10 Reasons Why Shelter Dogs Make Great Pets

Shelter Dogs Make Great Pets | If you’re planning on bringing a new furry addition to your family, adopting a shelter dog is a much better alternative to buying a dog.

Adopting a rescue pup will change your life in ways you never imagined. Not only are you saving one life by giving the dog a new home, but you taking one pup home will give space for the shelter to rescue more. Apart from this being a genuine act of kindness, here are 10 reasons why shelter dogs make great pets:

1. It’s Love at First Sight

Having a pet dog comes with a lot of responsibilities, and if you’re seriously considering adopting a pup, then you have probably thought things through. However, there’s a chance that you may not know which dog will be the perfect match for you. Don’t rush the process; you will eventually come across that one dog which will make you instantly fall in love with them. Whether you walk into a physical shelter or find a photo online, you will know exactly when you find your perfect match.

2. The Dog’s Personality Details are Available

Shelter dogs grow up around volunteers, shelter workers, and foster families who have a full record of the personality of each dog. This includes how friendly they are with people, their temperament, how possessive they are with their food and toys. Shelter workers will guide you to a dog that fits your requirements and family.

3. Shelter Dogs are Trained

Since rescue dogs are taken care of by staff workers, most of them have already been trained to respond to basic commands like sit, stay, eat, and how to walk properly with a leash. If you want to skip the hassle of training your dog or want a dog that’s already been house-trained, then adopting a rescue dog is your best bet.

4. Shelter Dogs Bond Easily

There’s a common misconception that shelter dogs are aggressive and take their time to bond with their new family. But this is far from the truth. Like any dog, rescue pups need tender, love, and care, and they are more eager to bond with the new people in their lives.

5. They Act as Great Guard Dogs

Your new pet is grateful to have a new home and may quickly become territorial towards the family and the house. It may take some time for your dog to get used to having guests over, but they offer security to you and your family. Shelter dogs make great dogs who will be ready to attack anyone who threatens their family.

6. Shelter Dogs are Up-to-Date with their Medical Care

Most rescue shelters come with veterinary care clinics present within the premise. Every dog that gets rescued undergoes a medical examination and receive their vaccine shots. Additionally, they also perform procedures like spaying or neutering. If you’re looking for a healthy, vaccinated pet, then adopting a rescue dog will ensure your pup is up-to-date with their medical care.

7. Shelter Dogs Cost Less

Dog breeders and purebred sellers have expensive price points for dogs as they sell them at a profit. When adopting a dog from the rescue shelter, you will only be paying a fraction of the price that essentially only covers a portion of the shelter’s cost.

8. Shelter Dogs Barely Have Genetic Health Conditions

Dogs from breeders and dog mils often come with a plethora of genetic problems caused by poor breeding practices. Purebred dogs are more likely to suffer from health conditions due to being bred over generations. Buying dogs from breeders barely ever get veterinary care, and you never know what sort of health problems your new dog will face. Therefore, it is a better option to adopt a rescue dog as they are mixed-breed and have fewer genetic health problems.

9. Shelter Dogs Keep you Active

Having a dog means taking them out for regular walks around your neighborhood or taking them to the park. There are several health benefits for you and your dog if you go for walks outdoor. Rescue dogs often don’t have anyone to take them out for walks and give them extra care while they are at the shelter. Therefore, if you adopt a dog from the rescue shelter, the chances are that you will be more motivated to take them for a stroll and spend more time bonding with your new pup.

10. Rescue Dogs Teach your Selflessness

Usually, the dogs who end up in rescue shelters have a traumatic history that has left them emotionally scarred. The shelter workers will inform you beforehand of the experiences the dog has been through and what its triggers are. It may not always be easy to give all your time and energy to your new dog and keep its needs above your own. But as you treat your dog with kindness and love, you will notice them opening up to you and letting their guard down. This rewarding feeling will teach you how a small act of selflessness can go a long way.

Our Final Thoughts

Every family has a specific dog in mind when they decide to add a new furry pet to their family. Some may want a big guard dog, while others prefer a small dog that likes to cuddle in your lap. Regardless of your preference, by visiting an animal shelter today, you will find a lonely dog waiting for its forever home that will become the perfect addition to your family. Although it takes a lot of work to get a rescue dog accustomed to the new environment, the benefits that come as a result of it are endless.


by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™

Facts About Animal Homelessness:

  1. Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.
  2. The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up, or animal control finds them on the street.
  3. Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. Act as a publicist for your local shelter so pets can find homes. Sign up for Shelter Pet PR.
  4. Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.
  5. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of cats and only 15 to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners.
  6. 25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.
  7. About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.
  8. It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States. Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.
  9. Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, sees millions of these “excess” animals killed annually.
  10. Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
  11. According to The Humane Society, there are about 3,500 brick-and-mortar animal shelters in the US and 10,000 rescue groups and animal sanctuaries in North America.

Here are a some adoptions for consideration:  puccicafe.com/adoptions