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