Why a Rescue Dog is the Best Possible Pet
October isn’t all about scary stuff and Halloween fun… in fact, October is Adopt-a-Dog & Adopt-a-Shelter month. In a world where everybody wants new, the latest “hot item”, or a cute little puppy for a pet, there exists an entire section of canines that are waiting for a second chance in life. These dogs don’t have that “new dog” smell, they aren’t “just out of the package” and they aren’t usually “the latest and greatest models”… however, they are often older dogs, dogs who lived in bad situations, dogs with former (or current) health issues, dogs rescued from bad owners or puppy mills, and dogs who are just looking for someone to invest time and love into them.
The great news is that the numbers of dogs in shelters and rescues is on a slow and steady decline. As pets become family members instead of animals, fewer are tossed away like a pile of garbage, and people invest in the animals well-being and future. The days of a dog being “heard but never seen”, tied to a tree, or relegated to a small dog house tucked away in the corner of the backyard, are all but over. Dogs have front-seat access in the car, they have their own orthopedic beds, designer foods, bottled water, clothing brand dedicated to make them stand out in a crowd, ever growing vacation privileges at luxury hotels, parks devoted to their comfort, and eateries that allow them to dine with their parents. Most dogs are living their best lives, a life that would make their ancestors heads spin. Many couples, and singles, chose to share their lives with a dog and forego human children… or put off having human children till later in life. Dogs are often thought of as “stepping stone”, or test case scenario, that humans use to decide if they want to be parents. Think of a dog as “child-lite” in the parenting decision tree.
For clarity sake, lets put a BIG number on that “great news” about the number of shelter and rescue dogs declining… and it is really good news, remember that. Of the reported numbers there are roughly 3.1 million dogs that enter shelters and rescues (keep in mind that rescues are not required to report their intake and output, so that number could potentially be much larger). That is down over 300,000 dogs nation-wide since 2021, and 17 million less that the 1974 reported number in shelters of just over 10 millions dogs. That number continues to fall yearly. GREAT, right!! Well, it is… except for the 359,000 dogs that are euthanized each year in shelters. A percentage of those who are put to sleep are sick or elderly, but the vast majority are simply unwanted or unclaimed. Unless it is a clearly documented “no kill” shelter, any dog who enters the shelter system is on the clock from the moment of intake. There simply aren’t enough cages, resources, or the manpower to maintain the shelter population forever. Dogs die every day, sad… unloved… unwanted… and alone. It’s tragic when the majority could be stopped by something as simple as spay/neuter and better human decision making. Let’s be clear, the death of dogs by euthanize is on the hands of humans… we are the superior species, remember.
Rescues are a different type of environment and organization. A good rescue is one that is always searching for dogs to bring in, nurse back to health, provide love and some level of stability in the dogs life, then find a qualified family to re-home the pet FOREVER. Rescues normally get little funding (sometimes grants are available) and they rely on donations and support from the community, and founders are often using their own money to carry the enterprise forward. Rescues do more with less, their adoption process is more detailed and measured, with applications and home visits prior to letting a dog go to a new home. Rescue dogs are normally released to families with a full details and understanding of the dog previous life, any health issues, a good idea of behavioral issues, likes and needs of the dog, and the expectation that this is a one way ticket to “Forever-ville” for the animal. Every few rescue dogs bounce back to the rescue organization. The extra time and effort, and the higher price point to adopt, usually creates a more perfect fit for dog to family. Rescues often deal in entire dog families (mother and litter), sometimes have a large intake from a puppy mill who is abandoning older and used up breed dogs, and people who turn in dogs because of various reasons (behavior, moving to a new home that is not dog friendly, medical bills are too much for the family to absorb, not a “good fit”, or the dog was simply more than they bargained for… BTW, zero of these are good reasons and could have been avoided with better research and decisions by the human on the front end of the adoption process). Recuses are normally “Breed Specific” (and most are always making exceptions to that rule), they are stitched together with breed-loyal volunteers who simply love a certain type of dog and look out for their welfare, and work miracles with little funding. The people who are involved with a shelter are normally a bit possessive and aggressive when it comes to re-homing their dogs. It’s a labor of love that is a lifetime commitment for recuse workers, and they expect nothing less than a simple matching of that commitment from potential adopters. Rescue organization can put together a totally volunteer “transport network” for a dog to be moved within a state, region, or across the country. People use their own vehicles, money, time, and love, to drive a “leg” of the total transport distance. These are people who literally go the extra mile for their dogs. Most rescues have a “check in” process with the new pet parents that lasts months after the dog is adopted, just to assure both pet and parents are happy and thriving in the relationship. It’s a beautiful thing to watch and experience as part of their process.
Who are These Rescue Dogs?
The simple answer is they are all breeds, all sizes, all types, and all in need of someone to love them unconditionally. Large dogs and young adult dogs are the most common to go through intake at a shelter, with the “latest hot dog breed” being at the top of the turn in list. Some popular breeds like Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, and (oddly enough) Dachshunds are among the highest number of dogs at a shelter. There are reasons for this trend in breeds, most of these dogs are “working dogs” who are very smart, but when they lose their puppy cuteness and start to mature AND GROW they lose their appeal for humans that made knee-jerk and quick decisions to buy the dog… foregoing the needed research and soul search that should go on before a dog is brought into your home. However, the large majority of dogs at your local Animal Shelter are good old mutts. The mix-breed population is about 80% of the total dog intake in shelters. All ages, all sizes, all breeds are included. They come from various backgrounds, homes, situations, and are turned over to shelters for many reasons that are normally excuses to make the human who abandons them feel better about themselves. Most shelter dogs were never given a chance to adapt and adjust in a home situation or overcome some behavioral issues before they are turned in or dropped off. In a recent study of 12 shelter organizations, the average age of the dogs in their care was between 5 months and 3 years. The shocking stat is that the dogs had an average “in home” time with their families of only 7 months to a year before they were given up. The majority of shelter dogs are found wandering the streets, come from challenging situations and homes, or are surrendered by their families. They go from intake to medical exams, to cages where they stay for the duration of their stay at the shelter. It end one of three ways, they are reunited with their families who are missing them, they are adopted by new families and get a second chance at life, or they are put to sleep if they exceed their time in the shelter. The facts are clear, we often forgo the thought that pets might have feelings or emotions and discard them like garbage on the curb for trash day… shame on us.
As we mentioned before, most Rescues are breed specific, but the dogs they see are more likely to be pure-breeds, or a defined mixed-breed that features a certain breed in the mix. There is no age distinction for rescues, but they do get a lot of “families” (Mom & litter), senior dogs who are medically ill or who have lost their elderly parents to death. Rescues dogs are brought in, given medical attention and evaluation, stabilized, and then homed. That home could be in a cage at the Rescue, but often it is with a network of area “Foster Family” volunteers who attempt to build trust, integrate in to a pack, potty-train, socialize, and love the dog prior to putting the dog up for formal adoption and re-homing. The Rescue dog gets a more personal experience. It’s less like a dog prison system and more like a half-way or rehab for canines. (understand we are not knocking the Shelters… they do what they can with crazy numbers and little money. They are overwhelmed and understaffed). As we discussed above, the Rescue adoption process is more extensive and involved that the shelter. Rescues have less “bounce back” and the adoptions stick, and a lot of the reason is the details and extra research before the re-home.
Rescue dogs come from various sources…
Dogs at rescues and shelters are usually not trained at all, some haven’t even gotten the basic potty training needed to live indoors. A great deal are not spayed/neutered and haven’t undergone a medical exams since they were first adopted. In other words, the pet parents didn’t think through the cost or time needed to add a pet to their household… so they give up when it get hard.
So What is the Benefit of Adopting a Rescue or Shelter Dog?
The answer simple… it’s giving a dog a second chance (sometimes third or fourth chance) at a Forever Home. Sure it’s going to be work, lots of work. This dog will need constant reassurance, will likely take extra time to adjust to a new home situation, might need detailed training to undo their habits from a former life, and could even be depressed at first… but in the long run a Rescue/Shelter dog will be forever grateful for the life you give them. The loyalty of a second chance dog is just different, because they know what its like to not have that stability or bond. They have lived the life of abandonment and loneliness that a shelter/rescue dog can experience. You, the person who saved them, will be the single most important person in their life. They love deeper, stronger, and more completely because they have lost it all and you gave them a second chance. It’s a beautiful thing. Here is a short list of why you should seek out a shelter/rescue second chance dog…
Keep in mind that YOU will need extra patience, lots of challenging times at first, surprises (wanted and unwanted) and resolve to never give up until the battle to integrate has been won. As we’ve said multiple time so far, the HUMAN is responsible for success. Don’t try if you’re not committed to the long term success of the relationship. A dog will never give up on you, if you can’t match that output then simply forego getting a pet. YOU are the world to a dog, so you have to meet them at least half way. A dog is a “Forever toddler” who can’t speak English or communicate with you… enter the relationship knowing and understanding this. Be sure your ultimate target is a 10-12 year commitment of love, affection, fun, and growing old together.
Be sure a dog fits your lifestyle TODAY and for the future. Be sure you have the money to absorb all the additional costs (expected and unexpected). Be sure you have the space at your current home, and vow you’ll never move to a home where your dog is not welcome (or have a re-home backup plan with someone you love and trust). Commit the time, the patience, and have the responsibility to raise a dog as you would raise a child. Promise to be flexible and understanding in the face of difficult times of adjustment. These are all needed to incorporate any dog into your life, and especially critical for a 2nd chance dog.
If all of this sounds like a right fit for you, find out where your local animal shelter is and familiarize yourself with your local rescues. A quick internet search will give you unlimited options. Be sure you do your homework on breed and the entire impact a new dog will have on your life. Check off the list of things you’ll need to give this dog a good life. When looking for a dog, see multiple canines before you make a choice. You could go back to your first option… but don’t impulse adopt. Take time to really consider the choice before you commit and make a vow of “NO BOUNCE BACKS”.
We hope this in-depth look at the Rescue and Shelter process will lead you to Adopt-Not Shop, or at least do your research before you bring a new dog into your home and family. It’s such an important process to assure that dog, human, family, and life, is ready to absorb the good and bad of adding a dog to your life. NO BOUNCE BACKS!
It’s OctoBOOOer, and our “for fun” social media sites are lighting up with Howl-o-Ween Fun. We invite your to drop in on Freddie’s Fun Place to check out all the spooky madness of the season. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. We hope you’ll drop by.
Till next week, find a path that leads to your very best place in life… walk it like there’s no tomorrow, and find a furry friend to take along for the journey. Life is always better if you’ll just Be Pet Friendly! #FreddieSez
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