Important Things to Know Before Adopting a Dog

You are finally in a position to adopt a dog for yourself or your family. You’re living in an apartment that allows pet animals, and you have also convinced everyone in your home about your “adopting a dog” decision. Or, it’s likely that you have had always liked the idea of having a pet but have never gotten a chance to get one, and now you are finally fulfilling your wish. Maybe your kids love pets, and you are adopting a dog to make them happy. Whatever the reason is, we congratulate you for making this decision. You won’t be disappointed, not even once. Dogs make people’s lives so much better by showering their owners with constant love and care. There is no doubt that they make for the best companions in the world.

Getting a dog is a great decision to make, and it comes with a lot of benefits – both physical and mental, but it also comes with immense responsibility. You just can’t head over to a shelter and get any dog your eyes fall upon. There are many significant things to consider before actually adopting one; to make this process easier for you, we have gathered all those things that you must know before you invest in a pet!

  1. Adopting a Dog Can Be Expensive

    You may absolutely love dogs and are ready to get one, but it is important to ponder over whether or not you can afford it. It can be quite disappointing if you go to a dog shelter with high hopes, only to have them dashed when you find out that the dogs there are beyond your budget.

    Adopting a dog is only the first part of your pet’s expenditure. Your dog’s food, toys, kennel, and vet care can all add up to become a hefty investment. You will have to constantly invest in your dog’s health and maintenance to keep it happy and satisfied. Therefore, you must ensure that you have enough money to afford a dog.

    For your help, we have listed down a rough estimate of all the costs involved in adopting and owning a dog.

    • Generally, dog adoption fees can range from about $100 to $400.
    • Since it is important to feed your dog high-quality food and treats, this can cost around $20 to $60 per month (Please note that food expenses vary depending on the size and energy of your dog).
    • Vaccination and routine care may cost somewhere between $100 – $400.
    • Collars, leashes, bed, crate, toys can all add up to cost you around $51 – $550.
    • Heartworm tests – $35.
    • Tick/flea preventions $40 – $200.
  2. Dogs Can Live Up to 10 to 20 Years, so Thinking Long Term Is Crucial

    Before you bring a new furry companion into your home, you will have to go over your life goals and plans. What are you planning to do in the next five years or so? Will you move to another city or country? Will you get married?

    According to your life plans, you will have to choose a dog. If in case any of these situations occur down the line, you should have it covered in advance. If your future plans involve expanding your family, make sure that you get a family-friendly dog so that you don’t have to give up your pet in any case.

  3. The Dog You Get Should Fit into Your Lifestyle

    It is no secret that every dog breed has a different personality. Different dogs have different sizes, temperament, energy levels, exercise needs, and food demands. Therefore, it is important to figure out which type of dog breed will best suit your lifestyle.

    For example, if you have kids and want a pet that can be their play buddy, you can consider a lively and playful dog breed. On the other hand, if you want a pet merely for protection, get a guard dog.

  4. Puppies vs. Older Dogs

    Besides considering dog breeds, you will need to choose whether you want a puppy or an older dog. Keep in mind that puppies need a lot of training and attention in the early stages of their lives.

    They need to be toilet trained and require behavioral/obedience training as well. Plus, puppies chew and teethe a lot. If you don’t want your pet chewing your household items and don’t have the stamina to train them, consider getting an older dog. An adult dog will likely be trained already so you won’t need to pay that much attention to their training and activities.

  5. Rescue Dogs Come with Their Own Emotional Baggage

    It is important to know that rescue dogs have already faced their own share of hardships by the time they come to you. They may have behavioral problems – being aggressive, distant, or anxious, or they may be picky when it comes to being fed. You can’t expect a rescue dog to be perfect. The point to consider is whether or not you are willing to take up this responsibility.

    Ask yourself – will you be able to deal with their issues without losing your cool?

    It may be challenging in the beginning. But in case things get out of hand, you can always seek a professional’s help.

Conclusion

Having a furry BFF offers so many amazing benefits, but they also demand a lot of care and preparation. It is just like having kids and being involved with them. You give them love, care, and attention, and they will repay you with love and devotion. But make sure that you are fully ready to commit to a dog and own it; otherwise, it won’t be fair to that beloved creature.


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