| The top reasons that most dogs are surrendered | | | | When either adopting OR buying a dog, there are |
| to shelters are 'no time', we are moving' | | | | very important decisions to make to determine if |
| 'allergies'& 'new baby' These are usually thinly | | | | the dog you are getting is right for you. |
| veiled answers for other underlying reasons. Most | | | | WHAT BREED? |
| people are usually keen to get a cuddly cute | | | | Over centuries, most dogs have been bred for |
| puppy & after a few years they realize that | | | | specific jobs. Herding dogs like Border Collies |
| the little puppy has grown into a big dog that | | | | & Australian Shepherds are usually very |
| requires trips to the vet, exercise and a lot of | | | | smart & have a low tolerance for boredom. |
| work. | | | | Hounds like Beagles & Bassett Hounds tend |
| MYTH-Only old or disabled dogs available for | | | | to be very vocal & bark a lot. Terriers like |
| adoption | | | | Jack Russells Rat Terriers are traditional 'ratting' |
| FACT-Most dogs are young, healthy & have | | | | breeds & like to hunt. Hunting Dogs like |
| been surrendered for the above reasons that I | | | | Vizslas & German Short Haired pointers are |
| previously stated. If you are really keen on | | | | bred to run & usualy quite active. |
| getting a puppy, visit the shelter often to view all | | | | WHERE DO YOU LIVE? |
| the recent surrenders. Eventually, a dog will come | | | | If you live in an apartment, an active, large dog |
| along that will perfectly suit your needs! | | | | like a Labrador Retriever might not be the best |
| MYTH-Only mixed breed dogs are available at | | | | choice. Surprisingly, dogs like greyhounds & |
| shelters. | | | | Great Danes make very good apartment dogs |
| FACT-According to the ASPCA, 25% of | | | | since they are very 'laid back' dogs. |
| surrendered dogs are purebreds. One of the best | | | | If you have a house with a big backyard, then |
| ways to get a breed that you are looking for is | | | | bigger, active dogs might be the right choice. |
| to go through a breed-specific rescue. There are | | | | DO YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN? |
| lots of them out there & surely you will find | | | | Small kids can be intimidating to little dogs like |
| a rescue organization related to the dog that you | | | | chihuahuas or toy poodles. Inevitably there will be |
| want. | | | | ear pulling, tail pulling & teasing, that's just |
| MYTH-A lot of the dogs in shelters are 'damaged | | | | what kids do! Larger dogs like Golden Retrievers |
| goods' or vicious. | | | | & Labrador Retrievers are traditional family |
| FACT-Most surrendered dogs have come from | | | | dogs & tend to handle the 'attentions' of |
| good, family homes. A reputable shelter will do | | | | smaller children better. |
| temperment testing on the dogs that they are | | | | YOUR LIFESTYLE |
| adopting to determine if the dog that you are | | | | If you are an active person & like to jog, |
| interested in is 'adoptable' | | | | hike or bike, a dog like a Bulldog might not be a |
| MYTH-It costs a lot of money to adopt a shelter | | | | good choice. Are you at work all day? You might |
| dog. | | | | not have time to housetrain a puppy. Are you a |
| FACT-Shelters spend a lot of money to help the | | | | 'neat freak'? A long-haired breed like a Collie or |
| animals that they take in. The dogs have to be | | | | Bernese Mountain Dog might not be right for you. |
| fed, vaccinated & in some cases, spayed or | | | | It is important that you carefully consider what |
| neutered. Some dogs that are surrendered are in | | | | your lifestyle is & what type of dog would fit |
| need of medical attention. All this adds up & | | | | into it. |
| usually a modest fee is charged to recoup some | | | | YOUR CURRENT PET SITUATION |
| of the fees that are incurred. The majority of | | | | What kind of pets do you already have? Do you |
| shelters are not-for-profit & are not | | | | have a cat? Another dog already? These are all |
| interested in making money off of adoptions. | | | | important questions to ask yourself. If you have |
| MYTH-You can't train an older dog. | | | | a cat, it might not like the 'new addition' to the |
| TRUTH-Training an adult dog is just as easy as | | | | family & an older dog might not be too keen |
| training a puppy! The great thing about adopting | | | | to having a bouncy puppy around the house. |
| an adult dog is that most of them are already | | | | COMMITMENT |
| housebroken & know basic obedience | | | | Finally, most dogs tend to live between 10 to 15 |
| commands. | | | | years. That is a really long time! Are you willing to |
| OTHER CONSIDERATIONS WHEN ADOPTING A | | | | pay vet & food bills for all that time? Are |
| DOG | | | | you willing to adjust your schedule for your dog? |