in. They have, however, already spent time in both the home and in the shelter which means that they are likely to have house-training to some extent. Generally, all shelter dogs also get time with a professional trainer during their stay which means that you get a well-behaved dog.
5. These Dogs Are Patiently Waiting For Their Forever Family
Like you, dogs yearn for companionship. This goes for dogs that have been lost or abandoned as well. These dogs have been robbed of the happy, love-filled life that they deserve. Why not show one the happiness that you can provide them?
6. Give a Dog a Second Chance Through Adoption
A shelter dog has already experienced one type of life, which unfortunately ended with them being in the shelter. But this means that you now have the opportunity to give them a new lease on life and show them how wonderful and filled with care it can be. The more we look to adoption for pets the less of a need there will be for puppy mills which are supported by pet stores and specific breeding.
7. You'll Adopt a Lifelong Companion
Owning a pet has actually been scientifically proven to make us happier. By providing a pet with ongoing love and affection and companionship we are fulfilled in a way that is not met in other areas of our lives. This holds true for all age groups.
8. Adopting Keeps Animals Safe
Our Crestview Animal Hospital pet vets know that you hear the common saying that there are not enough homes for the available pets and unfortunately, this is the truth. This makes the shift to adopting pets rather than purchasing all the more important. If dogs end up homeless they run the risk of experiencing fatal injuries, abuse and neglect. By adopting the pets available at the shelter you can give them a second chance while making space for the next ones to also find their forever homes.
9. Those Who Perform Selfless Acts Are Happier
Typically, people can assume that anyone who is kind to animals should be a good person. Caring for an animal is a selfless task. In turn, you will feel love and compassion along with the therapeutic benefits of owning and caring for these animals.
10. You Will Be a Hero For Saving an Innocent Life
You will be able to wake up every day knowing the bond you have with your dog was formed the moment you saved them from a life of homelessness. They will love you unconditionally for life and you will spend every day enjoying the benefits of this companionship.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding people or pets. Always follow your doctor's advice regarding asthma or other allergy symptoms.