How To Decide If You Should Adopt A Dog From The Shelter

There are plenty of dogs currently living in animal shelters all across the country. They are desperately looking for a new start at life, especially if they have been abandoned by their original owners. With so many dogs available for adoption, you may wonder if you should adopt one. Before you adopt a dog, consider the pros and cons below.

Pros of Adopting a Shelter Dog

1. The original owner may have gotten rid of the dog because they could not afford it or because they ended up being allergic to it. There are also some owners who let their animals roam without a care, abandoning them and leaving them to fend for themselves. If you decided to adopt one, you would give the dog a new shot at an amazing life.

2. Most of the dogs found in shelters are mixed breeds. Mixed breeds are just as likely to live long and healthy lives as any of the purebreds.

3. There is usually an adoption screening process that occurs. Instead of leaving the shelter with any random dog, you can meet with an adoption counselor at the shelter and discuss the kind of dog you are looking to adopt. Based on your preference, you can get paired with a dog that may be ideal for you.

4. Instead of having to pay for spaying or neutering, it is normally handled at the shelter beforehand. Most of the dogs will also be up-to-date with their shots too.

While these are some of the many good reasons you should consider adopting a dog from a shelter, there are a few cons that you should think about as well.

Cons of Adopting a Shelter Dog

1. The dog's history is a complete mystery. The employees at the shelter can only tell you what they know, which may not be much if the dog was found on the street. You may never know what the dog has been through in the past. The dog may behave badly in some situations that remind him or her of something negative that they have been through.

2. Shelters are full of mixed breed dogs, but purebreds are rare. If you want your dog to be a purebred, you will likely not find one at the shelter. Instead, you may want to check out an organization that specifically rescues purebred dogs and attempts to move them into loving homes.

3. Dogs from shelters have usually been through different things, causing them to behave badly at times. If you have never owned a pet before, you may not be able to handle the bad behavior as easily as someone with more experience.

If you are set on adopting a shelter dog, it is a good idea to take a visit to spend time with different dogs at the shelter before you make your decision. You may end up bonding with one specific dog, which would ultimately be the one you decide to take home with you. When you decide to take that dog home, you can continue to work on training and basic commands because the dog may exhibit a few behavioral problems. As long as you are showing love, attention, and reinforcing the rules, everything should be fine.