Puppies seem to abound when it comes to poorly equipped breeders or people who have lost interest in them. Before you buy that puppy in the pet store window or call home about an ad in the local paper about buying a puppy, I implore you to visit your local animal shelter or rescue organization and adopt! a puppy! Too many homeless and stray animals of all ages do not have good, loving homes. It is an epidemic of massive proportions the number of stray dogs in our country that do not have a permanent family to love and care for them! Most people want that pedigree, new and bred from puppyhood.
A pedigree does not guarantee that your puppy or dog is well-mannered, healthier, or better trained than a mixed breed or undocumented dog. Shelter dogs are as if they weren’t better educated and trained. Many of them get excellent, top-of-the-line veterinary care because many veterinarians offer their services and care to local shelters. It is a myth that shelter dogs and puppies come from acts of violence or illness. Not true at all! Some of them are there because the owners thought they were ready for a pet, but found it was more time than they wanted to share.
Some reasons are that the owners see the “puppy” and when the “puppy” is no longer a puppy and they are not well equipped to take care of the dog, they throw him into a shelter or leave him to fend for himself. Puppies are even brought in because an owner’s dog was impregnated and was unable to care for the litter or give it away. Even in those cases of neglect, abuse, and violence, those dogs can be trained and receive therapy that results in perfect behaviors and temperaments. Here are some tips when you go to your local animal shelter to interview, and yes, you do need to interview at your local shelter! Not only for your benefit, but also for your possible canine friend forever.
Very important questions that should always be asked are: How do they take care of the dogs. Do they receive more than food and water? Does the animal shelter put an 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 visiting shelters. First of all, if you walk into a shelter and see puppies in cramped kennels or cages and this is where they have spent their entire stay at the shelter, you would not want to adopt ANY dogs from this place and maybe you should let the shelter know! Dogs that are kept in confined spaces, dirty, etc. they are being conditioned to foster fear of the outside world, trauma, stress and anxiety disorders, and other fears.
If a shelter does not allow their dogs to exercise or let them outdoors, then you need to ask how they are allowed to enjoy physical activity and stimulation. You will also want to know exactly how much and how often human contact is received. To add to your inquiry when interviewing a shelter, ask what services, such as pet insurance, courtesy veterinary visits, obedience classes, and newsletters on care and tips for introducing you to your new home, etc., after the adoption.
