Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue group gives the abused or abandoned dog a well-deserved chance at a happy life. According to government statistics, between 700 and 1,300 animals per county are abandoned each year. This is an uncivilized shame. Going to a shelter to adopt a dog is an act of honor; in fact, you’ll be tempted to take all the dogs home with you!
There are too many bred puppies and not enough homes that adopt these dogs. The abandonment numbers are simply too great for dog rescue groups and dog/animal shelters to handle. Many wonderful dogs that should be adopted and given another chance are abandoned at dog shelters and euthanized every year.
There are no excuses for abandoning dogs.
Common and poor excuses are given as:
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Moving: A dog owner moves in only to find that his dog is not allowed, so the dog is abandoned, as if disposable. It is often left on the street, or if the dog’s luck is a little better, at a dog shelter or animal rescue group.
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The pregnancy: A dog owner who does not anticipate and lacks the resources to deal with a pregnant dog and the litter to follow. And, the difficulty of finding good homes to adopt the puppies.
- the dog owner underestimate the amount of work required to care for a dog.
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allergies: Make sure beforehand that you won’t be allergic to the dog you adopt to bring home.
An abandoned dog is an abused dog.
An abused dog is when he is left without food, water, shelter, when he is not given proper veterinary care and deprived of interaction and kindness. When dogs are acquired, then forgotten or ignored, they can starve, become dehydrated, be exposed to parasites, infections, and worse. Sometimes the abused dog may be overweight or extremely obese with massive fat deposits on the chest, spine and base of the tail, with abdominal distention.
Adopt a dog – adopt a puppy.
Dog shelters are full of dogs that desperately need people to adopt these dogs and give them a home. Dogs that need adoption are there through no fault of their own. According to the ASPCA, 50% of dogs in shelters are destroyed because there is no one to adopt them. You might consider the merits of adopting a puppy or adopting a dog and rescuing it from your local dog shelter or dog rescue group.
The merits to adopt.
The added bonus is that dogs adopted from shelters have had their shots and are usually spayed/neutered. Adopting from a dog shelter or rescue may be the way to go, even if you are looking for a purebred dog. In addition to purebred rescue groups, the ASPCA estimates that 20% of dogs in shelters are purebreds.
Going to a dog shelter to adopt your dog or puppy is a noble act.
You should consider the following:
- The bottom of the dog or puppy.
- Shelters can provide assessments on aggression and personality.
- Since most dogs react aggressively to wire cages, see if you can remove a dog of interest from your neighbors.
- Try to walk the dog on a leash in a controlled area. Remember, you are a strange person in a strange environment for a confused dog. If you have other pets or children, try to examine the dog’s reaction to them.
- Most kennel dogs are mixed breeds. A staff member can give you their opinion on the breed, but if you have a knowledgeable friend, you may want them to come along for a second opinion.
exist benefits and merits of adopting a senior dog.
An adult shelter dog may already be house and obedience trained, and past the teething stage. You will have a good assessment of your new dog in terms of size, temperament and personality, so the possibility of surprise is greatly reduced. By adopting a senior dog from the shelter, you are giving the dog a well-deserved second chance at a happy life.