Bobbi Leder: Euri, My Rescued English Cocker Spaniel
Puppies are adorable so it’s so easy to see why so many people buy them from breeders, but did you know that it can be rewarding and a much better choice to adopt a rescue dog?
Listed below are ten reasons why you should consider dog adoption (as originally outlined by Mary and Doug Clark from the Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.).
#10 – No Housebreaking Required
Rescue dogs are often housebroken and since they are not puppies, they are able to hold their bladder longer. No housetraining makes for a much easier transition into a new home. But be sure to continue to enforce the good behavior by praising the dog when he goes outside.
#9 – No House Destruction
Because rescue dogs are already past the puppy teething stage, they are less likely to destroy your house. Your furniture legs, clothes, and your carpet will all be safe because rescue dogs can be left in the house without you worrying that your belongings will be destroyed when you come home.
*Of course a new dog might suffer from separation anxiety and could react accordingly, but for the most part, adult dogs will not destroy their new home due to teething.
#8 – You can Sleep
Puppies will keep new owners up all night with their whimpering and need to go out, but adult rescue dogs will be past that stage. A new dog can be frightened the first few nights but once he understands that he is in his new forever home and you have established a schedule, he will settle quickly into a routine and not keep his new owners up all night.
*Tip: Keeping your dog's crate or bed near yours is a good idea so he doesn’t feel isolated.
#7 – You can Relax
A new puppy will keep you on your toes 24 hours a day but with an adult rescue dog, you won’t have to worry about cleaning up a mess from the dog, or what he’s up to when you’re trying to watch TV or read the newspaper.
#6 – Veterinary Trips
Because puppies require so many vaccinations and trips to the veterinarian during their first year, you won’t go back and forth as often or spend as much money initially. A rescue dog will be up-to-date with shots, spayed or neutered, and already on heartworm medication.
#5 – You Can Pick the Perfect Match
When you see an adult rescue dog, you know what he’s already like. However, when you get a puppy it’s uncertain as to what his temperament, personality or size will be. You can get a sense based on the parents, but puppies don’t always turn out to be like their parents. What if you get the one puppy in the litter that has a bad temperament or grows to be much larger than you had expected?
With a puppy, you just don’t know what you’re getting. You might buy a puppy thinking he will be your new running partner, but when he grows up, he can turn out to be a couch potato. With a rescue, you know exactly what you are getting and can select accordingly. The rescue groups work hard to find the right family for each dog.
#4 – No Biting
Imagine not having to put up with a biting puppy all of the time. You won’t have to worry about your family and friends being nipped by a teething puppy if you adopt a rescue dog.
#3 – A New Best Friend
A rescue dog will be happy to go with you everywhere and is a ready-made best friend. You won’t have to wait for him to grow up. Instead of spending time cleaning up after a new puppy, you can spend that time bonding with your new rescue.
#2 – A Strong Bond
Rescue dogs are very appreciative that their new owners chose them. If they had a particularly bad start in life and you give them everything they ever dreamed of, they will be forever grateful. Rescue dogs want to please their new owners so they’ll be very well behaved, and the bond between you and your new rescue will become deeper and more meaningful. Rescue dogs are very loyal, affectionate, and will be your forever best friend.
#1 – Control the Dog Population
Not only will you help keep the dog population down, but you’ll also save a life. What better reason to adopt a rescue dog?
Comments
Love your article! I will say that rescuing may not be for everyone as both my dogs have their own "quirks" that come from whatever happened to them before we got them. The male is so happy in his new home that he feels compelled to mark, oh, anything left on the floor. The female has separation anxiety and will shred paper if she can find it when we're out. However, the bonds are so strong with these two dogs in particular and our family, any "accidents" are minor setbacks. I will always and forever adopt a rescued dog for the rest of my life.
i found my most recent rescue dog through petharbor.com. if you search for "lost" pets, you can see the animals who have recently been brought to BARC & HCPHES but aren't available for adoption yet. if you see a pet you like, you can then go to the shelter & let them know you want to be "first in line" to adopt the animal when its 72 hour waiting period has passed.
Great reasons and a great article, Bobbi!
Cathy Doheny
Organ and Tissue Donor Examiner
Charlotte International Adoption Examiner
Couldn't agree more! I love my 4 year old rescue dog. He was housebroken, loving and good with my son. Much better than a puppy.
Great list. Go Euri,go Euri,go Euri... :)
This is a wonderful list Bobbi. #1 is the bet reason, everyone should rescue a dog instead of supporting breeders. There are already so many dogs that need a good home. I also like all your reasons about how they are already trained, which means less headache and work.
Thank you for posting! I'm always frustrated when people insist on puppies because I just don't understand it! Here's the beginning of another list from HappyTailsBooks(dot)com:
If Rescued Dogs Could Talk...
...they would ask you to consider dog adoption for the following reasons:
Many times, rescued dogs come from good, caring people who experienced an unfortunate change in their situation. Examples of this include when people need to go into nursing care, have an illness or lose their jobs. The dogs in these situations are usually potty trained, have a good temperament and are in good health.
Rescued dogs come in all shapes, sizes and emotional states – there is one out there that fits your needs and personality
Rescue groups have return policies in case the dog doesn’t work out. In fact, most rescue groups require you to return your dog if she/he isn’t a good fit. There is no shame in this as the result is usually a better life for you and the dog...
YES! We found a stray that we took in, named Buddy, and he is just the best. Just like you said, there was no house breaking or sleepless nights. Just a lot of love from the best dog ever.
I wish we had thought of all of this before we got our puppy, but he was free and in need of a good home. We essentially rescued him before he was sent off to the shelter, or a ditch.
These are good points to consider.
You know I feel! Rescued dogs are the best. I rescued my first dog at 8 years old, and haven't looked back since.
Great article! I'm a huge advocate for rescued furry-friends. I'm glad to see others out there are just as supportive towards loving and misplaced animals ISO a new forever home.
#11 Because the dogs need you to rescue them. I've volunteered in dog rescue for 8 years, and there are always more dogs who need rescuing than there are volunteers.
But let's not forget, that there are a fair number of puppies that need rescuing too. I have fostered 19 puppies under 6 months old whom their owners discovered too late that they shed, drool, bite, and aren't the perfect dog when they come home for the first time.
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