You and I know that adopting a shelter dog is a rewarding, life-changing, and life-saving experience. But to folks who aren’t familiar with the rescue world, the reasons for adopting a dog from a shelter aren’t always so clear. What can you say to convince someone to choose a rescue dog? With these ten arguments, you can help dogs in need find the loving homes they deserve.
10 arguments in favor of choosing a shelter dog
1. Rescue dogs aren’t inherently defective. Dogs find themselves in shelters for many reasons ranging from abandonment to wandering away from home. Owners sometimes surrender pets because of training issues or high veterinary costs, and authorities occasionally remove animals suffering in cruelty or neglect situations. Of course, a huge proportion of the shelter population is the result of unwanted pregnancies.
2. Shelter dogs do not all suffer long-term damage. Many have sad histories, but others don’t. Take Rosie for example, whose owner simply could no longer care for her. But given a chance, even with difficult backgrounds, most rescues blossom in loving homes.
3. Special needs dogs deserve love too. If you’re open to a special needs case or love project, your local no-kill rescue will likely have a few hard to place dogs with physical or emotional challenges who could really use your help.
3. Shelter dogs come in all breed mixes, shapes, colors, sizes, and energy levels. This means there’s a pooch for everyone!
4. You don’t have to adopt a puppy to find your ideal companion. Rescue puppies are wonderful, but if you’re not prepared to raise a youngster, you can always choose an adult or a senior. Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority integrate quickly and are less work than puppies. Moreover, you will have a clearer sense of your new pet’s personality and energy level if they’re full grown.
6. Most rescues are mixed breed, but purebred and hybrid dogs end up in shelters and breed-specific rescues too. It might help to know, however, that mutts tend to be healthier than purebreds: their larger gene pool means fewer hereditary problems.
7. Mutts are less specialized and so often develop more balanced temperaments than many purebreds, making them better suited to family life.
8. It feels wonderful to help a dog in need, and adopting a rescue dog creates a special bond between adopter and pet.
9. Every dog adopted from a shelter leaves room for another, which makes two lives saved.
10. When you adopt a shelter dog, you know you’re making a difference.
Do they need more convincing? Have your friends read our Happy Tails testimonials here.
