This ‘Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet’ Week: Give a Home to a Less Adoptable Dog

We all know that shelters nationwide are overflowing with animals who need homes. With that said, PetFinder.com created ‘Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week’ to recognize those animals who may get overlooked for a variety of reasons.

Many shelter dogs make wonderful companions – no matter the look or age of the dog – and yet, puppies remain the most popular choice for most families. In honor of the celebration, we wanted to recognize some of the “less popular” types of dogs that may actually be the best choice for your family.

Older dogs-“Old Dogs Rule” as the saying goes, and we couldn’t agree more! Older dogs have many years of wisdom and experience to give, and who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks? If given the chance, many older dogs become wonderful companions for families who may not have time to train a puppy. Many older dogs know a wide variety of commands, such as walking well on a leash, which make it easier for them to pick up new, healthy habits with positive reinforcement.

Dogs with medical conditions- Who hasn’t been on medication at one time in their life or another? The same goes for dogs. Often, shelter dogs are diagnosed with lifelong medical conditions. But with the right family who can offer some additional TLC and understanding about their medical condition(s), those dogs will never take that family for granted. It also teaches us to be more accepting of people’s vulnerabilities.

Dogs with behavioral issues- Just like with people, there is no perfect dog. Many behavioral issues, such as going to the bathroom in the house or not interacting well with other dogs, can be resolved with proper dog training and guidance. With dog training experts available nationwide, as well as many shelters who have an on-site dog trainer, there are solutions to many behavioral issues. With some consistent training, those issues can be resolved.

Dogs that shed frequently- Let’s face it, some dogs shed more than others. While we all love a clean home, sometimes dog hair can end up in the craziest of places! No matter how much you seem to clean your house, we will always discover dog hair. A wide variety of products are available to help clean dog hair, designed exclusively for dogs who shed a lot, as well as grooming solutions such as furminating your dog. While some people may shave or cut their dog’s hair short, there are some dog breeds who don’t do well with short hair and may grow back different. It’s best to talk with a professional pet groomer on what’s best for your dog and your dog’s breed. Also, good nutrition with high-quality ingredients such as Zignature dog food can lead to your dog having a healthier coat which in turn can lead to less shedding.

Black dogs- I grew up with a wonderful black lab who was a rescue, and he was extremely loving. For some reason, black dogs tend to get overlooked at shelters. It’s important to remember when you’re visiting a shelter that loving companions come in all shapes, sizes, breeds, and colors. Get to know the dog on a one-on-one level at the shelter and then determine if he or she is a good fit for your family. If you’ve been considering expanding your family, Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week is a fantastic time to visit your local shelter and look at the shelter dogs with a new set of eyes, keeping the above points in mind.

Latasha Ball is the Marketing Coordinator for Pets Global, the founders of pet food brands Zignature, Essence Pet Foods and Fussie Cat. She has more than 10 years of experience in marketing and public relations in which she enjoys being able to combine her professional background with her passion for animals.