Ozzie was rescued by Senior Paws Rescue in 2021 and is now living out his senior years with care, companionship, and lots of love!
According to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 7.6 million companion animals (otherwise known as any animal that we typically view as pets in the traditional sense) enter animal shelters each year, nationwide. Of that 7.6 million, 2.7 million animals are euthanized. Buying dogs from pet shops or breeders only exacerbates the situation. By adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue, you can help change those statistics for the better.
You can save a dog from euthanasia.
An animal shelter is an establishment where stray or abandoned animals are provided with a temporary home and is maintained by local government and charity organizations. There are an estimated number of 5,000 independent animal shelters running nationwide.
As mentioned above, 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year due largely in part to not being adopted within the shelter's allotted time period or because the shelter is full and cannot care for additional dogs. You could be the difference of life and death for an animal, which should be reason enough to adopt.
The joy and love that a rescued dog brings into your life is priceless.
They come trained.
For the most part, your new pet will have already learned basic skills such as potty training. Some shelters even do on-site training programs to ensure a well behaved and disciplined animal upon adoption. Many shelter dogs know tricks and commands too. And despite the old saying, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.
Adopting a dog is much less expensive than buying one.
Dogs purchased from breeders can cost anywhere from $400 to well over $1,000. Adoption fees are as little as $100 in some areas. You can buy your new fur friend a bed, collar, leash, and a lot of dog toys and treats with the savings.
You can get just about any kind of dog at a shelter.
Looking for a big dog? A small dog? A furry dog? A puppy, or a dog somewhere between 2 and 5 years old? Or maybe you want a senior dog to provide your elderly parent a quiet, calm companion? Shelters and rescue organizations have them all, and often have full bred dogs too. If you are willing to take the time to do the research, you can find a dog that meets your criteria. Most rescues and shelters now have online adoption information, including pictures, estimated age, length of stay in rescue, whether the dog is good with children or other animals, health status, and other helpful background information so you can make an informed decision when searching for your new family member.
You will indirectly help stop animal cruelty.
When you adopt a dog from a rescue or shelter, you are NOT buying one from a potential puppy mill or a questionable breeder. Animal advocates work tirelessly to put reckless breeders out of business by pushing for better laws around breeding practices. By adopting from a shelter or rescue, you are not only saving a life, you are helping reduce the demand from breeders. Plus your new fur friend will be spayed or neutered, which means a future of not having puppies that may also end up in a shelter someday.
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