Essential Guide to Adopting a Dog
Learn everything about dog adoption, including benefits, locations, tips for choosing the right dog, and reasons to avoid store-bought puppies. Discover how to make a responsible and loving decision to bring a dog into your home, ensuring a lifelong bond and helping rescue animals in need.
Whether to love pets or not, it's a straightforward choice.
– Anonymous
Enthusiasts often prefer adopting from shelters rather than purchasing pets. You cannot buy true affection, but you can provide a loving home through adoption. As euthanasia rates rise, more people are encouraged to adopt stray and abandoned dogs instead of buying from breeders.
Benefits of adopting a dog
Dogs offer unconditional love and forge emotional bonds with their owners.
Adopting saves a life and makes the dog a valued member of your family.
Many shelter dogs are affectionate but ended up there due to human issues, not their own faults.
Most shelter dogs are house-trained and accustomed to family life.
Pets bring happiness and reduce loneliness, enriching your life.
Adopting a dog allows you to help animals in need and make a positive impact.
Where to find rescue dogs
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
National Mill Dog Rescue
Adopt-A-Dog Foundation
Hope for Paws
Tips for selecting your new pet
Ensure your home allows pet ownership, especially if renting. Check lease restrictions first.
Learn about the breeds or mix of dogs available, mostly shelter dogs are mixes or from local strays.
Consider your household members, allergies, and other pets before adopting.
Assess your time and energy levels; dogs need attention, companionship, and love to thrive.
Decide on the appropriate size based on your living space—small dogs are suitable for compact homes.
Adoption process steps
Select a reputable shelter for adoption.
Visit in person and interact with the dogs to find a connection.
Request assistance from shelter staff during meet-and-greet sessions.
Provide identification and complete adoption paperwork.
Be prepared to pay adoption fees, typically ranging from $25 to $150, though some shelters waive fees with organizational support.
Obtain vaccination certificates and sterilization records for licensing and health verification.
Why avoid store-bought puppies
Puppies from pet stores often come from puppy mills with unethical breeding practices, affecting their health and temperament.
Many such puppies have behavioral issues due to poor early care and lack of socialization.
Early separation from their mothers hampers normal development and training.
Store puppies are usually raised in cages, depriving them of necessary social and canine skills.
Beware of deceptive marketing claiming purebreds—many store puppies are mixed or misrepresented.
Opting for adoption over purchasing puppies helps prevent supporting unethical breeding operations.
