See how you can help improve the life of a homeless dog by adopting one from an animal shelter or pound. The facts and figures relating to abandoned and surrendered dogs in the US today are shocking … and heartbreaking! But there is a way for you to make a difference – adopt a puppy or rescue dog when you decide to add a four-legged companion to your family. This could be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do.
If you’re thinking about adding a new puppy to your family, why not consider adopting him from your local animal shelter or city Pound?
Most of the pounds and rescues are overflowing with dogs who crave for a loving home.
You may think that only older or ‘problem’ dogs end up in the shelter, but you’d be wrong!
Many older puppies and juvenile dogs (between 9 and 12 months of age) give up on shelters every day. And often the trash ‘oops’ (unexpected or unwanted puppy) or mama dog or abandoned trash, ends up there too. Even purebred dogs and puppies can be found in animal and pound shelters across the country (estimates of purebreds in shelters range from 25 – 40% of all homeless dogs).
The facts and figures surrounding homeless dogs in the United States are horrendous, and heartbreaking. According to the National Council on the Study and Policy of Pet Populations, about 2 MILLION dogs enter US shelters each year. And it’s getting worse – the statistics gathered by other groups are even higher, sometimes up to 8 MILLION + dogs give up every year! When you take into account that it is estimated that only 1 in 10 homeless dogs will ever be adopted, that’s a truly shocking and tragic picture.
These puppies and dogs are homeless without fault of their own, and most of them will make as healthy, loving, and wonderful pets as any pup you can get from a breeder.
Breed breed puppies from breeders can easily cost $ 1000- $ 1500 (and often more), while pure, rescued puppies often do not cost more than $ 300- $ 500.Mix breed homeless puppies will cost significantly less, depending on the pound cost or individual shelter.
There are also other financial savings.
When you adopt a pup from the pound or rescue center, it will likely be sterilized or sanitized and updated on all shots. You may even get additional ‘perks’, such as a discount on training classes or something similar.
Of course, saving money shouldn’t be a major consideration. Far more important is the fact that you can literally, literally, save lives! Not every pound or rescue shelter can have a ‘no kill policy’ in place, and millions of dogs are euthanized every year. This is despite the fact that they are very healthy, temperamentally healthy and want nothing more than home and family to call it their own.
Older / older puppies or dogs are more often at risk of being ‘simplified’ as they pass through the ‘cute puppy’ stage. However, these homeless dogs can make wonderful pets and are easier to care for, and settle down more quickly, when they are given the opportunity for a new home.
Puppies are adorable, but they are HARD WORK and very time and labor intensive. Even puppies that are slightly older (4 months plus) are easier to housebreak and train than 8 week old ‘baby’ puppies. Adult dogs (anything over 12 – 18 months) are generally well mannered, often have broken houses and are at least partially obedient trained, and come out of the ‘chew everything’ stage. All pluses for sure!
If you think you can adopt a puppy or dog, and give it a chance for a better life, go to your local City Pound or save some shelter and talk to the staff about homeless dogs there. They are usually very helpful and knowledgeable, and are more than happy to help you choose the right canine companion.
Obviously, every puppy or dog needs a little time adjusting to the new home and family. But lots of love, attention, patience, toys and a good diet are all they need.
So, moving on, give it some thoughts! Adopting a homeless puppy is probably one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. The puppy or dog that you bring home will be the one that is green
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