Why Adopt a Shelter or Rescue Dog

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Recommended: The advantages ofkeeping pets

Once the decision has been made to adopt a homeless animal from a shelter, one must consider what animal is suitable for their lifestyle. Dogs are remarkable creatures that come in all shapes and sizes and have been man’s best friend for over 30,000 years (Stanglin, 2012). Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue awards many benefits. Shelter and rescue groups offer an array of dogs that vary in size, color, and age; thus, allowing one to adopt a seemly companion. Despite the efforts of animal shelters and rescue groups, “5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized” (“Pet Statistics,”). Dogs give their owners companionship and unconditional love; and are also conducive to good health. Plus, saving a dog’s life makes you a hero.

First, adopting a dog allows you to search for and find an exact match. Be aware of your hopes and wishes before selecting a dog breed; likewise, be informed about the size, temperament, grooming needs, and health issues of different breeds. It is a ridiculous, but popular belief that when adopting a dog you do not know what you are getting (“Shooting down common,” 2009). On the contrary, all shelters and rescue groups guide health and behavior screenings before a shelter animal is available for adoption (Kirby, p. 64-65). Almost all shelter and rescue dogs are spayed or neutered (Kirby, p.69-70). Shelters and groups provide detailed information, including the age, breed, and demeanor, upon request (Kirby, p.66-67). Since the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match program launched in 2004, pairing an adopter’s preferences with a dog’s habits and traits has become increasingly easy. Using available resources can guarantee ...

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...eved from http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/KS19.html

9. Pets for the elderly: Research. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://petsfortheelderly.org/research.html

10. Nicholson, D. (2012, February 7). Women with HIV/AIDS pets make a difference. Examiner.com. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/women-s-health-in-detroit/women-with-hiv-aids-pets-make-a-difference

11. Pet ownership reduces stress, benefits health. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/pet-ownership-reduces-stress-benefits-health/

12. Wells, D.L. (2007). Domestic dogs and human health: An overview. [Electronic]. “British Journal of Health Psychology,” 1(12), p.145-156. doi: 10.1248/135910706X103284.

13. Woolf, N. (2012, January 9). Are there too many dogs and cats? naiaonline.org. Retrieved from http://www.naiaonline.org/naia-library/articles/are-there-too-many-dogs-and-cats/

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