LOVE YOUR PETS?
Let Them Stay Home When You Can't!
Bonded & Insured
Scottsdale, AZ
480.330.4552
info@bellashouseandpets.com
Bella's VIP Club
Why don’t more people adopt rescue dogs?
Let’s say you wanted a Golden Retriever puppy. What’s the first place you would look for that dog? If you said something other than rescue or shelter, you’re not alone. The fact is you can get the dog of your dreams from a shelter or rescue – and save a life in the process. Here are some myths about adopting rescue dogs (and the truth behind them).
Myth 1:Rescue dogs are mutts. You can’t know what to expect in look, temperament or size.
Truth: Breed-specific rescues are around, so you don’t have to choose between getting your preferred breed and getting a rescue. A simple Google search can help you find one close to you. But there’s nothing wrong with mutts – there are plenty of absolutely wonderful dogs of unknown heritage. In fact, they tend to have less health problems, given that their genetic pool is much broader. A dog’s markings do not greatly change as they mature, and their paw size is a great indicator of how big they will get.
Myth 2:Â Shelter dogs have behavior problems, psychological problems, health problems, etc.
Truth: Not all rescue dogs have been abused or have problems. Many are there through no fault of their own – their owners lost their home, for example – and are just waiting for a new family to love. Good shelters do their best to see the dogs are healthy before they are put up for adoption. Their worst cases are often sent to special homes; they are not looking to unload them on unsuspecting families.
Myth 3:Â Rescue dogs cost too much.
Truth: Rescue dogs are a great value. The cost of a shelter dog usually includes vaccines, spaying/neutering, and some include a post-adoption vet visit. Keep in mind, breeders are in business to make money. Shelters are in business to save lives. Which do you think gives you the better value?
Myth 4:Â Shelters and rescues are picky and the screening process takes too long.
Truth: Each shelter and rescue has a different process for how they process applicants. Some are more complicated than others, but they each have one goal in mind: to find the dog a forever-home. This is a benefit to you. If they are spending this much time screening you, think of how much time they spent screening the dog for you.
Myth 5: You can’t get a puppy at a rescue or shelter.
Truth: Plenty of puppies are given up for adoption. On Petfinder.org, you can search local shelters specifically for puppies. What many people don’t realize is by being open to adopting an adult dog you can often find one past the chewing stage, already housebroken or even has some basic training.
As the proud parent of a mixed-breed pound puppy, I know there are plenty of great rescue dogs waiting for homes. Next time you’re in the market for a new addition to the family, please take a look at some rescue dogs. You might find exactly what you were looking for.
Written by Sonia Singh of PawPosse.com, a site dedicated to cool stuff for big dogs. For more dog-care tips, news and cool stuff, check out the blog at www.PawPosse.com.
My wife and I recently adopted our first Rescue dog here in Texas. (And she is the most perfect, most loving and most amazing dog ever!)
Her name is Harley and she is a Golden Retriever/Yellow Lab mix. She literally brought the concept of ‘PLAY’ to our other dogs.
I say rescue, rescue, rescue. And great article, Bella, all of your points are 100% myths!
Thank you for taking the time to educate people on shelter and rescue pets. I can perfectly back up everything you said. My first shelter dog was 5 years old and a Shepherd/Collie Mix. She was so well trained that I got compliments on her training and behavior ALL of the time. Guess what? I didn’t train her. Her previous owner did. I just got lucky enough to adopt her before someone else did.
My second dog was Aspen and was 9 years old. Fully trained. A pleasure to be around and great with kids. She was also a mix.
My last two dogs? Purebred. Daisy is a yellow lab and Jasper is a Sheltie. I invested the time into training both of them.
If people think buying a purebred dog from a breeder will eliminate behavior problems then they are mistaken. You have to TRAIN your dog. If people think they can’t get a purebreed dog from a shelter or rescue they are also mistaken. I volunteer at one. In 7 years I have seen all types of purebreed dogs: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Anatolian Shepherds, Great Danes, Shelties, Labs, Collies, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, Chihuahuas – you name it we’ve had it.
Great comments Joshua and Mel! Thanks for taking the time to respond. Please feel free to Tweet or share this link with your networks and don’t forget to sign up for notifications when we post new content!
Our family no longer breeds dogs, we rescue. Currently, we have 2 German Shepherds and 2 American Pit Bull Terriers. One German Shepherd, Zena, is Czech standard while the other, Gunner, is going to be an American sized Moose. Our Pit bulls, Flash and Emira, are the lives of the party and Flash is the Alpha.
In the early 90s, I stopped breeding German Shepherds and Dobermans because the individuals that wanted to buy our dogs weren’t families anymore, they were single people. There wasn’t the stability that was integral when I would sell a dog. So I donated my last litter of dogs to the US Military Working dog program and moved on.
You can find any variety of dog, pure or mixed breed, at shelters and rescue facilities. Currently, over breeding and abandoning of Chihuahuas and Pit Bulls continue to clog shelters centers.
Adopt, there are so many happy tails waiting to be told!
Thank you so much, Danielle, for being a “voice” for the numerous shelter dogs/pets that need homes. Arizona is second in the nation for the number of pets that have been relinquished this year. Any awareness we can create is desperately needed.