Deciding where you want to get a dog can be difficult. Nowadays, there are so many options available for potential dog owners—from getting your pup from a breeder to adopting from your local animal shelter.
Although there are many factors that go into deciding where to get your dog, you should always consider getting your dog from an animal shelter. 3.9 million dogs go into animal shelters annually—and unfortunately, around 1.2 million of those dogs are euthanized because no one adopts them. Even worse, there are many negative misconceptions about dogs from animal shelters, which is why people are sometimes hesitant to get their dogs from animal shelters.
However, by busting these myths and misconceptions, we can hopefully increase shelter adoption numbers and find these dogs new and loving homes! Keep reading on to read six common misconceptions about shelter dogs and the actual truth!
1. “I can’t rescue a dog because I want a puppy.”
Many people refrain from getting their new pup from an animal shelter because they believe that there aren’t many puppies in animal shelters—but this is not necessarily true. Although there are some older dogs in animal shelters, there are puppies, too! In fact, the average age of a shelter dog is 18 months, which is still a puppy.
However, there is also nothing wrong with adopting an older dog. Many older dogs can be more mellow than puppies and are typically better trained. And puppies can sometimes be a lot of work, especially for first-time dog owners. When considering getting a dog, keep your options open and try to be open to potentially adopting an older dog! They need loving homes, too.
2. “I want a purebred dog, so I can’t adopt.”
Some people want to get their dog through a breeder because they want a purebred dog. There is a common misconception that animal shelters only have mixed breed dogs—but this isn’t necessarily true! Animal shelters do have some purebred dogs, but it may be also important to ask yourself this question: What are your reasons for wanting a purebred dog? How is a purebred dog different from a mixed breed dog? If you spend your time just looking for one very specific type of dog, you could miss out on a really unique and loving pup that perhaps fits better with your personality and household! Compatibility is more important than looks.
3. “Shelter dogs aren’t loyal or obedient.”
The thing about dogs is that they are known for their loyalty, so this myth is frankly just silly! If you show a dog love and bring them into a warm and welcoming environment, they will be loyal to you—it’s just their nature.
In terms of obedience, it may take some time to train your newly adopted dog, but that is true of any type of dog and no matter where you get them from. How obedient your dog is depends on your dog’s previous training experience, breed, and tons of other factors. Some shelter dogs are even trained in their shelters or from previous owners, which actually may work in your favor!
4. “Shelter dogs are damaged goods.”
While there are some dogs that are given away to animal shelters because they have underlying health or behavioral issues, there are other factors that could lead a dog to an animal shelter. Their owner may have gotten several sick, died, or may have not been able to financially provide for their dog. It’s important not to be so quick to judge, because sometimes you really don’t know a dog’s story of how they got to an animal shelter.
Unfortunately, this myth is one of the strongest and saddest misconceptions that drives owners away from getting their dogs from animal shelters. There are so many amazing dogs in animal shelters, and regardless of their issues—if they even have any—they are not damaged goods.
5. “Shelter dogs are dirty and have fleas.”
It is true that some dogs may come into animal shelters not so clean—but they don’t stay that way! Many dog and animal shelters have special cleaning protocols in place to ensure their dogs are clean and healthy.
When dogs first come into animal shelters, it is common for them to be quarantined until they are fully vetted and treated for potential diseases or health issues. Dogs in animal shelters are also closely monitored for fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Many volunteers who work at animal shelters are also responsible for regularly cleaning dogs to make sure they look and feel their best!
6. “I’ll never love a shelter dog.”
Once you click with a dog and bring them home, it doesn’t matter where they came from—they are yours and you are capable of loving them. And likewise, they are fully capable of loving you!
No Comments