The day you bring home a new dog is a memorable day. Rescuing a dog nearly five years ago changed my life. My family learned about a 96-pound one-and-a-half-year-old goldendoodle trapped in a laundry room all day. The parents both worked all day, and the young children were at preschool. When they came home, the boisterous puppy bounced all over the house, chewed up the kids’ toys and jumped up on visitors. His lack of discipline was made worse by his size and strength. Thus, he was contained and returned to the laundry room for the night. We brought him home and gave him lots of love, attention and training. Five months later, he is obedient and loving. This experience has made me more aware and compassionate towards animals in our community. Dogs need someone to love them back.

Before adopting, some research should be made to answer a few questions. New pet owners should consider the size, temperament and age of the dog. New pet owners also have a choice between pet stores, breeders or animal shelters. The best option is the animal shelter.

According to the Humane Society, between three to four million cats and dogs are euthanized each year in shelters because of lack of space and no one willing to adopt. Shelters all across the country are being forced to put down animals because they don’t have the means to care for all their needs. Because of the tight economy and natural disasters, some Americans have suddenly become unable to care for their beloved pet. According to the Humane Society, by adopting from a shelter, you are actually saving the lives of two pets. First, you save the life of the dog you take home, and second, the space you just created at the shelter saves another dog. The best place to find your next pet is at the animal shelter.

Rest assured, you will find healthy and happy dogs at the animal shelter. Nearly every animal shelter vaccinates and spays or neuters dogs before putting them up for adoption. They also screen them carefully to make sure they have an even temperament and are not a threat to a new owner. Some believe that dogs are in shelters because they have been abused or are “bad” in some way. According to the Humane Society, the sad fact is that most dogs find themselves in the shelter because of their previous owner’s circumstances. Perhaps the family had to move from a home to an apartment. Maybe financial changes forced them to give up the family dog. Or maybe, the family doesn’t have the time to care for the pet. Regardless of the reason that brought the dog to the shelter, each dog deserves another chance with a loving family.

The most convincing reason to find your next dog at a shelter is to put a stop to puppy mills who stock the pet stores. These inhumane breeding grounds give little medical care to the puppies and overbreed adult dogs. Unsuspecting consumers only promote this unsavory business when they buy the dogs at a pet store or directly from the breeder’s website. Go out and rescue a pet today!