But shelter dogs deserve a second chance! They are often wonderful dogs who are grateful to be in a home again instead of in a shelter. And many people who had lots of time during the pandemic adopted dogs which could sadly lead to more surrenders once they get back to the office and are away from the home more leading to increasing rates of separation anxiety and other behavioral issues. You can read more on separation anxiety HERE.

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Saving A Life

When you adopt a shelter dog you are saving a life! That’s a pretty good feeling. According to American Humane, 56% of dogs that enter shelters end up being euthanized. That’s a lot of dogs, and very sad. It ends up being millions of dogs every year. By adopting a dog you give that dog another chance at a safe and happy life!

And when you think about it, by adopting a dog from a rescue or shelter you are freeing up a spot for another animal. In essence, giving another dog a second chance as well!

Already Trained!

When you get a puppy the training can be overwhelming! I know with my two I was constantly running them out to the yard! And they ruined the carpet upstairs completely and I ended up having to rip it out since it just couldn’t be saved. Many times when you get a shelter dog they are past puppy stage and will have basic training (read: house trained!).

Be aware that while they may have some training, they may have other issues such as separation anxiety or resource guarding that will need to be worked with. Many shelters attempt to start working on these behaviors at the shelter but the work often continues after an adopted dog goes to their forever home. The shelter will work with you to find the best fit for you and your family as they work closely with their dogs!

Lower Cost

Everyone knows that adopting from a shelter is a LOT cheaper than getting a purebred dog! And they have received care at the shelter and will more than likely already be neutered/spayed and up to date on their shots!

It honestly makes me cringe when I think about the hit my wallet took when I got my dogs! And there are a lot of costs the first few months. If you adopt an older dog, you don’t have to worry about these costs! Trust me, they add up…

Selection

Most likely there is a good amount of selection to choose from at a shelter. Resulting in you being able to interact and pick the perfect dog for your family! Although sometimes they choose you…and your heart melts and you just have to go with it!

The shelter will have done an evaluation on their personality, temperament and likely has an idea if they are good around other pets or children. They will help you find the perfect match because the LAST thing they want is for the dog to end up back there after being sent to a home.

End Cruel Breeding Practices

That puppy in the window? There is a good chance it has come from some sort of puppy mill or poor breeder. I know that many stores don’t sell purebred puppies anymore for this very reason. But they are still out there…

And even if you buy a dog directly from a “breeder” if you haven’t done proper research you could still end up finding yourself buying from a puppy mill. By adopting a dog you take support away from these cruel types of breeding practices.

Healthier!

As much as I love my dogs, I know that there is a very good chance that they will develop hereditary medical issues that are well known with Bernese Mountain dogs.

With purebred dogs less likely to end up in a shelter, you are more often than not looking at mixed breed dogs. Which tend to be healthier since they don’t come with the medical issues associated with certain breeds of dog! Our dog Mack growing up was a mix from a shelter and he lived to 19 years old!! Crazy, right?? Benson and Grace…well the average lifespan for a Bernese Mountain dog is 6-8 years…

Mutual Benefits

When you rescue a dog, you not only save their life but they can help with many different things in your life as well! It is well known that having a dog around to pet and cuddle with on the couch can lower stress amounts and improve the happiness of your life.

So not only is your dog happy, but they make you happy as well! I know my two beasts make me laugh and smile every day! And Grace will pile right on top of you like she weighs 10lbs to get cuddles. Benson is SO SOFT and just so great to give a big hug too. I think I’d be lost without my dogs! I love my cats too, but they are so much more independent versus a constant companion.

More Exercise!

Having a dog forces you to get out there and get more active! My activity levels have definitely picked up dramatically since I got the bears! I have been logging at least 200 kilometers a month with all of our walks to the beach, ravine and through the neighborhood!

And another added benefit of more walks has been able to find new discoveries in the area! We love getting out and taking a different route because you never know what you will find! This is how we discovered the chickens and bunnies! If we walk that way my dogs are sure to drag me over for a good sniffing since they are often out of their pen and wandering around the yard!

Socialization

Socialization is not only good for your dog, but for you!!! I have met countless numbers of people who have become friends through regular trips to the dog park and the ravine. The dogs have a great time and so do I! Your dog will open up a whole new world to you.

In our area, a lot of the patios at restaurants are even dog friendly! So you don’t have to leave them at home to go for that brunch! And by proudly showing off your adopted dog you encourage others to look at adopting as well! Win win!!!

And Lastly

Unconditional love. It really doesn’t get any better than that. I have seen so many before and after pictures of adopting a dog, and those dogs are so happy it hurts my heart. They are so loving and grateful! They don’t judge and are always there for you. It is so worth it to consider adopting a dog!

To find a shelter near you, check out Petfinder’s page HERE! And while this post is written around dogs, don’t forget about our kitty friends as well! They need adoption just as much as dogs and come with many of the same benefits.

Have a story about adopting a dog (or cat)? Be sure to share it in the comments below!

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