Rescue Dogs Make the Best Pets

If you’ve been thinking about adding a new dog to the family, think about opening your heart and home and adopt a rescue dog. There are lots of benefits to adopting a dog who is looking for the right family too!

You can adopt a dog of any age. When looking for a rescue dog, potential adoptees have the choice of more than just puppies. The advantage of welcoming an older dog into your home is that it’s more likely to have been trained, it may understand basic commands, and it might be calmer.

Puppies can take months to be fully house trained, with some requiring up to a year. Most rescue dogs, however, don’t need as much training or may already be housebroken, and can often respond to basic commands. Some shelters and rescues may even do some training with the dog before adoption. This doesn’t mean that a rescue dog won’t need additional training, but the process can be easier than with a puppy.

Finding the right dog for you. The right pairing is more likely when adopting a pet rather than buying one as shelters and rescue organizations consider needs such as temperament, home environment, and the best interests of the owners and animals are put first.

Though some dog breeds are more common at shelters than others, when adopting a dog, adoptees will have a great selection to choose from. They can choose from not only different breeds and mixes, but also ages, sex, and personality. This selection will allow for better matching between the owner and pet.

Studies have shown that owning any pet has health benefits. These can include decreased blood pressure and cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A pet can also reduce feelings of loneliness, increase opportunities for exercise and time outside, and facilitate socializing. Adopting a rescue dog not only has these advantages but knowing that you have helped to save an animal can also help your psychological well-being too.

Adopting a dog not only helps prevent overpopulation in shelters but also helps control the overall dog population through spaying and neutering. Most states require that adopted pets be spayed or neutered, and the shelter or rescue organization most often provides this service as part of the adoption.

Though 1.6 million dogs are adopted each year, more than twice as many dogs enter shelters each year. Adoption has helped the number of euthanized animals to decline, however. By adopting instead of buying a dog, you can save an animal and open up more space at overcrowded shelters. Your act will also help rescuers to continue doing great work and may encourage someone else to save a dog too.

Adopting a dog not only saves a life but can also help your local animal rescue agency. Your adoption could make room for another dog, your fee could help cover costs, and you could spread the word about a good cause.

If you can’t adopt a dog now, but would like to help a local shelter or rescue organization, there is always a need for volunteers and donations. Your help will always make a difference.

Here’s a link from ‘Dog Lover’s Digest’ to a list of Oregon Rescue Shelters and Organizations: https://www.dogloversdigest.com/oregon-rescue-shelters-and-organizations/

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