As pet parents of
adopted shelter dogs ourselves, many here at PetCareRx appreciate just how a life can change when you adopt a dog. We know that our shelter pups have brought positive change to our lives, and there's no denying how our dogs feel about it, either! In celebration of Adopt a Dog Month, here are 7 great reasons to adopt a shelter dog:
1. You Get to Save a Life -- Or Several
The Humane Society estimatesthat 2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the US. There are simply too many pets out there already and not enough people to properly care for them. By rescuing a dog, you give one pet a new home and potentially free up some room at a shelter for another pet to take, helping them find their forever home, too. Also, by
spaying or neutering your pet, you're ensuring that you won't contribute to the growing number of homeless pets, either.2. You Won't Support Backyard Breeding
Sadly, many pet store and online pet sales can come from puppy millsor other unsafe and inhumane breeding operations. By being careful about where your pet comes from, you won't accidentally support an industry based on neglect and greed.
3. Your New Dog's Needs Won't Be a Hidden Factor
You might fall in love at first sight with a puppy, but you may not know just how big this guy will grow, or what kinds of behaviors might crop up. Shelter dogs are often adults or senior pets who are done growing, and whose medical and behavioral needs are already known by the shelter staff.
4. You Can Often Skip the Housetraining...
Most shelter pets are already
housebroken, so you won't have to invest so much time and energy into this type of training -- or cleaning up.