"Why on earth would anyone want to adopt an adult rescue or shelter dog? After all, aren't they like used cars? Who wants someone else's problems? If the dog is so wonderful, why would anyone give him away? If he was a stray, why didn't someone try to find him? I'd rather buy a puppy so I know what I'm getting, and besides they're so cute!"
Rescue groups and shelters often hear a variation of this conversation. Many prospective dog guardians are just not convinced that bringing an older (i.e., 6 mo.+) dog into the family is better than buying a puppy. But there are a number of reasons why adopting a pet from a rescue shelter that carefully screens and evaluates its dogs can provide an even better alternative.
Here Are Some Great Reasons Why You Should Consider an Adult Rescue Dog
In a Word--Housebroken. With most family members gone during the work week for 8 hours or more, housetraining a puppy and its small bladder can take awhile. Puppies need a consistent schedule with frequent opportunities to eliminate where you want them to. They can't wait for the boss to finish his meeting or the kids to come home from after-school activities. An older dog can "hold it" much more reliably for longer time periods, and usually the rescued dog has been housebroken before he is adopted.
Intact Underwear. With a chewy puppy, you can count on at least 10 mismatched pairs of socks and a variety of unmentionables rendered to the "rag bag" before he cuts every tooth. And don't even think about shoes! Also, you can expect holes in your carpet (along with the urine stains), pages missing from books, stuffing exposed from couches, and at least one dead remote control. No matter how well you watch them, it will happen--this is a puppy's job! An older dog can usually have run of the house without destroying it.
A Good Night's Sleep. Forget the alarm clocks and hot water bottles, a puppy can be very demanding at 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. He misses his littermates, and that stuffed animal will not make a puppy pile with him. If you have children, you've been there and done that. How about a little peace and quiet? How about an older rescue dog??
Finish the Newspaper. With a puppy running amok in your house, do you think you will be able to relax when you get home from work? Do you think your kids will really feed him, clean up the messes, take him for a walk in the pouring rain every hour to get him housetrained? With an adult dog, it will only be the kids running amok, because your dog will be sitting calmly next to you, while your workday stress flows away and your blood pressure lowers as you pet him.
Easier Vet Trips. Those puppies need their series of puppy shots, then their rabies shot, then a trip to be altered, maybe an emergency trip or two if they've chewed something dangerous. Those puppy visits can add up. Your donation to the shelter when adopting an older pup should get you a dog with all shots current, already altered, and heartworm negative at the minimum.
What You See Is What You Get. How big will that puppy be? What kind of temperament will he have? Will he be easily trained? Will his personality be what you were hoping for? How active will he be? When adopting an older dog from a rescue, all of those questions are easily answered. You can pick large or small; active or couch potato; goofy or brilliant; sweet or sassy. The shelter's employees and its foster homes can guide you to pick the right match.
Matchmaker Make Me a Match. Puppy love is often no more than an attachment to a look or a color. It is not much of a basis on which to make a relationship that will hopefully last 15+ years. While that puppy may have been the cutest of the litter, he may grow up to be super active (when what you wanted was a couch buddy); she may be a couch princess (when what you wanted was a tireless hiking companion); he may want to spend every waking moment in the water (while you're a landlubber); or she may want to be an only child (while you are intending to have kids or more animals). Pet mis-matches are one of the top reasons rescues get "give-up" phone calls. Good shelters do extensive evaluating of both their dogs and their applicants to be sure that both dog and family will be happy with each other until death do them part.
Instant Companion. With an older dog, you automatically have a buddy that can go everywhere and do everything with you NOW. You will have been able to select the most compatible dog: one that travels well; one that loves to play with your friends' dogs; one with excellent house manners.
Rescue Dog Bond. Dogs who have been uprooted from their happy homes or have not had the best start in life are more likely to bond deeply with their new people. Those who have lost their families through death, divorce or lifestyle change go through a terrible mourning process. Those dogs that are just learning about the good life and good people seem to bond even deeper. They know what life on the streets or life on the end of a chain is all about They revel and blossom in a nurturing, loving environment. Most rescued dogs make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions.
Unfortunately, many folks think dogs that end up in shelters are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for shelters to get pure bred dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their novelty with impulsive pet guardians who considered their dog a possession rather than a friend or member of the family. Sometimes, dogs are given up because previous owners did not really consider the time, effort and expense needed to be a dog caretaker. Not all breeders will accept "returns", so choices for giving up dogs can be limited to animal welfare organizations, such as shelters, or the guardians trying to place their own dogs. Good shelters will evaluate the dog before accepting him/her (medically and behaviorally), rehabilitate if necessary, and adopt the animal only when he/she is ready and to a home that matches and is realistic about the commitment necessary to provide the dog with the best home possible.
Beyond doing a "good deed", adopting a rescue dog can be the best decision and addition to the family you could ever make.
Rescue a dog and get a devoted friend for life!
LRR, Inc is credited for the information on this page.
