Have you ever considered rescuing a dog? Bringing a rescue dog into your family can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. Not only are you saving that particular dog, but you are also making a way for other dogs to be rescued by making room for them at the shelter. When you rescue a dog (or cat) you literally give him a second chance at having a long and happy life and there really isn’t much that compares to the feeling of knowing that you’ve given a living creature a second chance. However, as wonderful as pet rescue is, there are some things to know before you go into it in order to help you make the best decision possible.
First, before you even set foot in a shelter, do some research to determine the type of dog that will be right for you. If you were purchasing a dog from a breeder you would do the same thing. You would research breeds and determine a breed that is going to fit in well with your family life and then you would likely research breeders in your area that have available dogs. Well, the same holds true for rescuing a dog. It’s important to do your research and know what type of dog you would like based on your family dynamics and activities. You may narrow it down to a couple of different breeds that will fit your criteria. Once you’ve done this, it’s time to start searching for your perfect dog.
Next, you’ll want to research local shelters to see what dogs may be available for adoption. An online search will connect you with local area shelters. Websites that are a good place to start are Adopt a Pet.com, Petfinder or your local Humane Society. Each of these sites offers a place for you to type in your local information and find a shelter near you with dogs that are available to adopt.
You will want to know what type of veterinary care the dog has received while sheltered and what type of socialization as well. A good shelter will do a great job of caring for the dog while they have him and making sure that he is getting socialized with other dogs in the shelter. Once you’ve identified one or two dogs that you are considering for adoption, take some time to learn about the dog’s temperament. It can be very easy to fall in love with a sweet face, especially when that sweet face has been waiting a long time to be adopted, but it is so very important to pick a dog that will fit well into your family. This is one of the primary reasons that dogs end up in shelters; often a family brings them home only to learn they are not a good dog for their lifestyle. A good shelter, that does its homework interviewing families, will be careful to avoid placing the dog in the wrong home.
Expect that the shelter volunteers will ask you many questions in order to make the correct placement. This is a critical part of the adoption process that many people are not aware of, however, a good shelter will take the time to interview you as well as allow you to observe the dog you are interested in adopting. Because so many dogs end up in shelters due to a poor family fit, shelters are careful to protect the dog from the same situation.
A poor family fit is just one of many reasons why a dog may end up in a shelter. Many people jump into dog ownership without really considering the cost of doing so. The monthly expenses of feeding a dog combined with yearly veterinary care can often be more than people expect. Additionally, many people simply do not understand the care and attention that dogs require and once they have one, soon realize that it’s more than they bargained for. Major life changes are another reason that dogs can end up in shelters. Divorce, death, relocating or a chronic or serious medical condition that requires much time and resources are the primary reasons dogs will need to be sheltered. There are those cases of abuse as well, but more often than not, it’s a lifestyle reason that will land a dog in a shelter.
According to the ASPCA approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide. These are sad statistics, and we would prefer this number to be zero, but the fact that there are families out there who lovingly and willingly adopt pets makes us very thankful and gives us great hope that more and more will embrace this wonderful means of adding to your family. We hope this information has been helpful to you as you consider a rescue dog.
Here at Cascade Kennels, we’ve had the pleasure of seeing many of our customers rescue dogs over the years and it’s always such a joy to see the perfect family matched to the perfect rescue dog.
