Good Reasons To Adopt A Shelter Dog

Just as there are many ways to obtain a dog, there are many good reasons to adopt a shelter dog. In this article, we will be talking about the benefits and advantages of adopting.

Good Reasons To Adopt A Shelter Dog

• Cost of adopting a dog:  Buying a purebred dog can cost you a lot of money, whereas adopting from a local SPCA should cost you only a few bucks. The usual price for adoption fees cost less than $200, and many charge much less than that. But if you want a purebred for a pet, why not check out the local shelters anyway? Statistically, almost 25% of the canines in shelters are purebreds, so you should have a wide selection of breeds to choose from.
• Save money on spaying and neutering:  Dogs (and even cats) that live in the shelter are usually already spayed or neutered, so that makes things more convenient for you. The shelter will usually add an additional fee if the dog that you are going to adopt isn’t spayed or neutered yet, but at a discounted price. Sometimes, this service may also be free when you adopt a dog.
• Discounts on training:  There are some shelters that offer training discounts, so you can save money for obedience classes. In fact, the reason why most dogs are given up by their former owners is because they do not have the patience and/or time to train the dog. A training program with basic commands and walking with the leash is normal to get your dog started.
• It reduces pet overpopulation:  Typically there is already overcrowding in shelters? In fact, each year, about 6 to 8 million canines and felines all over the world end up in these shelters. And of these, at least half are euthanized.
• Discourage puppy mills:  Puppy mills are among the most disgusting things in the pet world. They mass produce hundreds and thousands of puppies every year, but in a very inhumane way. The parent dogs (the breeders) are kept inside a cage to breed for the rest of their lives, without any freedom. And because they are born and raised this way, puppy behavior might not be as good as normal puppies and they might end up having physical, health or emotional problems.  Adopting from a shelter discourages puppy mills by reducing their market.
• A wider selection of pets and breeds:  Whether it is a dog or a cat that you are looking for, shelters have tons of breeds and types for you to choose from. There are big, small, old and younger ones, depending on your preferences. Other types of pets, like hamsters and iguanas, can also be available at these shelters.
• Avoiding the puppy stage:  Most shelter dogs have already been housebroken and have already been through the teething stages, which means no more puppy training problems for you.
• Hybrid vigor:  This is a term which corresponds to the theory that dogs will be stronger if they are mixed with other breeds to prevent inherited diseases and health problems. In fact, about 75% dogs in shelters are mixed breeds.

And probably the best of the good reasons to adopt a shelter dog: You’ll save TWO lives, a point I had never considered until reading the following in a HumaneSociety.org article:

The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. By adopting from a private humane society or animal shelter, breed rescue group, or the local animal control agency, you’ll help save the lives of two animals—the pet you adopt and a homeless animal somewhere who can be rescued because of space you helped free up.

So if you’re thinking of adding a dog to your family, be sure to give serious consideration to these good reasons to adopt a shelter dog. You will most likely be pleased with the results.

Have you had good results with a shelter dog in the past? I have had some excellent dogs that I got from shelters, including one purebred golden retriever! Please feel free to share your experiences below.