1. They Are Already Trained
Training a puppy, especially if it’s your first pet, can be hard work. It requires a great deal of patience and can be extremely time consuming – which makes it very difficult if you have a busy working life or young children to look after. Adoptable dogs, however, may already have learned various commands and house rules from their previous owners. They still will require a lot of attention, and new training methods may be necessary for their new home, but the majority of them already are house trained.
2. Clean Bill of Health
Before shelters allow a dog to be put up for adoption, they conduct a number of in-depth health checks. This means that when you adopt a dog, they have usually already been vaccinated, spayed, and/or neutered. In addition to being safe in the knowledge that your new dog will be healthy, it’s also much more cost effective than buying a new puppy and organizing the health checks yourself.
3. The Bad Reputation Is Completely Untrue
Some people are put off the idea of adopting a pet due to the common misconception that they come from bad backgrounds and have behavioral problems. Yes, some dogs may have come from troubled backgrounds, but the majority of dogs are put up for adoption because of the owner, not the dog. Owners surrender perfectly well behaved dogs because they struggle to pay for their care or have difficulty properly caring for them in their older age. Shelters also conduct checks before a dog is rehomed to ensure that they are matched up to the right type of owners.
4. The Huge Variety of Dogs From Which to Choose
It’s important to remember that you are not limited to just your local dog shelter. There’s nothing stopping you from ‘shopping around’ and visiting a number of shelters to help guarantee you find the perfect dog to give a forever home to. Approximately 20 – 30% of dogs in shelters are purebreds, so you don’t necessarily have to buy a new puppy from a puppy mill if it’s a purebred you’re after. As well as having a fantastic variety of breeds to choose from, there’s also greater flexibility in choosing the age of the dog you adopt. Older dogs can be much easier to manage and can be better around small children.
5. You Get to See Your Dog’s Personality There and Then
When you buy a puppy, it’s impossible to tell what kind of dog they’re going to grow into. Obviously how you treat the dog will have an impact, but certain personality traits are inevitable and a puppy’s true personality may not show until they’re a few years old. When you visit shelters, however, you can often experience the dogs’ personalities there and then – so you know whether you’re getting the perfect dog for you or your family.
6. Dogs Make You Happy, but Adopted Dogs Make You REALLY Happy
Getting a dog, whether it’s your first or your third, brings instant happiness to our lives. Not only are they scientifically proven to reduce stress, but they also encourage you to go outside and exercise – they’re undoubtedly the perfect companion for happiness. However, imagine the extra happiness you’d feel knowing that you’ve given a dog a second chance and are about to improve their life forever! These dogs really do deserve a good home, and once you’ve given one to them they will always express their gratitude and love you unconditionally.
7. It Sets a Great Example
Adopting a dog and giving them a second chance in life can set a fantastic example to your children as it teaches them the values of kindness and consideration. Furthermore, by simply talking to close friends, family or people within your community, you can help spread the word and maybe even influence them to follow suit and adopt their own pet from a shelter!
Author Bio:
This article was written on behalf of helpucover. helpucover is a trading style of Pinnacle Insurance plc, an insurance company who offer a range of cover including Income Protection, Pet Insurance, GAP insurance and Gadget Insurance. Visit us online at: http://www.helpucover.co.uk
Tags: Adoptable Dogs, adoption, dog adoption, shelter dogs
