Thinking about adopting a dog? Approximately 3.9 million dogs are received by animal shelters in the U.S. every year. Of these, 35 percent are adopted, 31 percent are euthanized and 26 percent are returned to their owners. You can help reduce the number of dogs euthanized by adopting a pooch from a shelter.
October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to consider adopting an animal from a shelter. One of the best things about adopting a puppy or dog from a shelter is the wide variety of breeds and personalities to choose from!
Here are 8 considerations to help you make the best decision when it comes to adopting a dog.
- Lifestyle
Take a few minutes to think about your living situation and your activity level. If you live in an apartment and have to go out with your dog every time he or she needs to go to the bathroom, you might choose a different dog than if you live on a ranch and have a lot of space for your dog to run.
If you are a very active person that loves to go jogging a couple times of day you might choose a different breed than if you prefer staying inside or have mobility issues.
- Breed
Learn about various dog breeds, including their activity level, temperament and other breed characteristics. Decide if you want a purebred or mixed breed dog and what mixes you would prefer. Remember that dogs are individuals and will have their own personality but you can get an idea of some basic breed characteristics and what might work best for you and your family. A good resource for breed information is the American Kennel Club (AKC).
- Age
What age do you want your dog to be? Sometimes people think they want a puppy but keep in mind that young dogs require much more training and supervision. If you lack the time or patience for training a puppy, consider an older dog that is already housetrained and has some basic ideas of what it means to live with a human.
- Temperament
Some dogs are very shy and others are aggressive. Some are socially extroverted and others don’t want a lot of interaction from people or other animals they don’t know. Some dogs will be welcoming to strangers and others are good watch dogs. Cheerfulness, friendliness and curiosity are other temperament characteristics you might look for in a dog. Do you want a dog that loves water – or one that prefers to watch other dogs play in the water rather than jump in himself?
- Activity level
Do you want a dog that is always on the go and seems to never run out of energy? Do you want a dog that is athletic and loves a good obstacle course or round of fetch? Is endurance a consideration for you? Or maybe you want a dog that prefers to hang out and relax with you? The age of the dog will have an impact on the activity needs of the animal – as a dog ages, he will naturally slow down.
- Good with kids
In general, a dog that is friendly, likes to be handled and isn’t too bothered by noise is a good fit for a family with kids. A dog that doesn’t want to be touched and is a bit stand-offish might not be a good fit for a family with a bustling household of kids.
- Spayed/neutered
There are three main reasons to choose a dog that is spayed (females) or neutered (males).
- Prevent unwanted puppies
An unspayed female will be very attractive to males when she is in heat. It’s very easy for her to get out and get pregnant. Having a litter is expensive and could result in costly surgery for your dog. In addition, finding good homes for your puppies can be very challenging. Spaying or neutering your dog is being a responsible pet owner. Breeding should be left to breeders who have an organized plan, understand canine genetics and who are interested in preserving the breed’s best characteristics for future generations.
- Reduce the chance your dog will contract certain health conditions
Certain health risks can be minimized for both male and female dogs by spaying or neutering them. Unspayed females are more prone to pyometra and mammary tumors. Males have a reduced chance of contracting testicular cancer and other problems like prostate disease.
- Improve behavior
Dogs that have been spayed/neutered tend to try to run away less. Males that have been neutered don’t mount or spray in the house as often, if at all.
- Expense
There are necessary expenses involved when you adopt a dog into your household. Here are some common ones to consider:
- Initial veterinary care
- Spay or neuter (if dog is old enough and not already “fixed”)
- Food
- Grooming
- Chew toys
- Outerwear for short-haired breeds
- Miscellaneous supplies like feeding and watering bowls, brushes, shampoo, odor neutralizers and detergent for accidents, baby gates, leashes, collars, heartworm prevention, etc.
- Training classes
- Daycare and/or overnight care as needed
Shelter pets need forever homes. If you’re considering adopting a shelter pet, check out The Shelter Pet Project website, which is a resource for finding a puppy or dog that needs a home. Other reputable online resources include Pike’s Peak Human Society and Petfinder Adoptable Animal Finder.
According to the American Humane Association, here are the most common reasons people relinquish their pets:
- Their place of residence does not allow pets
- Not enough time to give the animal attention and care
- Family going through a death or divorce
- Behavior issues.
Adopting a pup from a shelter not only makes space for another animal, but also helps to fight deplorable puppy mills. If you buy a dog from a pet store, you most certainly are getting a dog from a puppy mill. Read more about puppy mills here…
Take the time to reflect on the above 8 considerations before you make a long-term decision. Choose wisely, because when a bond breaks, everyone involved suffers. Make selecting a new dog for your family life-affirming. Afterall, adopting a new dog or puppy into your family may be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made!
Have you recently adopted a dog and want to learn more about daycare or overnight kennel options at Canine Campus? We offer premier care for dogs when they need to be away from home. We’d love to discuss your needs and/or concerns about your dog with you. Feel free to call us at 719-448-9600 or contact us online here.
Have you – or someone you know – adopted a shelter dog? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below…
Thank you for reminding me to choose a dog that can’t be easily bothered by noise and is definitely friendly so it can accommodate my kids. They have always requested for a pet, but I don’t know if buying a pet is a good idea when pet adoption is an option. I’ll keep your tips in mind while I look for an organization that houses abandoned dogs that need a new house.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Here at Canine Campus we support quality animal rescue and shelter organizations and appreciate their efforts. Hope you drop by again!