Adopting a Rescue Dog
Thinking of Adopting a Dog?
Pet adoption is both a noble and worthwhile goal for the prospective pet owner – in particular, “Rescue Dogs” have become quite popular over the past few years, due to increased public awareness of the problems of abused or unwanted dogs languishing in shelters, often with no alternative but to wait for euthanasia.
Unfortunately, given the recent economic troubles most animal shelters are overflowing these days with more pets than they can reasonably absorb, so wondering if there will be enough selection among the various breeds and mixed breeds is a moot point at present. So why not go for it? You’d not only be saving a dog’s life, but gaining a lifelong friend in the deal! However, before you go home with your new best pal, please consider the following questions carefully – many owners do not think through the reality of a dog adoption before it’s too late; subsequently, too many prospective owners wind up bringing their dogs back to the shelter, with tragic results for all in many cases.
Factors to Consider Before Considering a Visit to the Shelter - you must perform due diligence before visiting an animal shelter. You should ask yourself the following questions:
· Is my home appropriate for a dog? If you’re currently living in a rental unit, your landlord most likely has restrictions on keeping any kind of pets in your home. Also, if you have a family, you need to figure out if areas are going to be off – limits to your dog, and how it will be properly assimilated into your family. Large dogs are going to need more space than small ones, obviously – and if you’re going to keep your dog inside for the most part, you need to carefully consider what your dog’s needs are going to be through the years as they age.
· Do I have the necessary time available to properly care for my dog? Dogs need a lot of time with their human co – habitants; after all, they were breed specifically to be social animals. Time requirements should include training, play, care and spending time with them for no specific reason at all. Dogs that are commonly left alone for extended periods often develop personality and behavioral problems – Rescue Dogs in particular may be untrained and/or been abused, so special care should be taken into consideration for what your dog’s behavioral needs are not only in the present, but also for the future.
· Costs involved in the care of a dog - As mentioned previously, many owners are not aware of the cost involved in properly caring for a dog. Routine visits to the vet can add up over the years, and if any serious conditions develop or an accident occurs, expect the costs of appropriate care to exceed your budgetary expectations rather quickly. Getting the right dog insurance plan can go a long way towards the owner’s peace of mind regarding this reality.
· Find out the Dog’s past history, if at all possible – in the case of dogs that have been abused, this becomes even more paramount. Try to discern if the dog has spent puppyhood being raised in a foster home or kennel, and how they were kept (i.e. in a crate or some other type of container). Ask the people currently caring for the dog about it’s personality, temperament, socialization and any training that it’s received.
· Spend Time with the Dog Away from the shelter - Walk with the dog away from other people and animals that can cause undue stress and distractions. Ask the shelter is you can spend the night with the dog at your home, or better yet, a trial period to see if the dog will be able to acclimate to your family and household. The problem of only seeing the dog in a shelter environment is that it may be under abnormal stress from being displaced from it’s past environment, as well as being in a strange and frightening situation that doesn’t allow the prospective owner to really see the dog’s personality in an accurate light.
· Finding the Right Shelter - Unfortunately, in some cases supposed animal shelters have been in reality fronts for unscrupulous puppy mill breeders, so you need to start your search with reputable shelters and rescue organizations that can be found across the country.
If you follow the above steps, your chances of getting the right dog for your home will be greatly enhanced. Remember, adopting any dog is a serious commitment of money, time and attention. But they’re well worth it!
From the Blogosphere:
Adopt Me Please! The Shelter Pet Project
Anyone who knows me, or has read my blog to any extent, knows that I am passionate about animals.
People are often hesitant to adopt a senior for fear of ending up with a sickly pet, but most senior animals in shelters and rescue groups are quite healthy.
Things to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
The following are a few basic considerations and many of them can be easily overlooked until the puppy is brought home.
Eight Things to Consider When Adopting a Shelter Dog
A fully grown shelter dog may already be house trained, trained in basic obedience and be past the teething stage.
Mail this post
Tags: dog adoption