This semester, I've had the opportunity to volunteer at the local animal shelter. Some dogs have been there since the very first day I walked through those doors five months ago. Some have been adopted, and then brought right back. And heartbreakingly enough, some of those sweet babies will never stand a chance.
Here are some of the reasons these dogs are brought in. Some owners simply just don't want them anymore -- which amazes me. Mainly because I consider my dogs my children, and I could never imagine the day that I just didn't want them. Some have been in abusive homes and some have been abandoned for the majority of their precious lives. But even after all of these things, these animals still show nothing but love. Even after not being loved their whole life, they still trust and love a random volunteer or staff member with their whole heart. So, why rescue?
1. Less training.
The majority of rescue dogs have already been housebroken. Also, many of the animals in shelters are trained by volunteers and/or staff members on a daily basis. For example, my dog (a rescue) was fully trained and house broken when we adopted her. Bonus!
2. Cost.
No surprise here. Adopting a dog from a shelter is much cheaper than buying a pure-bred from pet shops or local breeders. Almost all animals in shelters are spayed/neutered and given all their shots, too. That's even more money saved. (Even though giving a pup from your local shelter a forever home is priceless.)
3. Many shelter dogs are victims of abuse and abandonment.
By adopting a rescue dog, you are automatically increasing their quality of life. The amount of happiness you have brought them in such a short amount of time is immeasurable. And besides, there really is nothing better than seeing the before and after pictures of adopted dogs.
4. Possible euthanasia.
Like I said earlier, some of these dogs don't even stand a chance. Some of them get looked past because of something as simple as their age or breed. Unfortunately, not all shelters are "no-kill," and some animals will get put down simply because they aren't adoptable. Many shelter dogs will never actually experience what it's like to be truly loved. You are saving lives.
5. Temperament and behavior testing.
Each dog undergoes temperament and behavior testing to make sure they have the potential to be adopted. This helps staff and volunteers understand how dogs work with other dogs, cats, and even people. When you rescue, what you see is basically what you get. And I'm sure there is at least one at a shelter near you that fits into your life.
6. Unconditional love.
Despite all hardships, these rescues have nothing but love to give. They will welcome you back home as if you've been gone for three days and not three hours, and you will forever have a best friend to lean on.
Note: All dogs pictured above are available for adoption at the Oktibbeha County Humane Society, located in Starkville, Miss.
