Saving a Life: 10 Compelling Reasons to Adopt a Dog

Are you thinking of adding a new furry addition to your family? You have many options for getting a new pet. You can contact a breeder, visit a pet store, search online or adopt. Adoption has many benefits not only to the adopting family but also to the pet and the organization through which the adoption is facilitated. Contact your local rescue or animal shelter for additional details and to visit the many dogs looking for a new home.

But, why should anyone choose adoption?

You will save a life or more.

In 2019 over 733,000 pets were euthanized in our country’s animal shelters. Although this number is hard to accept, it is also the first time in many years that it has fallen under one million. The decrease is attributable to the increase in no-kill shelters. Research reveals that 9 of 10 pets in a shelter are healthy and just waiting to be adopted. You could save a life or two by adopting from a shelter or rescue as well as freeing up much-needed space for other dogs to be saved from the streets.

Rescue dogs are great dogs.

Dogs in shelters and rescues are happily awaiting their new home. You will know that when you walk in and they all reach out to you saying “pick me”! Typically, they have come from disrupted homes where they simply could not stay. You will find that a good number of rescue dogs have been previously house-broken and have prior experience with children and other pets.

It will cost you less.

Adding a dog to the family can be expensive. Depending on which breed you choose, the initial purchase itself can be costly followed closely by expenses for spay or neuter, micro-chipping and baby shots. The cost of adopting a dog usually includes these expenses and, because the dog is usually already past puppyhood, housebreaking and training expenses may not be necessary.

Bragging rights are well earned.

Everyone enjoys seeing pets on social media sites. But the “likes” for a rescued pet will blow up your Facebook and Instagram pages both for the lucky dog and the kind-hearted adoptive family.

It is an effective way to fight puppy mills.

Puppy mills are commercial breeding businesses that have a little-to-no concern about what is best for the dogs. As long as a dog can breed, they are of value to the puppy mill owners. It’s all about making a profit. Because the dogs live in poor conditions and receive minimal medical care, they are often physically or emotionally scarred.

When you purchase a puppy from a pet store or any disreputable source, you are likely supporting a puppy mill owner. Adopting a dog ensures that you are not contributing to their ill-gotten wealth.

Your home will be thankful.

Until a puppy is house-broken, your carpets may be the location of choice to do their business. And why chew on the 20 new toys you bought when the sofa upholstery tastes so good? Puppies are adorable but are often just balls of destruction for the first few months.

A dog adopted from a rescue or shelter is likely already house-broken and knows the difference between a nylabone and the leg of your dining room chair.

Pets are good for your health.

Having a dog in your home provides numerous health benefits, both physical and emotional. Dogs are a bottomless source of unconditional love, so adopt a dog and feel the pure adoration directed your way. Stress and depression often melt away in the presence of a loving pet.

Your overall physical health will benefit from having a dog as well. Dogs love walks and are perfect companions for a nightly walk after dinner. Increased physical activity also can lower your blood pressure and result in weight loss, which are good things.

Adoption helps more than one animal.

This does not mean you should adopt multiple dogs at once, although it certainly is an option. Every time someone adopts a pet, it frees up that space for another animal to be given a chance at a new life. But there are a limited number of no-kill shelters and rescues—far fewer than the number of animals in need. So, every available bed counts.

Also, adoption fees go directly to the shelter or rescue to enable them to save more animals and provide the best life possible until their new family comes for them.

Pet adoption services are conveniently offered on the internet.

An example of an online pet adoption service is The Shelter Pet Project, a collaboration between the Humane Society and Maddie’s Fund, two prominent animal welfare groups. Their goal is to encourage potential adopters to check out shelters first when looking for a new dog. Pet adoption is a big win not only for the dog and its new owner but for the shelter and other homeless pets as well.

You will change a homeless dog’s life.

And then you came along and welcomed your new pet with open arms. Life became normal again for this very lucky and joy-filled dog.

These are several reasons why you should at least consider adopting a dog. But, whichever road you end up taking, your new family member will be grateful to you and will be your best friend forever.

Pin it!