Why Shelter Dogs Can Make the Best Pets
Getting a puppy is one of the best decisions that you can make.
You can look for one through a private seller, through an animal store, or try to find one through the classified ads on social media sites.
But the best way to find a wonderful furry friend is through a shelter.
These dogs make the best pets. There are many reasons why, but the most important one is that you’re saving a pet from a life of fear, sorrow, and possible death.
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10 Quick Reasons Why Shelter Dogs Are Great!
- Loyalty: Shelter dogs often form strong bonds with their new owners due to their gratitude for being rescued. They are known to be fiercely loyal and devoted companions.
- Gratitude: Adopted shelter dogs often show immense gratitude towards their new families. Their appreciation can be seen in their affectionate behavior and eagerness to please.
- Unique Personalities: Each shelter dog has a unique personality shaped by its past experiences. This diversity allows potential adopters to find a dog that perfectly fits their lifestyle and preferences.
- Cost-Effective: Adopting a shelter dog is generally more affordable than purchasing a dog from a breeder. Most shelters cover initial veterinary expenses, such as spaying/neutering and vaccinations, reducing the overall cost of ownership.
- Saving a Life: Adopting a shelter dog gives an animal in need a second chance. Many shelter dogs come from unfortunate situations and are desperate for a loving home.
- Training Potential: Shelter dogs are often eager to learn and please their owners. With proper training and patience, these dogs can quickly adapt to their new environment and become well-behaved companions.
- Health Benefits: Studies have shown that owning a pet, such as a shelter dog, can have numerous health benefits, including reduced stress levels, lower blood pressure, and increased physical activity.
- Companionship: Shelter dogs provide constant companionship and emotional support to their owners. They can help alleviate loneliness and depression, offering unconditional love and comfort.
- Community Support: Adopting a shelter dog supports your local community and animal welfare organizations. Your adoption fee helps fund the care of other needy animals and promotes responsible pet ownership.
- Unconditional Love: The most compelling reason is that shelter dogs offer unconditional love to their owners. Regardless of their past experiences, these dogs can form deep and lasting bonds with their human companions.
Most Shelter Dogs Are Healthier
You might assume that buying your puppy from a breeder or a pet store makes it healthier and a better pet than getting it from a shelter.
But that’s not true.
When you buy a puppy or adult dog from a store or through a private seller, you have no idea about the dog’s condition at the time of purchase.
Many pet stores get their animals from breeders in conditions that aren’t healthy for them. Illnesses and diseases are often covered up to make the sale.
You have to go on the word of a person who wants to sell the animal to make money.
Some of these health issues may not show up until you’ve bonded with the pet or until it’s too late to get your money back.
When money is more important than finding a loving home for the dog, you could buy an animal that won’t integrate well into your life—or one with a serious health problem.
Some people assume that when a dog is adopted from a shelter, it’s a walking advertisement for health issues. They fear getting a sick pet with expensive issues or behavioral problems.
But a shelter is not a revolving door operation. When a dog is first handed over to an animal shelter, it’s not immediately released for adoption. Instead, the dog has to remain there while a whole gamut of tests is run.
It’s not put up for adoption until these tests are completed. Known medical issues are addressed first. Sometimes, when dogs are handed over to the shelter, it’s clear they need medical attention.
They might be dealing with something like mange or, in the case of abandoned dogs found on the streets, the animal might have matted fur. It might also have fleas or skin conditions.
The shelter has trained staff, including veterinarians, who will check for heartworms, intestinal parasites, malnourishment, and skin disorders or issues. They also study the dog’s behavior.
If a dog has any problems with its teeth, the shelter will ensure that those problems are addressed and healed. The dog will also be vaccinated while at the shelter.
Some shelters also microchip pets. While at the shelter, dogs are spayed or neutered, and any major issues that can be corrected, like suturing wounds or setting broken bones, are fixed.
The cost of these fees is not all transferred to the person adopting the pet. If you had to pay for everything the shelter does, it could easily cost over a thousand dollars.
The dog will also be groomed while he’s at the shelter. When you get a dog from a source such as a breeder or pet store, you may not get all the information you need about the pet to provide the best care.
Sometimes, health conditions are deliberately hidden. But a shelter dog comes to you with its health history. You’ll know what breed the dog is and whether it’s pure or mixed.
The shelter won’t try to hide it if the dog has any health problems noted in the animal’s chart when he was first checked in. You’ll be told of any issues that will be ongoing for the pet.
So you’ll know from the start what you’re getting into. Another perk about adopting a shelter dog is that many are already housebroken.
So you won’t have to go through the stages of teaching your dog how to go to the bathroom outside. Even if the dog isn’t housetrained, you’ll know that beforehand.
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Shelter Dogs May or May Not Be Purebreds
You might think getting a purebred puppy is the best pet choice. You might also believe that you can’t find any of those types of dogs at an animal shelter. But shelters get all kinds of dogs, not just mixed breeds.
If you’ve been avoiding choosing a shelter dog because you want a purebred, there are a few things you might want to consider. First, you won’t know what kind of dog is available until you visit the shelter and see.
Some dogs may be listed on the shelter’s website’s intake page, but this listing is not always updated immediately. The shelter ensures the dog is adoptable before it goes up on the listing.
Secondly, even if you have your heart set on a purebred, it’ll still be worth going to the shelter anyway – you might be a mixed breed that steals your heart, even if his bloodline isn’t 100% pure.
Finally, purebred dogs often come with a variety of health issues. Many of these health issues are common among that dog’s lineage and characteristics. For example, Cocker Spaniels are known to have recurring ear infections.
It’s just common with purebred dogs. Dachshunds have spinal problems, and boxers are known for arthritis and seizures. Mixed-breed dogs often avoid the health problems that are common with purebred dogs.
They have traits that are a mix of good from both of the breeds they’re mixed with. They can be just as lovable and teachable as purebred dogs. When you adopt one of these dogs from a shelter, the adoption fee is often less than what you’d pay for a dog of certifiable lineage.
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Shelter Dogs Are More Loyal
A difference is in the loyalty level of a dog you rescue from an animal shelter. These pets tend to be more loyal to their humans. Many of the dogs have not been abused, yet they feel the sting of having been given up.
So when they get adopted and after bonding with their human, they offer the kind of loyalty that can’t be shaken. These shelter dogs tend to look out for their human and keep watch to make sure they’re safe.
Part of that is because when you adopt a shelter dog, your love, concern, and provision of a good home melt away any shyness or guarded heart he may have. He will love you fiercely when he discovers you are his forever human.
Your shelter dog will be the first to check out your home’s windows or doors to ensure your safety. He’ll sound the alarm at anything that doesn’t look right to look out for you.
Even senior dogs are more loyal. While it’s true that many people look to adopt puppies from animal shelters, don’t discount an adult or a senior dog. They still have a lot of love to give.
Adult dogs are more settled and won’t subject your house to the puppy treatment. So, if you’re looking for a pet that won’t chew up your shoes or gnaw on the furniture, an adult shelter dog would make a perfect addition to your family.
Senior shelter dogs can be great around children and tend to bond easily. They’ve usually been in a home and have interacted with families.
Many of them have already been taught to use the bathroom outside. They’re more mature than puppies and are quicker to listen to a command.
Shelter Dogs are Friendly
While some shelter dogs appear timid when you first meet them at the shelter, it’s just their initial uncertainty and fear. Other shelter dogs may dance around their enclosures at your sight when you come for a visit.
As a rule, most shelter dogs are friendly and seek someone to love them. They have big hearts and will quickly fulfill the role of man’s best friend if given a chance.
Shelter dogs make the best pets because of their friendly nature.
They’re always upbeat and happy to explore the world. They wake up in the mornings with energy, looking forward to their day and spending time with you.
They show gratitude for everything you do for them – from feeding them to walking and playing with them.
They’re happy, and that happiness tends to rub off on you. When you adopt a shelter dog, you’ll find that your happiness level has increased, and you smile more often.
A shelter dog will show you that he wants to be loved.
When you sit down, he’ll approach for a cuddle or even leap into your lap – even if he’s not a lap dog. No matter how big or old they get, a shelter dog wants to be close to you.
The minute you arrive home after being gone, your shelter dog will show you how delighted he is to see you. His tail will thump, and he may emit a high-pitched, excited yelp from the depths of his heart.
It’s his way of sharing his joy that his human has returned to him. Your dog’s friendliness makes your social circle expand. Most dogs aren’t afraid to meet people when you’re out and about.
If you’re walking around your neighborhood, your dog won’t mind approaching the neighbor for a greeting.
At the park, when you’re walking your dog, his friendliness will open up interactions between you and other dog lovers.
Shelter Dogs Give Back in Return
They lower your emotional load. You might think you’re doing something wonderful by adopting a shelter dog. And you are. You’re giving a deserving animal a home and love.
But you’re getting back just as much – if not more – than you’re giving. Shelter dogs give back in many ways. One of these ways is that they can help lower your stress levels. Studies have shown that adopted dogs love interacting with their new human companion.
Spending time with the dog lowers stress hormones. You feel less stress effects on your body and, therefore, less emotional and mental stress.
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Studies have shown that shelter dogs help people destress after a stressful day or event.
The dog offers unconditional love and companionship. Spending time with one soothes your emotions and reactions to stress. These benefits extend to feelings of anxiety and depression as well.
Shelter dogs are intuitive and know when their human needs a head in the lap to pet or snuggle on the couch. They are also great listeners. You can talk to them about your day or problems; they’ll wag their tail or comfort you.
Playing with your shelter dog releases feel-good chemicals in your brain, which can help you feel less stressed, calmer, and more relaxed.
A shelter dog teaches you not to take yourself so seriously – to get up, have fun, laugh, and love, all of which can help ease the emotional load you may be carrying.
When you invest in a shelter dog, you get far more than you give every day you spend with him. A shelter dog also helps you with your physical health.
You’ll get more exercise because a shelter dog helps you get up and get on your feet more often.
He’ll need to go outside and want someone to play with him. You’ll toss a ball, fetch a toy, or play a gentle game of tug-of-war. You’ll enjoy taking your dog out for walks around your neighborhood and to places like the park or the beach.
While these outings help solidify the bond between you and your dog, they’re helping you as well.
You’re getting some exercise in, and at the same time, you’re getting the benefit of everything that goes along with the exercise – the destressing and the time to stop and take a break – even if it’s just for a five-minute game of catch with your new pet.
Spending time with your new animal friend can help alleviate loneliness. They make great companions, and their exuberant way of going through the day will make you laugh.
You’ll find that you look forward to their funny behavior.
Shelter Dogs Can Give You These Five Benefits
First, when you adopt a shelter dog, your health improves. You may notice that the numbers on your blood pressure readings are lower than before you adopted the pet.
Other heart-healthy benefits include lower bad cholesterol levels. Some studies attribute this to a more active lifestyle after getting the dog.
Second, your entire immune system gets a boost. Shelter dogs have been linked to better-performing immune systems in their humans. So they’re less likely to have as many sick days as they did before they brought their new family member home.
Researchers are unsure why this is a benefit, but one reason may be the lowered stress levels associated with adopting a shelter dog.
Third, shelter dogs make great pets because they can help children.
Kids are less likely to be affected by anxiety when they have a dog to comfort them. This includes helping special needs kids, such as those affected by autism. Having a dog around produces a calming effect for kids.
Plus, they can help raise a child’s self-esteem and confidence.
Fourth, adopting a shelter dog can provide emotional support to people of any age dealing with loss, pain, or trauma.
Studies have shown that owning a dog can also help adults and children deal with the aftereffects of losing a beloved pet.
Finally, for people who are struggling with mental conditions, having a shelter dog as a companion can help the person remain stable. One reason is that having the dog around gives a person a purpose, helps reduce symptoms, and offers support whenever needed.
Sure, you could find a breeder and take the risk of shelling out thousands of dollars for a specific breed of dog.
But the shelters are overflowing with dogs who want a forever home and a human they can give all their love to.