The #AdoptDontShop campaign has been hugely successful over the past few years, encouraging animal lovers across the world to adopt from shelters rather than purchasing from breeders. But some people still have reservations about adopting a dog, worrying that they might have some issues from their previous owners or simply preferring to pick a brand new puppy of their own.
But we love dogs of every kind at Snoozer, no matter where they come from! Which is why we’ve put together our list of reasons for loving lovely adopted dogs.
They’re loving.
Many dogs in shelters have never experienced loving homes, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t loving creatures themselves. Anyone who’s ever had a dog knows how much love every dog has within them, more love than you ever thought possible, and that’s as true of shelter dogs as any other kind. And because they may have never had a place to put all that love before, you get to have it!
They’re brave.
You know a shelter dog can fend for itself. Shelters provide incredible levels of care and attention to their animals, but it’ll never beat the loving care and attention that a dedicated family can provide. So you know that when you adopt a dog, they won’t necessarily be too needy, making them ideal if you too appreciate a bit of independence or have young children who already take up enough of your attention!
They’re less expensive.
Usually when you adopt a pet there will be a small fee, but it generally takes care of any neutering/spaying costs required and any vaccinations. Purchasing a brand new puppy can be enormously expensive, and adopting a dog is a great way to get all that love and affection of a new family member without the cost.
They’re older.
Some people are put off by the idea of adopting anything other than a young puppy because they fear they’ll have less time with them, but in truth we never know how much time we’ll be lucky enough to have with our beloved companions, so don’t let that put you off. The benefits of an older dog are that they’ve already been trained, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of puppy-training classes or domesticating a dog yourself. Plus, depending on the breed, some dogs can actually live up to 20 years.
They’re great companions.
Particularly for older people who might be on their own, an adopted dog from a shelter is a great way of having daily company without the hassle (and expense) of a new puppy. Dogs from shelters come with ready-made personalities, traits and habits, as well as an awful lot of love to give. Once you’ve clicked with a shelter dog, you’re each other’s for life.
They need you.
According to dognotebook.com, around 50% of dogs that go into shelters never come out again. Through no fault of their own, countless dogs are abandoned every year, and every single one of them will benefit from the kind of love and attention that only a dedicated owner can provide. It’s tempting to believe that dogs are safe and happy inside shelters, which can be true, but often in spite of the best efforts of shelter workers, dogs develop a condition called “kennel crazy” where they simply fail to adjust to shelter conditions and are euthanized. We can’t think of a more compelling reason than that to adopt.
If you’ve adopted a dog, we’d love to hear your stories. Send us pictures of your beloved new family members and we’ll feature them on our Instagram account, where we post more dog pictures than you ever knew existed! Make sure you've following us by clicking here.
