Obama will adopt a dog for his daughters - Why that's important and tips for adopting a family dog

One of the millions of shelter animals in need of a good home
Source: obamafamilydog.com

President-elect Barack Obama announced in his victory speech earlier this week that he will be getting a dog for his daughters when they move into the White House.

Today the organization The Best Friends Network announced that the Obamas have decided to adopt a dog instead of buying one. On its website obamafamilydog.com, the group says, "Michelle Obama announced on "Entertainment Tonight" that the family will indeed, "adopt a rescue dog."

No word yet on what type of dog they'll be getting or what they'll name the little guy.

This is huge news for pet rescue groups and for the millions of homeless pets across the US.

Temma Martin, spokesperson for the Utah Animal Adoption Center (one of the thousands of pet rescue centers in the US), says:

If the Obamas do as they have suggested and choose to adopt a shelter puppy, rather than getting one from a breeder or pet store, they will not only be making a wonderful, socially responsible decision, they will be sending a powerful message that has the potential to save countless lives.
If a shelter dog is good enough for the White House, they're certainly good enough for every house! Their decision to adopt will elevate the status of shelter pets, and bring awareness to the enormous number of healthy, happy purebreds and mixed breeds waiting for loving homes in our nation's shelters.
More than a quarter of all homeless dogs are purebreds, so even if they decide they want a particular breed, like a poodle, they can easily find hundreds to choose from in shelters and animal rescue groups across the country. Shelters have always received many purebreds, but with the economy in crisis, people are losing homes and jobs and deciding to give up pets who cost them hundreds of dollars to purchase just months or even weeks before. 

"In America's shelters, millions of purebred and mixed breed dogs are killed each year. Millions. And despite what some groups may want you to believe, the majority of these dogs are not sick, are not vicious, are not old. They are loving, healthy, adoptable dogs who just need a second chance. These dogs are victims of today's throwaway society, and we all, as a society, need to do better by them," says The Best Friends Network website.

Martin adds, "Given the heartbreaking fact that millions of happy, healthy dogs are euthanized in shelters each year in our country, the Obamas have an incredible opportunity to set an example and welcome a pet into their family from a shelter or rescue group. What an honor it would be for the "First Dog" to have come from a shelter!

"According to the White House website's history of presidential pets, only two dogs have ever even been mixed breeds, Yuki, who belonged to President Johnson, and Skip, who lived with President Roosevelt, and it appears none has ever come from a shelter. The Obamas have the chance to make history again, by choosing to save a life and adopt a puppy for Malia and Sasha.  This simple act will show all potential pet parents in America that adopted animals are worthy of a second chance no matter who you are or how much money or power you have," says Martin.

The Best Friends Network lists these reasons for why everyone should adopt instead of buy a pet:

• An adopted pet is a life saved
• Rescued pets love you just as much (if not more!)
• Mutts are one-of a kind
• Purebreds need rescuing too
• You can find any size, age, color temperament at a shelter or rescue group
• Rescuing a pet is the socially responsible choice
• Rescued pets are already spayed or neutered (what a bargain)
• Adopting decreases demand for dogs from puppy mills
• You can be proud of your rescued dog

If you want to follow in the foot steps of the First Family-elect, here are a few tips that Martin shared with me for families looking to adopt a dog:

• Although shelters have many purebreds to choose from, mixed breeds make wonderful family pets as well, since they tend to be healthier and have more stable temperaments than many purebreds who may have genetic or behavioral problems due to careless breeding.
  
• Picking a mixed breed is also rewarding because they often display the positive traits of both parents, and this type of "recipe" can result in a perfect blend of a variety of great qualities.
  
• One thing for families with young children to consider is that the smaller toy breeds tend to have less patience with little ones, so it may be wise to consider looking at a bigger breed, or wait until the children are older. There are always exceptions, but small dogs seem to be more nervous and feel especially vulnerable to rough handling, so unless an individual dog has come from a family with small kids and has proven himself to be child-friendly, it's best not to mix toy dogs with toddlers.
  
• Certain breeds have reputations for being intolerant of children as well, so these should be ruled out during the  breed-research phase.
  
• Once a family knows approximately what they are looking for, they can go to a national website like petfinder.com, where thousands of shelters and rescue groups post photos and descriptions of the animals in their care. They can search by size or breed and see animals available all over the country, or they can search by location, and see what's up for adoption at the shelters in their town.
  
• And of course, families can make an event out of visiting their local shelters and rescue groups to meet their potential pet in person. It's always a good idea to introduce the whole family, including all the children to the dog or puppy at the shelter, before bringing him or her home. That way the parents can see how the pet interacts with the children, and also how the children feel about the dog. It's better to find out if a child is afraid or if a dog is protective of toys or treats before adopting the pet and bringing it home.

I personally have an adopted dog and three adopted cats all from rescue shelters. And they're all fabulous! If you're thinking of getting an animal for your family, please start at the animal shelters. You never know what loving little creature you can find there!

This happens to be American Shelter's week. You can read more about how you can take part in that and help animals in need without bringing one into your own home if it's already too full HERE.