Rescued Is Our Favorite Breed!
So you're thinking about getting a dog. Maybe you want a companion. Maybe your children want a furry friend to play with. Maybe you want a running buddy. Maybe you already have a dog that needs a friend. Whatever the reason may be, you are pretty sure that having a pooch in your life is going to make it better. And you are absolutely right!
However, getting a dog is a big decision and there are many questions that you may be considering. What breed is best for me? Do I want a puppy, an adult dog or a senior dog? What costs are involved with adding a dog to my family? Where shall I get this dog?
The last question - “Where should I get my dog?” - is a huge decision and one we hope to enlighten you about! You may have considered adopting a dog but maybe you aren't sure exactly what that means or entails. Let us start with the unfortunate and devastating reality. There are hundreds of shelters across the country filled with thousands of pups who were neglected, abandoned, sick, starved, scared and often abused. Many of these poor pooches will never make it out of the shelter to have the life that they truly deserve. They will die alone and scared - never having the comfort of a warm bed, the security of knowing when their next meal will be or the love of an owner who cares for them.
When you adopt a dog you save two lives. The dog who you adopted and the dog who will take his place in the shelter. Most shelters are overcrowded and unfortunately can only hold so many dogs. Those who have been there the longest, those who are older and those with health conditions are the first to be euthanized when the shelter reaches capacity. Even if you do not save one of those pups, adopting any dog still frees up a space for another dog to come in and allows these other dogs the chance to live to see another day. Additionally, if you adopt vs. buying a puppy from a pet store or online, you are fighting the never ending battle against puppy mills and deplorable breeding tactics and living conditions.
Dogs who are rescued from shelters always seem to have a special glow about them. It is as if they know that they were saved and are undoubtedly and infinitely grateful to their new owners. They finally are able to experience freedom, peace, love and security and know that they have been given a second chance in life. You can certainly see the new found happiness in their eyes - and their tail wagging! People who that say money can't buy happiness have never paid an adoption fee. And not only are you filling your new furry friend with joy - you will also be over the moon from the loyalty and affection that your adopted dog will give you.
This brings us to our next point - adoption fees. Many times when you adopt a dog, they will already be spayed/neutered, fully vetted and up to date on shots and vaccinations. They also might be microchipped! If you were to purchase a dog - you would incur all of these costs on your own - plus whatever you paid for the dog. Some folks want a “purebred” dog - which is totally understandable - but also can be expensive. Did you know that may shelters and rescue organizations have purebred dogs as well? You just have to look for them! There are even some “breed specific” rescues out there where you can look to find the specific type of dog that you are looking for. Not only is adopting a dog saving a life, it is also saving you some money!
Another benefit to adopting a dog is that many times, shelter/rescue workers will give you some behavioral information on the dog. Is he/she good with other dogs, cats and/or children? Would they benefit from a playmate? Are they active or a couch potato? Of course this is not always the case as many times a dog’s history is unknown. Rescues also often provide support for adopters while they are acclimating a new dog to their home.
Saving one dog will not change the world but to that one dog, the world will change forever. If you are interested in more information about adopting a dog, please reach out to your local shelter or rescue group. You can also contact It’s Ruff Without a Roof in Northeast PA or Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue in NYC. Both of these organizations work with high-kill shelters in the rural south to save as many of these poor innocent dogs as possible and to help find forever homes for them.