Rescue Dogs- Should I Adopt or Not?

We have chatted before about adopting a rescue dog and, although it is a wonderful thing to do and a needy pup may finally get a forever home, we should do our homework before we go out and adopt the first sorrowful pup we see.

Before you jump the gun, make sure that you are dealing with a reputable animal shelter or a well-organized and established animal rescue group. There are lots of shelters and rescue groups out there, but not all of them are reliable sources to adopt a pet from.

As with any pet, when you and your family decide to adopt, be sure that you are not only financially able to make the commitment to adopt, but that you will also have the time and patience needed to bring a new family member into your home.

Take a good look at your current life style – do you have a home with a yard, do you want a fairly young, active dog that will need lots of exercise, are there young children in your family or are there any mobility issues. All of these things must be taken into account as this will impact on the breed of dog you should be looking at to adopt.

If you have a family with children, be sure that the children are old enough to be with a dog with minimal supervision and that the breed you choose is a child friendly dog that has not previously been so badly abused that it may become aggressive. If your mobility is limited or you live in a condo or apartment, perhaps you may be better suited to a small dog breed that doesn’t require as much activity.

There are rescue groups for almost any breed of dog that you are looking for – small, large, shedding or non-shedding, family type dogs and one-man type dogs, so the first step is to decide what is right for you and go from there. Once you have decided and agreed on the type of dog you want to adopt, start by going to a rescue site and looking at the dogs that are available for adoption that fit your criteria.

When you find a dog that you think might be suitable for you, find out as much as you can about the dog. Get information on its past or why the dog was surrendered or the conditions under which the dog came into the rescue. All of these things can help you determine if you are up to the challenge of bringing this dog into your lives and having him or her become a loving family member. If possible, it’s always advisable to speak to the person or family who may be fostering the dog, as they will have a feel for the dog and know its good and not so good habits.

If you do find the right dog for you, be sure that you will be able to give the dog proper training. In some cases this may also include house training if the dog has never had the chance to live in a home. If your dog is a large breed or a little out of control because he has never been properly trained, or has separation anxiety, you may want to consult with a professional trainer to help you get over the hurdles.

So go ahead and start your search for that special four legged friend that desperately needs a loving forever home. If you feel you may not be up to the challenge why not try fostering a needy soul first, which will not obligate you if it doesn’t work out but may benefit both of you.

If you want to adopt a dog and think you may need a bit of help choosing the right one,please contact us and we’ll help you make the right choice.

Have you adopted a dog recently? Let us know in the comments below how your new family member is doing?