Puppies seem to be in abundance when it comes to ill equipped breeders or people that have lost interest in them. Before you purchase that puppy in the pet store window or call a home concerning an ad in the local paper about buying a puppy, I implore you to please go visit your local animal shelter or rescue organization and adopt a puppy! Too many homeless and stray animals of all ages are without good and loving homes. It is an epidemic of mass proportions the number of stray dogs in our country that are without a forever family to love and care for them! Most people want that pedigreed, brand new, and raised from birth puppy.
A pedigree does not ensure that your puppy or dog will be well mannered, any more healthy, or any well trained than a dog of mixed breed or a dog without papers. Shelter dogs are just as if not more well mannered and trained. Many of them get excellent and top of the line veterinarian care because many veterinarians volunteer their services and care to local shelters. It is a myth that dogs and puppies of shelters all come from acts of violence or sickness. Not true at all! Some of them are there because owners thought they were ready for a pet but found out it was more time than they wanted to share.
Some reasons are owners see the “puppy” and when the “puppy” is no longer a puppy and they are ill equipped to care for the dog then they cast it off to a shelter or let it fend on it’s own. Puppies are even brought in because an owner’s dog became impregnated and they could not care for the litter or give the litter away. Even in those cases of neglect, abuse, and violence those dogs can be trained and given therapy that result in perfect behaviors and temperaments. Here are some tips when going to your local Animal Shelter to interview, and yes it is necessary that you interview your local shelter! Not just for your benefit but for your potential canine forever friend.
Very important questions that should always be asked are: How they take care of the dogs? Do they get more than just food and water? Does the animal shelter place emphasis on socialization? Do they allow the animals to move around and interact with the other dogs?
There are a few things to look for when you visit shelters. First of those are if you walk into a shelter and you see puppies in cramped kennels or cages and this is where they have spent their entire stay while at the shelter, you will not want to adopt ANY dogs from this place and you should perhaps report the shelter! Dogs that are kept in cramped, dirty, etc. are being conditioned into furthering fear of the outside world, trauma, stress and anxiety disorders, and other fears.
If a shelter does not allow their dogs to be exercised or to be let outdoors, then you should ask how it is they are allowed to enjoy physical activity and stimulation. Also you will want to know exactly how much and how often human contact is received. To add to your query when interviewing a shelter is to ask what services such as pet insurance, complimentary vet visits, obedience classes, and do they newsletters following adoption on care and tips for introduction to their new home, etc…
About the author:
James is the owner of Your Dog Supplies Store an online dog supply store that focuses on the needs of dogs and dogs only. They have many different dog supplies such as food, treats, pet carriers, dog shampoo and so much more! Visit us first!