If you have a dog-shaped hole in your heart that needs filling, then you may have considered adoption. Adopting a dog is an extremely rewarding experience; however, many people are put off by the myths that people spread about rescue dogs. It is true that some dogs have had a horrible past, but this does not mean that they don’t deserve a second chance. If you are on the fence about adoption and would like to understand it a bit better, today we will be taking a look into everything you need to know about adopting a dog.
Do Plenty of Research
Whether you plan to adopt a dog or purchase one from a breeder, you must do plenty of research into dog ownership before you take that step. Think very carefully about which dog breed will be best for your family. Poodle mix breeds, such as Cockapoos (like Dodge the dog, who is often on this blog) are very popular with families as they are so friendly. Each different cross has its own particular set of characteristics and traits so do look into this carefully and compare a labradoodle vs goldendoodle etc. Once you’ve decided on a particular look or breed, then you should look in even more detail into their grooming requirements, typical behaviour, common health issues, dietary and exercise requirements, best training methods, and anything else that you want to know. When you know what you are getting yourself into, the tough times won’t come as such a shock, which will reduce the risk of you giving up too soon on your new furry friend.
It Will Take Time
The one thing that puts many people off adoption is the time it can take to find the right pooch and then make a successful application. It is true that this can take longer than buying from a breeder, but the rescue centre and the country you choose to adopt your dog from will play a huge part on how long it takes for you to become a dog owner. At the end of the day, these animals have not had an easy time and have ended up in a shelter for a reason, so the staff who are taking care of them will have to do everything they can to make sure you will be their final and forever home.
You Must Prepare Yourself
Once you have learned the basics (and more) about dog ownership and you have made a successful application for a rescue dog, the next thing you will need to do is prepare your home. This will include making it pet safe and purchasing all of the supplies your new dog will need. You’ll want to make your new addition to the family as comfortable as possible so take time choosing the all important dog bed. It’s up to you whether you look for a round bed, box bed, mattress bed or boutique dog bed. Just make sure you buy a bed that is the correct size for your dog and of good quality. Visiting a pet shop for pet food and pet supplies can be overwhelming and expensive, so to save you time and money, you should visit Time for Paws from the comfort of your own home. Here, you can take a look at an extensive range of products at low prices, to keep your pet happy and healthy.
Better Value for Money
Owning a pet isn’t all about getting everything as cheaply as possible, but saving money by doing something good is nothing to be ashamed of. Buying a puppy from a breeder in the UK will cost around £1000. The breed and bloodline will determine the official price of a pup, but there is no doubt that this is a hefty amount of money to pay. If you adopt, you will be looking at spending around £200-£300. This will include a health check, all the important vaccinations, essential spaying/neutering, microchipping and if you rescue from abroad, a pet passport – but don’t forget the cost of ownership.
Training Will Be Required
Unless you are purchasing a fully trained dog, your new rescue pup will need training. This is something that can put many people off rescuing a dog. However, if you don’t train a puppy from a breeder, then they may be the one ending up in a rescue. Knowing what motivates the dog that you are training will play a huge part in the best training method for them. The average age of a shelter dog is 18 months old, which means they are still young enough to learn. It is important to remember that bonding and training will not happen overnight, but it will be extremely rewarding.
You Will Save a Life
Depending on the shelter you choose to rescue from, there is a high chance that you will be saving a life. In the UK, it is estimated that around 20,000 dogs will be put down due to being homeless. This is because people would rather buy a puppy from a breeder due to a huge misunderstanding around adoption. If you want a specific breed or a puppy, it is important to remember that you can adopt. However, adult and senior dogs and mixed breeds are just as loving as a purebred pup, so try not to overlook them if you plan to adopt.
Adoption can be a long process, but so can purchasing a puppy. In most cases, adopting a dog will save you money and will save a life. Whatever you choose to do, you need to make sure you and your household are fully prepared to welcome a dog into their life and be their “fur-ever” home.
You can read about how Sid the dog came to live with us here: https://www.evans-crittens.com/2020/08/the-day-we-went-to-freshwater-east-and-sid-came-to-live-with-us.html
Not something ivw considered – thanks for te advice
Some great advice here, not everyone realises how much responsibility having a dog is.