Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Rescue Dog

Many people have a preconceived notion that the dogs that end up in shelters and with rescue organizations are undesirable. No one would get rid of a dog if it were loving and affectionate, right? The sad truth is that a good number of excellent companions get dropped off at shelters and rescues for financial and personal reasons that have nothing to do with the temperament of the animal. So before you think about buying a puppy as your new furry friend, consider adopting a more mature rescue dog.

  1. Lots of Choice

    • Whether you go to the local shelter or a rescue organization, there are many dogs to choose from. Big, small and everything in between, between 20-30% of the dogs you will find here are actual pedigreed breeds. There is bound to be a dog with the personality to match your lifestyle.

    Fixed and Ready to Go

    • Any county-run shelter or certified rescue group will have given all of the necessary shots to the dog as well as spayed or neutered it. Some shelters will have your dog microchipped and treated for fleas, as well. Normally these are all additional fees on top of the fee to purchase the puppy if you were to buy from a private party or breeder.

    No Puppyhood

    • Anyone that has ever gotten a new puppy knows that you are in for some sleepless nights. The new puppy, away from its litter is extremely lonely, and it shows this by howling all throughout the night. It has no idea where an appropriate place to do its business is, and it likes to chew on everything. A grown dog has already gone through the trials of puppyhood, and gotten a lot of its mischief out of its system.

    Easier to Train

    • You don't have to take the time to train them and discipline them because many times they've already been through it in their foster care, or at their previous household. If they have not been trained in certain ways, then the amount that they take to pick things up is greatly reduced due to the socialization that they go through.

    Find an Instant Companion

    • Many of these dogs have had a less than stellar life, ending up in shelters or rescue groups due to neglect or worse. A dog with a poor start in their life experience is more eager to be a part of a loving household and will be more apt to bond with its new-found owner, much more quickly than a puppy.

    No Surprises

    • With a puppy, there is always somewhat of a mystery as to how they will age into a grown dog. Many are surprised at how large they can get, others by how they appear as a puppy compared to how they look as an adult. With a rescue, you already know what your dog's personality is, right off the bat.

    Not Supporting a "Puppy Mill"

    • When you adopt from a shelter or rescue organization, you support an effort to put puppy mills out of business. A puppy mill is a strictly for profit, inhumane breeder that have their dogs in deplorable conditions in small cages. They breed pedigrees that are genetically defective and unhealthy.

    Good Life Lesson

    • Adopting a rescue dog is also a great opportunity to teach any children that you may have in your life about the importance of getting a second chance. Being compassionate towards an animal that didn't have a great start in life is a great life lesson to learn.

    Save a Life

    • Many of the shelters just don't have the capacity to let their animals live out their lives within their care. After a set amount of time, these shelters will put their animals on what some call the "Red List," which means that they have a short time left before they must euthanize them. Rescuing a dog saves two lives--the dog you rescued and the dog that can take your dog's spot at the shelter.

    Improve Your Mood

    • Knowing that you have done a good thing by supporting adoption is excellent in itself, but your new dog will also have an effect on your physical, emotional and psychological health. Your new furry friend will undoubtedly improve your mood.