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Choosing A Shelter Dog
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Deciding to adopt a shelter dog is a noble choice. Every year, millions of pets end up at shelters around the country and the overwhelming majority of them end up being euthanized. They are killed not because they weren't cute enough or sweet enough; they are killed because there aren't enough people to adopt them. Which is sad really, because most of them once had homes.
The reasons dogs end up at the shelter are varied but most of them fall into one of these categories:
1. Abandoned./Surrendered. This means they were given up by their owners. Sometimes it's because of a life change like moving, having kids, health issues, or even the death of an owner. Sometimes the reason is behavioral - barking problems, aggression, destructiveness, training problems, etc. Othertimes the reasons given are 'too big', 'sheds too much', or even 'not what I expected'. Sometimes no reason is given. Abandoned dogs are typically the result of spontaneous purchases, pets gifted to someone else, or improperly researched choices (ill-fitting environments can lead to a number of behavioral problems - i.e. big dogs confined to a small space can become destructive solely because they are bored and under-exercised). And sometimes, an unspayed pet gets loose and returns pregnant and the owners surrender the puppies to the Shelter.
2. Neglected/Rescued. These are dogs who've been mistreated by their former owners and have been voluntarily or involuntarily given to the shelter. Dogs seized from puppy mills, 'collectors', criminals, etc, are also in this category.
3. Strays. These are dogs who were picked up by Animal Control wandering free and haven't been claimed. It's rare for these dogs to have been born in the wild b/c the majority of them are familiar enough with people to make that scenario improbable. As is the case more of ten than not, they ran away from home and never made it back. Sometimes these same dogs, if they aren't spayed, end up having litters and litters of puppies who also end up at the Shelter.
So you see, the sheer majority of shelter dogs are good pets waiting for good owners who can commit to them, have realistic expectations, and are knowlegeable about their choice. And not all dogs in shelters are mixed breeds; according to some recent statistics, nearly one half of all shelter dogs are purebreeds. So whether you're looking for a purebreed dog or not, you should always consider the Shelter as a viable option.
Regardless of where you get your dog, breeder or shelter, you should know beforehand what kind, size, and temperament suit your lifestyle. That way, you don't wind up choosing a dog that is patently ill-fitting for you and have to return him/her to the shelter again. Those kinds of things are truly stressful for a dog.
Once you've researched dog ownership and made an informed decision about the kinds, size, breed/mix, acceptable ages, etc of the dog you'd like to get, frequent your local shelter weekly for several weeks. Take time to find the dog that fits most of your criteria; don't bring home the first cute face if it doesn't meet your needs. If you have the time, visit other nearby shelters too. Talk to the shelter workers about dogs you've noticed. Ask if they've been temperament-tested. As about their known history. Ask about the shelter's observations of that particular dog. You'd be surprised to know that shelter workers are usually passionate about animals and can be very helpful and informative. Spend a little bit of time alone with the dog in the pre-adoption room so you can better observe his/her personality but be aware that all the traits of his/her behavior won't be visible because of the limited time, his/her unfamiliarity with you, and the new environment. But you will be able to observe some core aspects of his/her temperament - shy, skittish, reserved, energetic, playful, etc. The time in the room can make or break your decision to take that dog home so it's important to do it.
Other Factors To Consider:
- If you're there to pick a dog for your child, it's even more crucial to do the requisite research so you can choose an appropriate dog for the family.
- Don't let the child choose because they can't make an educated decision. If possible, pre-choose likely candidates in a prior trip alone before bringing the child and then take the child to meet each of the pre-chosen dogs and let him or her choose from them.
- Abused and neglected dogs especially need homes with time, love, and patience to acclimate and learn to trust people again. If you have a busy schedule and don't plan to be home much or you have a very busy household with lots of other animals or children, a previously abused dog most likely won't be able to get the one-on-one time he/she needs to heal emotionally. If you do have the time and the patience, these dogs can become the most appreciative, loving, and loyal pets.
- And lastly, whether you do or do not end up getting a pet from the shelter, if you can spare it, donate a little something (even a few bucks will help) on your way in or out. This act of kindness will go a long way in helping them stay open and continue to provide services for you and the animals who need them.
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