| Adopting a dog from a Humane Society, or a private | | | | if they are not rehomed within a certain period of |
| shelter, can be a great gift to the dogs fighting for | | | | time, these shelters place dogs in foster homes until |
| survival on the streets, abandoned by owners, or | | | | a new owner is found. The advantage of adopting a |
| mistreated before they were rescued. However, this | | | | dog from one of these places is that the |
| should not be done naively, or with the heart alone. | | | | temperament of the dog will be more well known. |
| Any new purchase of a dog needs to be done | | | | Plus, many of the behavioral issues that can come |
| carefully, and not on impulse. There is nothing worse, | | | | from the trauma of being abandoned, or being |
| for the family or the dog, to take a dog into your | | | | abused, are healed in a loving environment by the |
| care and then discover that problems arise which you | | | | foster carer before the dog is available for adoption. |
| are unable to handle. This ultimately contributes to | | | | Things like how well a dog interacts with other dogs |
| the sad fate of abandoned dogs. | | | | will generally be known, which is essential if you have |
| There are many factors to consider when thinking | | | | a multi-pet household. |
| about getting a new pet. There are the ongoing | | | | No Kill shelters also rehabilitate very sick or |
| costs of food, vet bills from routine operations like | | | | malnourished dogs before they are put up for |
| desexing and minor illnesses or mishaps, as well as | | | | adoption. Most shelters and humane societies check a |
| the time and money involved in training dogs. | | | | dog's health before letting them get adopted, so you |
| Depending on your experience with dogs, you may | | | | at least know what you are getting in to. They can |
| need to take your dog along to an obedience school. | | | | also provide advice on whether a dog is suitable for a |
| Dogs need to be trained so that they know how to | | | | more experienced dog owner, whether a dog is |
| behave around people, to prevent any biting or | | | | suitable for a family, and can provide tips on how to |
| aggressive behaviour around neighbors or small | | | | smoothly integrate a dog into a new household. |
| children, and to establish a harmonious and | | | | To decide to adopt a dog is a very noble thing to do, |
| understanding relationship with their owners. Many of | | | | especially given the huge number of unwanted dogs |
| the reasons people abandon dogs and other pets can | | | | in the world. As well as that, by adopting a dog from |
| be avoided if they take the time to train their dog, | | | | a shelter, you're actually helping that shelter help |
| and understand where the behaviours that | | | | other animals. Whilst these dogs are not free, the |
| exasperate come from - and what to do about | | | | charge is nominal, and generally covers health care |
| them. That is responsible dog ownership. | | | | costs for the dog. Many dogs may be given away |
| One of the advantages of adopting a dog from a | | | | free 'to a good home', but going this path is risky. |
| shelter or humane society is that the animal will | | | | You won't know if the dog has a serious or |
| usually be desexed. Despite some lingering mythology | | | | contagious illness, which can be a disaster if you have |
| around the subject, desexing does not psychologically | | | | other pets. Plus, you won't get unbiased advice on |
| or developmentally harm the dog in any way. That is | | | | that dog's temperament, or history. Many times |
| a projection of a human response onto an animal of | | | | these owners really just want to get rid of the dogs |
| a completely different species. | | | | in their care, and not all are scrupulous about to |
| Some private dog shelters have a 'No Kill' policy. This | | | | whom they give the dogs to. |
| means that unlike many others that euthanase a dog | | | | |