Want to adopt a dog? We’re sharing seven things you should know about bringing home a new rescue or
shelter pet.
Check out our photo gallery below to learn everything from
the best ways to find adoptable animals to common shelter pet myths.
Make Sure You're Ready for a New Dog
Before you run to your local shelter or spend a
lot of time looking online for the perfect rescue dog, ask
yourself if you’re really ready for a new furry family member. For instance,
can you afford to care for a cat or dog for the next 10 years — or even longer? Is this
the best time of year for you to get an animal? Will a new pet fit in with your
family’s lifestyle? If you can answer these questions and know that you’re ready for a shelter pet, then it’s time for the next step: research.
Do Your Research
To find the perfect shelter pup for you and your family,
you’ll need to do some research. A great place to start is our dog breed directory, where you can browse more than 200 dog breed profiles. After that,
check out petfinder.com or adoptapet.com to find dogs in your area who need homes.
Don’t Fall for Shelter Pet Myths
Shelter pets are not damaged goods. People often assume that animals end up in shelters
because there is something wrong with their temperament, health or behavior. But
often that’s not the case. There are many reasons animals end up in
shelters, and they often have to do with the humans, not the pets. You also might have
heard that rescues won’t have the kind of pet you’re looking for.
But if you do your research, you will find a pet who’s right for you.
Consider Bringing Home a Senior Dog
Puppies are cute and all, but they also require a lot of
work. They need lots of training and socialization. Adult and senior dogs
deserve to be adopted just as much as their younger counterparts — and they often
are already house-trained and know basic commands.
You may not have as many years with your adopted senior as you would with a puppy, but for many, the pros of adopting an older dog
outweigh the cons. When dog trainer Mikkel Becker adopted her senior
Pomeranian, Mister Teddy, she didn’t even have a full year with him. But in
their short time together, Becker and Mister Teddy developed a deep bond that
changed her and her daughter’s lives forever.
Fostering a Pet Is Another Option
If you want to help a shelter pet but can’t commit to
adopting one, fostering can be a great choice. You’ll help a shelter relieve crowding and allow the pet to get
used to a home environment as she waits for a forever family. In turn, the shelter will rely on you to provide
information about the pet so the staff can find her the perfect home. Of
course, it’s hard not to fall in love, so you need to be prepared to give up the
animal if she gets adopted.
Yes, You Can Adopt Purebred Dogs
If you’re set on getting a purebred dog, you
don’t necessarily have to go to a breeder. In fact, between 15 and 25 percent
of animals found at shelters are purebreds. The best way to find particular breeds of dogs is to reach out to breed-specific rescue groups or search on
adoption sites like petfinder.com. While there’s a chance you’ll be able to
find a puppy, you’re more likely to come across adult or senior purebreds. But
that’s not a bad thing. As we've said before, there are lots of
benefits to adopting an older canine.
Adopting a Pet Can Change Your Life
One of the greatest things about bringing home a
rescue pet is that it changes an animal’s life — and your own. Shelter pets are just happy to get families and homes. What could be better than that?
