Every year on May 20, National Rescue Dog Day is observed to raise awareness about our furry friends in shelters who deserve a chance at finding a “fur”-ever home. But have you ever considered adopting a rescue dog, instead of buying one ‘new’? There are so many advantages to adopting one, and this is why many people prefer adopting unwanted dogs rather than buying puppies.
In this article, we are going to list out reasons why you should adopt a rescue dog.
DID YOU KNOW? According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.3 million dogs enter shelters every year in the US.
10 reasons why you should adopt a rescue dog:
- You save a life: All animals in shelter homes are in need of a second chance. They have been lost, given up, or abandoned. They are all unwanted and helpless. You are helping them by giving them a new life in a loving home.
- They are healthier: All animals that come to the shelter are admitted by experienced staff. They are neutered, microchipped, and given a complete health check – including vaccinations and treatment for worms and fleas, before going to their new homes.
- Lifelong friendship: If you rehome a rescue dog they will repay your kindness and patience in rebuilding their confidence with loyalty, fun, and most of all, friendship.
- Benefits for children: A rescue dog can provide an opportunity to teach your children life lessons, for example, showing your child the importance of learning to respect and care for animals.
- A variety of therapeutic benefits: Children, teens, and adults with autism may benefit from services provided by trained rescue dogs. As emotional support companions, rescue dogs help to relieve anxiety, depression, and PTSD among the military or those who suffer from mental illness.
- Good deed: By adopting a dog from a charity, you are supporting their work, and therefore a good cause.
- You pay less: Low adoption fees are much less than the cost of purebred puppies or kittens sold for profit.
- You encourage others to adopt: When your friends ask where you got your pet, you can tell them “at the shelter.” Your adoption may inspire others to do the same!
- You help to reduce overpopulation: There are not enough homes for all the animals that are born every year. Adopting from a shelter helps weaken the pet overpopulation cycle. Each year 8 to 12 million dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them.
- You choose from a great selection of animals: Shelters offer a wide selection of different dog breeds for you to choose from!
Hopefully, some of these points will inspire you to adopt a dog from a rescue shelter. After all, adopting a rescue dog is incredibly rewarding and is such a positive experience as you build a bond with an adopted canine.
