8 Reasons To Adopt A Shelter Dog

If you are considering adding a four-legged fur baby to the family, first off, congratulations! Dogs truly are an amazing addition to the family. They show endless love, adore the heck out of us, and are probably clingier than a human child. Dogs give us so much and positively influence our lives each day, asking for nothing in return. As popularly said, “humans do not deserve dogs.”

Now I know everyone has their own reasons for what breed of dog they would love to have and that is perfectly OK. There are plenty of breed-specific rescues that need help with adoption as well but their process will probably be more extensive and costly than a shelter! However, as someone who has worked in an animal shelter and has seen firsthand how amazing those dogs really are, I wanted to share how being open to adopting one can be a wise choice in your decision-making process. I will also be sharing another blog on debunking the common myths about shelter dogs so stay tuned for that one to learn more and hopefully broaden your perspective. But here I will list the 8 reasons to adopt a shelter dog, in descending order:

Reason #8: Pet Uniqueness.

Every time I spotted a really cute dog that caught my attention, I would ask the owner what breed it was. And each time I was answered with “they are a mutt!” It’s funny thinking about this because now I constantly get stopped to be asked what type of breed my dog is, to which I proudly reply either “pit bull mix” or “a mutt”. If having a unique dog sounds intriguing to you, adopting is your best bet! I have never seen two of the same-looking dogs at the shelter and I have never seen any dog that looks exactly like mine either. It is pretty cool going to a dog-friendly place or dropping my dog off at doggy daycare and quickly being able to spot my unique boy.

Reason #7: Reducing The Overpopulation of Dogs.

Pet overpopulation has become a serious problem with the increased amount of people that are breeding (pet owners included), the disgusting puppy mills, the high demand for puppies and/or designer breeds, and the deficient demand to adopt adult dogs aged 1+. “Pet “overpopulation” encompasses two primary factors: (1) allowing cats and dogs to reproduce with little chance to find homes for the offspring and (2) pets being relinquished by owners who can no longer keep their animals, or who no longer want them” (American Humane, 2021).

Research has shown that in the US within 6 months of owning a pet, 7%-20% of them get relinquished for various reasons. If only we could have more responsible pet owners to lower this percentage but unfortunately we have less control over that, so the next best thing is trying to reduce the number of dogs needing saving. There are so many animal rescue facilities but not even close to enough spaces within them to shelter these pups until they find a new home. As very little time passes and more dogs are flooding the shelters, there are not enough adopters or fosters to keep these sweet, innocent dogs safe or alive.

Reason #6: Mutts Tend To Have Healthier Genes.

It is very rare to come across a purebred in the shelter. Approximately 95% of dogs that fill up the shelters are mutts (meaning mixed breed). Since mutts share a variety of different breeds and have not inherited a high dose of particular genes from any of them, they tend to be less susceptible to breed-specific health issues. This is different than crossbred dogs that share only two breeds (ex. Goldendoodle) because their gene pool is still very narrow and will most likely be prone to the health conditions of either, if not both, of those breeds.

However, this is not a given that your dog will not encounter any health problems and you are vet-free! Canine health is like human health and depends on diet, lifestyle, activity level, etc. Accidents and injuries are also bound to happen despite what genes your dog has, so I cannot stress enough the importance of pet insurance. It will save your dog and your wallet – speaking from experience!

Reason #5: Unconditional Love & Loyalty.

All dogs love so big and each in their own way. I grew up with a Golden Retriever and he was your typical golden that loved people over dogs. I know he loved my family and would protect us, as would almost any pet dog. It is in their nature to. However, there is nothing quite like the love and loyalty that pours out of a shelter dog. It is like they know you rescued them, and although we will never know what type of life they endured before meeting us, it seems like they remember and value us even more! Especially the pups on the more fearful side when you first meet them, they are my ultimate favorite! It is truly amazing to watch them begin to trust again and once that trust is back, prepare for the never-ending slobbery kisses or personal space. A shelter pup’s love & loyalty has a whole new meaning of ‘mans best friend’.

Reason #4: Training & Support.

Another perk of adopting a dog from a shelter is you may be able to save more than $200 and pass go with training! This will not be the case with every dog there but chances of them knowing basic commands can help you get a head start on more advanced training. Some dogs may also be potty-trained as well, but allow some grace if accidents do happen as they are adjusting to their new environment and routine!

In addition, many shelters offer services to help you and your new fur baby have a successful transition. After adoption, you may have access to a dog behavior specialist, training classes, their wellness clinic, pet food bank, referrals to helpful resources in your area, and other knowledgeable individuals that work with dogs. It can take a village just like with kids, so it is nice to have resources like this available!

Reason #3: Raise Awareness Of Adoption.

Each year on April 30th, there is ‘National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day‘ to help raise awareness for the thousands of cats & dogs that are in need of, and waiting to be adopted. “Did you know, every year, just in the U.S., about 6.5 million animals go into animal shelters?” (Nationaltoday.com). That is because each year there are over 1 million puppies produced by licensed puppy facilities and over 2.5 million sold between those and illegal puppy mills!

Spitting out straight facts to you from multiple sources but research for yourself if you do not believe me. These poor babies that did not ask to be born need our help to reduce the number of births, and more importantly, euthanasia that happens. Buying from breeders and mills will not lower that demand. You can be part of a movement every time someone stops to pet your dog and you let them know they are a shelter dog. You can help change the myths that are out there when they meet your sweet, amazing four-legged baby.

Reason #2: Reduced Costs.

If you have ever owned a dog, or have been researching owning a dog, you will know that it is not cheap. Dogs come with a great deal of responsibility, one being financial. I already mentioned being prepared for accidents and injuries but those are the unexpected costs. As it is each month for any dog you’ll be spending money on dog food, heartworm prevention, tick & flea prevention, supplements, toys, treats, and hopefully, pet insurance! With all that, wouldn’t it be nice to save on the cost of the dog?

It blows my mind to see the fees associated with purebreds, especially those in high demand. Doodles being the most trending breed range from $1.5k-$6k, and other popular breeds like French Bulldogs & Golden Retrievers range between $1k-$3.5k. Even a tiny Chihuahua can cost between $500-$2.5k! When you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue, the fees typically range between $35-$400. And if you think that is a steal, this fee usually includes their vaccines, microchip, and spay/neuter. If you are someone who loves to save money, this could be a selling point for you!

Reason #1: Saving A Life, Or Two.

Every year, millions of cats and dogs are euthanized in our nation’s animal shelters because there are more pets than there are responsible homes for them. Unfortunately, there is simply not enough space or resources to help save them all. When you adopt, you are potentially saving two lives – the pup you adopted and the one that now has a space for them. Typically shelters will give dogs 30 days to find a home which can even be less if they are in dire need of space.

For those that have heard of a ‘No-Kill’ shelter, please do not think those dogs are safe and living a happy, grand ole life until they are adopted. There is a false belief that these shelters do not euthanize, but seeing it firsthand, sadly it is not true. There is no miracle extra space these shelters have to live by that. You might read that to be a no-kill shelter, they must place 90% of their dogs that are healthy/treatable. Well, just like everything else in life, there are loopholes. Dogs are labeled ‘behavioral’ because they are too scared to come out of their cage, or labeled ‘declining quality of life’ because they have been at the shelter for more than their time allowed but yet they are still happy-go-lucky and smiling. Every day those dogs are being euthanized but their mislabeling allowed that shelter to still remain a no-kill.

It is a hard truth but no less, the truth. If you are looking to add a fur baby to your home, I hope you found this helpful. Please be open to other possibilities and be part of the change for animal rights. They deserve more than what we give them. From one shelter mama to another, let’s help make these babies’ lives better.

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