After college, the first thing I plan to do is find a place to live and adopt a dog of my own. I will definitely get that dog from a shelter. Being the dog lover I am, I know that is the right thing to do because so many dogs are in need of homes. Here are seven reasons why you should adopt.
1. It's affordable
When you buy a dog from a breeder or pet store, chances are that you are forking out $800 - $2,000 for a puppy. In my opinion, that is absurd. Who can afford that? Not me, that’s for sure. Shelter dogs typically range from $0 - $250. Shelters truly want to find homes for the pets, so they try their best to keep prices as affordable as possible. I would much rather adopt a shelter dog and spend the extra money that I saved on toys and treats!
2. You're saving a life
Every single dog in the shelter has a story; some stories are worse than others. By adopting a dog, you are giving him or her a second chance. Imagine spending the rest of your life in a shelter, with nowhere to call home. This is reality for some dogs. Each year, about 1.2 million unwanted dogs are euthanized. By adopting a dog from a shelter, you are saving his or her life.
3. You have options
Many people steer away from shelters because they think they won’t find that purebred dog they’ve always wanted. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s not true. 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred. There are many different breeds of all different ages. All you have to do is look around. If one shelter doesn’t have it, another one will. Shelters are getting new dogs daily, so stay on the lookout. Shelters are more than happy to help you find the dog of your dreams. So before you go find a breeder, check out your local shelters.
4. Shelters make sure that your dog is the right fit for you
When you get a dog, you are getting a new member of the family. You have to make sure that dog is right for you. Believe it or not, dogs have personalities just like people do. And some of the best ones, at that! So when you adopt a dog, the shelter staff will help you make sure that dog is the perfect fit for you and your family.
5. You aren’t contributing to overpopulation
We all know there are way too many dogs being bred. By adopting a dog, you aren’t contributing to the puppy mill and breeder business. More business = more dogs = overpopulation. Help stop overpopulation and adopt from a shelter.
6. Shelter dogs are healthy dogs
Shelter dogs have their shots all up to date, are spayed/neutered and have had regular vet appointments. Shelters make sure the dogs are as healthy as they can be before sending them to a new home. As for breeders and puppy mills, not so much. 10 years ago, my family bought two Yorkiepoos from a breeder six hours away. They seemed fine when we bought them but didn’t even make it home before they both nearly stopped breathing. We rushed them to the vet. It turns out they had severe cases of kennel cough, which is caused by poor living conditions. The breeder was not cooperative when we called to complain, but after hours of arguing, she finally agreed to pay the vet bill. A couple months later, her breeding business was shut down. Bottom line: shelter dogs are healthier.
7. You'll have a new best friend
Dogs really are a man’s best friend. They make you happy, and you make them happy. Shelter dogs are just as great of a companion as bred dogs, if not better. If dogs could talk, these dogs would thank you for saving their lives and in return, show you what it means to be a best friend.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that buying a dog from a breeder is a bad thing, because I have two perfect little breeder pooches at home. I’m saying that before you go and buy your 'dream dog’ from a breeder, spend some time with a shelter dog and your vision of your dream dog might just change.
