Adopting a Rescue Dog: The Pros, Cons, and What to Expect (2023)

In honor of Shelter Dog Adoption Month in October, we reached out to our friends atAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®(ASPCA®) for more information on bringing home a rescue dog. Rena Lafaille, Administrative Director ofASPCA Adoption Centerwas kind enough to offer expert advice on these key issues.

1. Why should I adopt a rescue dog?

The benefits of adopting a pet from a shelter are endless. When you adopt a dog from a shelter, you save a life. By adopting, you are not only providing a loving home for one deserving animal, but also freeing up space and resources for another animal in need. If you're looking to add a new pet to your family, the ASPCA recommends that you consider one of the thousands of animals waiting to be adopted from shelters and animal shelters across the United States. For families looking to purchase a pet, we recommend working with a responsible breeder through a pet store or online store.

The Internet can be a useful resource for finding adoptable animals and responsible breeders. However, a puppy purchased online may come from a cruel puppy breeder, suffer from health and behavioral problems, or simply not exist. It's easy to create a website and find cute puppy pictures, so people should be skeptical about what they see online. Anyone considering buying a puppy from a breeder should visit the breeder in person to see where the puppies were born, how they are raised, and how their parents are treated.

2. Where can I adopt a rescued dog?

You can find an emergency shelter near you atThe ASPCA National Database of Animal Sheltersseeking himanimal locator🇧🇷 The process of adopting a dog can vary by shelter, but you may need to complete an adoption survey and provide your contact information and pet ownership history.

You may also be asked to pay an adoption fee, but it usually costs much less than buying a dog from a breeder or pet store. When you adopt a pet from the shelter, the animal is vet checked, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and possibly microchipped, which also saves costs for the new owner. When you adopt, a shelter or sanctuary's adoption fee, if applicable, goes directly to fund their efforts to rescue, care for, and provide homes for endangered animals.

3. What kind of dog should I adopt?

Your personality and lifestyle, as well as factors like the amount of time you spend at home and the amount of time you need to spend training your dog, are all things to consider before getting a dog. Animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country work hard to match owners with animals that are best suited for their lifestyle, taking into account the lifestyle and personality of both the dog and the prospective adopter. .

At the ASPCA Adoption Center, qualified shelter staff evaluate pets and then introduce them to potential adopters based on the likelihood of a match.

If you are considering adopting a puppy, consider your lifestyle.raise dogsProper grooming takes a lot of time, hard work, and patience, while many adult dogs have more stable personalities and more manageable energy levels. However, it's important to remember that, just like people, every dog ​​is an individual, even those of a specific species or breed, and shelter staff are adept at finding working matches.

Many people avoid adopting a dog because they decided on a specific breed and couldn't find one to adopt at a local shelter or rescue group, but did you know that there are breed-specific rescue groups? 🇧🇷 These volunteer-run networks are easy to find online and often have regional chapters.

4. Do the rescued dogs have special health or other needs?

Shelter animals make wonderful pets and deserve the chance to have a loving home. A great benefit of adopting animals from a shelter is that shelter staff know the animals well and can provide detailed information about the animal's history, medical needs, behavior, and temperament. Shelter dogs can be extremely healthy and loving dogs, often left homeless due to unfortunate circumstances through no fault of their own.

Rather, most pet store puppies come from commercial breeders, where they are kept in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions without proper veterinary care, the opportunity to exercise, play, play, or positive human interaction. Dirty conditions at puppy mills encourage the spread of disease, especially in puppies with immature immune systems. These diseases can sometimes be fatal, painful, and expensive to treat. Puppies can also suffer from persistent anxiety, restlessness, and other behavior problems. Sometimes these problems don't show up until people bring the pup home, only to face unpredictable, expensive, and often chronic medical problems.

Responsible breeders do not sell to pet stores. They plan each litter and are dedicated to the health and well-being of their dogs. Different breeds are predisposed to certain hereditary disorders and diseases, and a good breeding program should aim to minimize these risks and improve the overall health of the breed.

Adopting from an animal shelter gives you the opportunity to speak directly with shelter staff about an animal's health and behavioral needs. Likewise, a good breeder should be transparent, welcoming, and ask questions, and should be able to provide referrals and be a resource to you as your pup grows.

5. Is there any way to know if the dog will have behavior problems?

While protocols vary from shelter to shelter, animals transferred to the ASPCA adoption center typically have a medical history completed by previous owners. These forms are extremely helpful in providing information about a dog's behavior in the home and often help determine the best home environment for that particular dog.

Most shelters also conduct behavior assessments, which can help educate prospective adopters about behavioral issues each dog may have. The behavior team continually evaluates a dog's behavior during the animal's stay at the shelter and updates recommendations for the ideal home for the dog as new information becomes available. In addition, many shelter employees and volunteers spend time with animals every day, sometimes in a foster home, and are able to educate prospective adopters about behavioral issues that can help influence the decision to adopt an animal. It's important to note that a dog's behavior is not always a complete indicator of how it will behave in a new home, and animal shelters may offer various forms of post-adoption support to help with any questions that may arise in the future. 🇧🇷

6. How can I prepare to bring the dog home?

One of the first things you'll need to do is buy basic items like a leash, leash, dog bed, treats, and a food and water bowl.

Before you bring a new puppy into your home, you should also take steps to make sure your home is safe for him. This includes keeping dangerous decorations or poisonous foods and plants out of their reach. You can check this list101 things you didn't know could harm your petas a helpful guide. Make sure anything valuable you don't want your dog chewing on, including spectacles, clothing, and phone chargers, is out of reach.

You will also want to usedog cagesand gates to enclose your new pup if he is left home alone until he is housebroken and comfortable with a chew toy. And providing your dog with the appropriate toys will help stimulate him and prevent him from chewing on items like shoes and furniture and becoming anxious when left alone.

Also, you should knowwhat not to feed your dog🇧🇷 For example, chocolate, chewing gum, candy, xylitol, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, avocados, onions, garlic, salt, tea leaves, dough raw yeast, spoiled or greasy food, coffee and alcohol are harmful to dogs. .

If your dog has ingested something poisonous, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at 888-426-4435 immediately. The APCC is available 24 hours a day. A $75 consultation may apply.

You should also purchase some of the basic starter kit items when you bring a dog home, including a leash, food and water bowls, a comfortable bed, waste bags, and treats. You can also do some research to get an idea of ​​the annual routine wellness expenses in your area and to estimate how much money will be needed to finance veterinary care. Contacting certified rewards-based trainers in your area is also a must when looking to bring home a newly adopted dog. Trainers can help your new pet adjust comfortably, and if behavior problems arise, they can help resolve those issues quickly when they are easier to change.

Do you want to know what to consider when adopting a dog? It's good to start by asking yourself the following questions: "Am I ready to get a dog?" and "What kind of dog should I get?" adapts to your lifestyle.

Do you want to know what to consider when adopting a dog? It's good to start by asking yourself the following questions: "Am I ready to get a dog?" and "What kind of dog should I get?" adapts to your lifestyle.

7. What can I expect in the first few months with a rescue dog?

Anticipating what to expect when adopting a dog can be overwhelming, but remember that the first few months with a new dog are all about building a relationship. From the dog's point of view, they don't realize they are being adopted and loved. As far as they know, they were taken from a family environment.

In the first weeks and months of adoption, it's important to take it easy and bond with your new dog. As much as you learn about the dog, you will also learn what to expect from yourself. During this time, avoid stressful interactions as much as possible, including dog parks, large gatherings, and crowded places. Keeping an open mind and approaching each situation patiently can be helpful, as animals often need time to adjust and adjust while learning more about your habits and those of your family. Let your dog lead the socialization and avoid hugging and kissing until you get to know each other better. Also, theft accidents can happen from time to time, which is perfectly normal.

8. What is the best way to introduce a new dog to another dog in the house? A cat?

It is important to remember that not all dogs are compatible with other dogs and cats. Animal shelters can often give you information about each dog's behavior toward other animals and help you determine if the dog you're interested in would be a good match for your family of pets. Many shelters encourage prospective adopters to bring their resident dogs for a performance under the guidance of a professional behavior team.

That being said, the best way to introduce a new dog to the family is to meet him in a neutral location and walk him together. Parallel walking is a great way for dogs to get to know each other without putting too much pressure on them to interact with each other.

Leave some space and walk a little. Let him sniff gradually until he is comfortable and then move on. You can eventually make your way inside. Remember to get quality toys, food, and other resources for the initial induction period so dogs don't fight over these things.

The best way to introduce your new dog to a resident cat is to keep them completely separate for a few days and let them get to know each other's scent through scent swapping. When introducing them, use a barrier or baby gate for the first few interactions and always start the dog on a leash for the first few dates until you're sure the dog won't be too eager to meet the cat. You can give treats and lots of encouragement to be nice to each other, and always give the cat plenty of vertical space to escape if he gets overwhelmed.

We would like to thank Rena Lafaille for taking the time to answer our questions. visit theASPCA Adoption Centeronline to learn more about her and her wonderful work. But be warned, you may come across a rescue dog on her website that you won't be able to resist taking home!

_{The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace the advice of your veterinarian.}