Dog Adoption Can Feel Incredibly Rewarding

Whether you’re looking to adopt a furry friend for yourself, or find a new family pet, people everywhere often choose a dog. Dogs are dependable and loyal. They are perfect as a friend or as a protector. Dogs often make up the perfect pet.

There’s many things to consider before you get a dog though. Getting a dog is a long term commitment. While dog life spans don’t match that of a human, most live from 8 to 18 years at a time. Therefore you’re getting into a long term commitment situation. The revelation in recent years about the lack of health from puppies coming from puppy mills has also managed to increase the amount of organizations working to rescue animals in bad situations and help them find their ownership. Some people view rescue animals as status symbols. A sign of the “good” they are doing. Most simply see them as an animal that wanted and needed a second chance.

Things to Consider Before Adopting

When you’re considering adopting a dog, you need to consider your living situation. Dogs need room to move. They need exercise and mental stimulation. If you’re unable to provide these things, then the dog may become unruly or destructive.

In addition, the kind of dog you get is going to change the way your life moves. A puppy is going to require thorough training and a lot of time and effort. Puppies often can’t be left alone for long periods of time. If you work long hours, then a puppy may be a mistake. Adult dogs have different needs, but still need regular walks and attention.

There are many different breeds of dogs that have different attitudes and needs as well. Finding the right breed and temperment of dogs can be difficult due to the large number of breeds out there.

How to Adopt

Once you’ve decided on the type of dog, you need to decide how you want to adopt. There are many ways to find a dog to adopt. Rescue centers are common. These find dogs in bad situations. They can be localized bad situations, or dogs imported from countries where they are treated terribly. From there, they socialize and help the dog heal. Placement from a rescue center is different from other dog adoption options because they take applications. They want to ensure that a dog they have rescued is in turn placed in a home where it will thrive. Once they know the house and the yard are appropriate, they approve the adoption. Costs will typically be moderate, but the animal will be in great health and properly spayed or neutered.

The next best place to go is a reputable breeder. These breeders are vetted and licensed to ensure they are only using proper and humane techniques. Breeders are a far more expensive option. Purebred puppies can run thousands of dollars. They often have more health problems as well. Despite this, some people do fall in love with specific breeds.

Rescue Centers and Charities

As mentioned before, rescue centers are very popular. However, due to their nature, there’s no overarching rescue center across the nation. Rescue centers tend to be localized within a few hundred miles. Checking with your vet can point you towards various rescue centers in your area. You can also use the internet to find rescue centers and check out the animals they have ready for adoption and often make an application. Puppies are often in high demand at rescue centers, so it’s good to stay up to date.

One thing to consider is that the vast majority of these are not for profit situations. Animal rescue center dog charities provide a way to help people contribute to the welfare and lives of animals even if you choose not to adopt one. Many rely on donations and benefits to remain full life centers. If you are considering giving to one, speak to them. Some are considered registered charities and as such, can provide tax benefits.