10 Reasons Why You Should Adopt a Shelter Dog

10 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Shelter Dog

There are many reasons to adopt a dog from a shelter. When you visit a shelter, you hear the animals before you see them.

Amidst the noise, you’ll also get a few puppy tongue laps, a brush against the leg from a kitten, and a happy wag of a tail from a potential forever friend.

How can you resist? Despite the fact that you have no idea about the history of that cute canine you’re considering, you can find huge benefits to adopting a shelter dog. Worried about the costs? Pet insurance can help cover the eligible costs of veterinary services for your new family member.

Here’s why you should adopt a dog, and why you might not ever want to consider another option ever again. (Not to mention, can you imagine the tail wagging you’ll experience once you adopt your new furry friend?)

10 Reasons Why You Should Adopt a Dog

Why Adopt a Pet?

1. You save a pet’s life.

Do you need a better reason to adopt a dog? All animals at a shelter need a second chance at a loving home. Sadly, every single dog in a shelter or rescue group is a lost dog or an abandoned dog. Some unwanted strays come from abusive owners.

Unfortunately, there aren’t enough homes or shelters for the number of pets born each year and some roam free on the streets. Many people simply cannot afford to get their pets fixed.

However, what’s more rewarding than offering a dog your home as its forever home? It’s the best reason why you should adopt.

2. Working from home?

Your timing is perfect. It’s never been a better time to take these animals from local shelters and you help that number decline.

Heartwarmingly, coronavirus helped encourage people living and working from home to foster and adopt pets.

Shelters report an outpouring of community support to get animals into loving foster and adoptive homes.

Join the crowd. Who doesn’t want a best friend at their feet under the desk? Read more on tips for working from home with a dog.

3. You help discourage mass breeding.

Another reason why you should adopt a shelter dog is to help avoid mass breeding. How can you alone do that? You’ve heard of puppy mills, but how can adopting one puppy from a shelter reduce dependence on puppy mills?

Believe it or not, you make a difference. Watch out – puppy mills (and kitten mills) can exist in people’s backyards – not just in facilities.

These animals spend their whole lives in cages and often live in inhumane conditions and they’re forced to produce as many litters as they can.

Adopting a shelter dog is one way to avoid supporting mills (even if the animal you adopt was originally born in a puppy mill.)

4. You have the option of getting an older dog. 

An adult animal might exhibit a calmer demeanor and might even have some tricks up his sleeve – a shelter animal is likely already familiar with “sit,” “stay,” “come” and “no” because shelter employees and volunteers regularly work with these animals and teach them the basics and help socialize them with other animals, too. Learn more about adopting a puppy vs. an older dog.

5. You can choose from mixed-breed animals.

Mixed-breed animals (you may also call them mutts) are less likely to have received a high dose of any particular breed’s genes.

Many mixed-breed dogs present a lower rate of health conditions, such as hip dysplasia, spinal diseases, knee problems, cancers, heart disease, and more, compared to their purebred counterparts.

Your mixed-breed pet may live to a ripe old age, thanks to its genetics. Also, consider this as well: mixed-breed dogs often have more moderate temperaments because they were not bred for specific activities like hunting or herding.

6. You can get a well-cared-for dog.

From vaccinations to training, experienced and trained staff members typically take good care of shelter animals. In addition, volunteers passionate about shelter animals also care for them and veterinary care is usually offered to shelter animals.

Any trouble spots shelter animals have (inability to get along with other dogs, aversion to cats or kids, etc.) a technician will likely know about it before you even leave the shelter.

7. You support a nonprofit organization.

While this isn’t usually the first reason why you adopt a shelter dog (that fuzzy face is usually the draw) nonprofit organizations play an important role in our society.

Nonprofit organizations like animal shelters let you support an important cause – without having to mop out doggie stalls or change litter boxes for lots and lots of animals.

Donating to a nonprofit organization also keeps it going and funded. Every time you donate, you work to save animals in need.

8. You won’t pay exorbitant amounts of money for a shelter dog.

Purebred dogs can cost a lot of money. Alternatively, you can save a lot of money by adopting a dog from a shelter.

Frankly, it’s cheaper to buy a shelter dog. The Humane Society relies on private donations, fundraising, and standard adoption fees to cover its costs.

Dog adoption fees typically include the following:

Check with the shelter in your area to find out exactly what’s included in dogs’ adoption fees. Every shelter varies and may even come with other perks not listed here.

Related: how much does caring for a dog cost?

9. You encourage others to head to the shelter as well.

When you bring your dog to the park and people ask where you got your beautiful dog, you can refer them to the shelter. A mention of how well cared for your dog was and the unbelievably helpful staff sends a great message – your dog’s adoption may encourage others to do the same.

10. Pet insurance can help with eligible vet bills

Once you take your adopted forever friend home from the shelter, you know you can find ways to save money with coupons for kibble, a kennel donated by a neighbor, and leashes from well-meaning relatives.

Help protect yourself from future eligible vet bill costs with a pet insurance plan from Spot Pet Insurance.

Adopt a Shelter Dog

Give yourself a pat on the back. You should feel good about your choice to help a homeless pet, and there are plenty of reasons and benefits to adopt a dog from a shelter. A professional will be able to tell you a lot about a dog you’re considering adopting.